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A “retirement” filled with healing service Continuing our healing charism in our “golden years” is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to others today. For Sister-Doctor Myrtle Keller, who lives in Chula Vista, California, retirement from the active practice of medicine has brought new opportunities to be of service. As she says, “There is no aspect of our life that does not ask us to reach out in service in one way or another. Everything that we know calls us to make our knowledge, gifts and skills available for another’s use.” As a volunteer with Sharp Hospice, Sister Myrt takes lunch to one patient every Sunday afternoon and spends time visiting with her. She has made herself available to take other patients to the doctor, or to stay with hospice patients when their usual caregiver is away. “I make eleventh hour visits – visits made at the time that a hospice patient is actively dying, either in their own home or in a care facility. This is a precious time for me. Often the patient’s family members are present, but sometimes there is no family member who can be with them.” Sister Myrt adds, “I also make ‘Care Bears’ for hospice – teddy bears made from garments of deceased persons whose families have requested us to make the bears for family members of the deceased.” The Committee for Underserved Women of the California section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists brought Sister Myrt into contact with a group of Ob-Gyn doctors like herself. They focus on those who have little or no access to care, such as persons who are incarcerated, immigrants, elderly or disabled. “We are attempting to find out where the gaps are in their care, and how we might bridge those gaps,” Sister explains. Sister Myrt also volunteers as a reading tutor with young people, and hosts gatherings of our Sisters, Associates, and friends. “I can never thank God enough for having brought me to the Medical Mission Sisters’ family and for having given me the abilities and strength to live my particular life of service.” July 1, 2009
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