By Dubravka Kolumbic-Cortese | Correspondent

Critically-ill patients and their loved ones ride an emotional roller coaster while facing the prospect of physical death. Yet during such a difficult time, there are many end-of-life discussions that need to take place. Clear and open communication between both the patients and their loved ones can make the journey to eternal life less stressful for everyone.

“So often the missing piece is the totally truthful conversation with each other,” said Marge McGinley, pastoral administrator in Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, and a chaplain in Virtua Memorial Hospital, also in Mount Holly, for 10 years. “When we are not honest with people, we miss the opportunity to say and do what we need to do.”

The importance of communication when dealing with end-of-life issues from a Catholic perspective was the focus of “Consider the Catholic Conversation 2,” an educational workshop for those who minister to Catholic patients and their families. 

The 10th annual workshop was mediated by McGinley and sponsored by Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice’s Via Lucis Ministry for Catholic Patients and Families. This year’s event was held in collaboration with the Dioceses of Trenton and Camden on Feb. 24 in the gymnasium of Sacred Heart School.

“Our goal is building awareness for issues of how we can better enhance our lives while we are living with chronic illness, support the family and work with our healthcare system so our wishes can be honored,” said Carol Paprocki, director of communications for Samaritan.

According to Paprocki, Catholics make up the largest demographic group that Samaritan serves, and was the impetus for the establishment of the Via Lucis Ministry.

“We wanted to be sure that the hospice care we provide would be sensitive to our patients’ spiritual needs,” Paprocki said.

Workshop participants included a mixed audience of healthcare professionals, lay congregants, chaplains, priests and pastoral care personnel. It was open to members of any faith who minister to Catholic patients and their families.

After dinner, participants viewed a screening of the award-winning documentary, “Consider the Conversation 2: Stories about Cure, Relief and Comfort,” which explores the effect of American medicine’s success on the patient/doctor relationship and sheds light on the important role communication has in helping patients, doctors and family members navigate healthcare options through serious illness and end-of-life.

The participants then listened to the perspectives about the documentary that were shared during an expert Catholic panel discussion. Panelists included: Susan Berg, oncology nurse at Fox Chase Cancer Center and parish nurse; Dr. Thomas A Cavalieri, dean and professor of medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and chief of geriatrics at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden; Susan Cedrone, Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice social worker; Sister of Charity Patricia Codey, Esq., president of Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey, and Brother Thomas Osorio, OH, interim executive director of St. John of God Community Services.

Emphasizing the importance of building a rapport with the patient, family and others involved in the patient’s care, Cedrone urged participants to “Recognize that we are walking into a system that may already have dysfunction in it, and the medical piece is just adding to it.”

“We can help people live well, but we can also help people die well,” Cavalieri said, pointing out that affirming the value of human life transcends all religions.

He noted how the reception of the Sacraments “at the end of life are very important” because “it can be a time to help people come back to their faith.”

Brother Thomas added that it’s important to pay attention to what is and is not being said. “I’m a novice,” he told the audience. “I’m entering into a story because I’m invited.”

The use and cessation of feeding tubes was discussed at length in response to some audience members’ questions. Cavalieri pointed out that feeding tubes are meant to be for short-term use and do not really prolong life.

“It’s important for people to realize how we can align ourselves with the Catholic ethical teachings and to respect the inherent dignity of the person,” Sister Patricia said.

“When the burdens outweigh the benefits, it’s appropriate not to burden the body and family,” she added.

“It’s about the quality of life (of the patient),” Berg said.

“As Catholics, it’s OK not to try everything,” Sister Patricia said, explaining that artificial nutrition and hydration can also cause pain and complications for the patient. “I’m telling you, it’s OK to die and go to heaven on an empty stomach.”

“I think that when there is good communication amongst family and friends about end-of-life issues,” Cavalieri said, “it really makes for the wishes of the individual to be honored and fulfilled and makes for a dying process that could be very meaningful for the patient and family.

“The end of life is really the beginning of eternal life,” he said.

Sister Patricia agreed, saying, “For Catholics, it’s not about life here; it’s about life after.”

Vincent Okoro, a chaplain in South Woods State Prison, Bridgeton, was attending his third workshop.

“I keep learning new things every day,” Okoro said. “This discussion helps me to look at what is important and how to address these issues and how to talk to them about death.”