Although it can be hard to accept, death is a stage in all of our lives. Through the Angel Vigil program, Catholic Community Hospice provides around-the-clock bedside volunteers, so that patients and their family members don’t have to go through these final hours alone.

Catholic Community Hospice Volunteer Director, Bonnie Krause, provides training to those interested in serving as a hospice volunteer. she recommends that new volunteers spend their first six months volunteering with patients, before sitting with the dying. Depending on the faith of the patient, Angel Vigil volunteers read a passage from the Bible or perhaps a spiritual book or favorite novel, say prayers, play comforting music or sometimes just sit silently holding the patient’s hands.

Barb Trum had thought, off and on, about volunteering for hospice, but wasn’t sure she could handle it. As her faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother and Saint Teresa of Calcutta deepened, she knew this was the ministry God called her to do. After much discernment, she contacted Catholic Community Hospice.

Barb has become passionate about her volunteer service and knows she’s where she should be.

“I’m an earthly angel,” she says, “sent by God to walk with these patients on their final journey.”

To participate in this beautiful ministry and become an end-of-life care volunteer, complete a hospice volunteer interest form available online at: catholiccommunityhospice.com/volunteer