Volunteering as a hospice chaplain since 2020, Fr. Dave Bergner, SDS, ministers with two providers in the city of Melbourne and Brevard Country in Florida. “It’s about discerning a call to make ourselves available in loving service by opening our eyes and looking for Jesus in the eyes of the dying. It’s about visiting Jesus, who lives in every one of us,” Fr. Dave reflected. “It’s a walk of faith.”
As a chaplain, Fr. Dave becomes part of the hospice care team whose goal is to give every patient the highest quality of life possible, including spirituality as an important part. In this regard, the chaplain becomes an agent of spiritual transformation.
“American society has more elderly persons who not only try to live with decreased physical abilities and limitations but also face loneliness and isolation,” he said. “Hospice tries to counter the loneliness and isolation by helping the dying patient as well as family members accept the impending loss of the loved one.”
Fr. Dave offers the sick person a new sign of hope: the Laying on of Hands and the Anointing of the Sick with sacred oil accompanied by the prayer of faith from the Book of James the Apostle. “Is there anyone sick among you? He should ask for the priests of the church. They, in turn, are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. The prayer uttered in faith will reclaim the one who is ill, and the Lord will restore him to health. If he has committed any sins, forgiveness will be his.” (James 5:14)
“Of course, for the dying person, short of a miracle, the restoration of health refers to the restoration of spiritual health,” said Fr. Dave. “The sacrament is as much for the family as it is for the patient. All need spiritual healing and the eventual acceptance of God’s will regarding their loved ones. They can now perceive God’s presence in a new way that comforts and protects.”