How can one enter into another's suffering without being overwhelmed, drained, useless? The author deals frankly with her own experiences of burn-out. Again and again, however, she describes the experience of grace and forgiveness where she finds her humanity affirmed and redeemed through the gift of those she serves. Meditates on the mystery of our wounded humanity, trying to wrest meaning and a spirituality of caring out of the reality of suffering.

Warm, honest, and highly personal, Sharing the Darkness meditates on the mystery of our wounded humanity, trying to wrest meaning and a spirituality of caring out of the reality of suffering. With unforgettable portraits of courage, love, and grace in its human form, Sheila Cassidy interweaves her own story and those of her patients with moving reflection on the gospels. What she ultimately shows is that the way to God is not different from the way to our own humanity.

This comprehensive and much-needed resource is for professionals and students in social care, who are required to engage with the spiritual dimension of their therapeutic work with clients. The authors, show how they have developed ways of applying their own and their clients' spirituality in their practice.

Gain greater depth of understanding of end-of-life spiritual issues for older adults The period of time when a person approaches death is always difficult both for the patient and the caregiver. Aging, Spirituality, and Palliative Care discusses best practices in aged and palliative care while addressing patients’ diverse spiritual

This wise and practical handbook, written by a palliative care physician and a priest with experience in hospice ministry, addresses the needs of the dying, their relatives and friends, and also those who provide support and care. Recognizing that these needs are physical, emotional, and spiritual, Care for the Dying draws on insights from current best practice in palliative care, pastoral experience, and theological reflection. It explores the following: --the availability of care for the dying person --communicating with the family --responding to a request for assisted suicide --forgiveness, reconciliation and anointing --saying goodbyes --the mystery of suffering --dying with dignity --supporting the bereaved --caring for the carers. Throughout, there is a helpful emphasis on understanding the care of the dying as a privilege as well as a responsibility, on the importance of proper self-care and of gaining strength from working as a team. Many people, including medical professionals and clergy, are fearful of what to say or do when faced with approaching death. This resource will deepen understanding and build courage and confidence.

In this long awaited follow-up to the best-selling An Altar in the World, Barbara Brown Taylor explores ‘the treasures of darkness’ that the Bible speaks about. What can we learn about the ways of God when we cannot see the way ahead, are lost, alone, frightened, not in control or when the world around us seems to have descended into darkness?

This book examines the services that chaplains provide to dying patients and the unique relationship that palliative care staff construct with people at the end of life. It explores the nature of hope when faced with the inevitable and develops a theory of spiritual care rooted in relationship that has implications for all healthcare professionals.