Help accompany people feeling isolated or facing end-of-life issues

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SALT LAKE CITY – A free virtual training to help people “gain the confidence to journey with those who are suffering social isolation, sick, or dying, to renew their hope and purpose in life” will be offered by the Diocese of Salt Lake City Office of Family Life and the diocesan Respect Life Commission.

“We live in a time of loneliness, of lack of connections, particularly during the pandemic. The elderly in our community have been living in isolation from friends and family for a long time,” said Catherine Stokes, chairperson of the Diocesan Respect for Life Commission. “Speaking with Catholics around the diocese, many have expressed a strong desire to find better ways to reach out to those among us who would like more support.”

The virtual training, titled “Being With,” will take place April 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. There will be two speakers: Genevieve Schadenberg, director of Compassionate Community Care; and Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

“Mr. Schadenberg has been working on so many aspects of euthanasia prevention,” said Stokes.

Schadenberg has increased awareness of hospice/palliative care, and effective methods of controlling pain and suffering, “educating the public on the harm and risks of promoting euthanasia and assisted suicide,” she added.

Schadenberg also helps people advocate on behalf of people who are vulnerable, and works closely with Compassionate Community Care, Stokes said.

The CCC “is a registered charity of health care professionals and volunteers who provide support to vulnerable persons and their families during times of illness and crisis,” the organization’s website states. “CCC aims to provide a complete circle of care that recognizes and respects the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of those involved.”

The need for this type of training came into focus in 2016, after Canada legalized euthanasia, Stokes said.

“The Schadenbergs quickly realized that people were primarily requesting death by lethal drugs because they were going through a difficult health condition, but the wish to die was primarily connected to loneliness, depression and feelings of hopelessness,” she said. “Those human feelings are universal and therefore affect all of us. Visiting and being with people in their time of need is paramount.”

During the April 29 training, Genevieve Schadenberg will discuss that all human life has equal dignity, “and that every person deserves to be treated with respect and compassion while receiving the care they need and deserve,” Stokes said.

“For our elderly, who may have unmet fears, situational depression, loss of hope, or be living in existential distress, we can learn about how to be with and care for them, and how to reduce loneliness and the fear of suffering,” Stokes said.

To participate in the training, register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsfuqvqzMsEtT8wflfZ6tvHS3iBmwVHpg8. A confirmation email containing the information about the zoom webinar meeting will be sent. Participants also will receive a training manual and “My Story” workbook.