Working with those who are terminally ill is one of the hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today.

Sister Pat Travaline, a nurse with a Master's Degree in Public Health, is in mission in St. Petersburg, Florida, with those who are seriously ill. She works as a Hospice volunteer for several hours each week with patients in their home. "As part of the Hospice team, I do whatever the patient needs," she explains. "This ranges from feeding or changing his/her position, to playing cards or praying. At times, it means just being present."

"My most challenging case was a woman in the final stage of Lou Gehrig's disease," she shares. "She could only breathe and blink her eyes. We communicated with a spelling card, requiring me to point to each letter and her to blink once (yes) or twice (no) as we built words and sentences. It was amazing to witness her deep faith and loving spirit as she made her final journey."

Sister Pat's ministry in St. Petersburg also includes persons living with HIV/AIDS. She initially became involved in this work over 15 years ago, while in mission in Nangina, Kenya. "I think that there is perhaps no more complex and challenging issue than the AIDS epidemic - touching, as it does, the very core of the person, the family, the community," she reflects.

Each week, Sister Pat facilitates a support group of women with HIV/AIDS. "We share information about staying healthy, resources, and research findings," she says. "I encourage them to be pro-active on their own behalf in accessing services that they need."

"Finally, I liaize with several counselors and case managers, some of whom deal with women recently released from jail, to try to provide follow-up treatment, education, and support for those with HIV/AIDS," she adds.

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