At the bottom of the page are the graduates of the first and second Angels of Mercy Support Care Givers Class conducted by Nan Weber, LVN.  The Angels go through 10 weeks of training in the special service and ministry of helping the primary caregiver to perform his or her job.  The course includes 6 hands- on hrs. during which they visit the homes of Care Givers to assist them in whatever way they can to lift their burden of service.

The Angels learn many things: from the signs and symptoms of the major illnesses and diseases and handicaps that commonly afflict those who are elderly, to safety issues and how to solve them.

Communication skills are taught to help volunteers deal with differing family structures and cultural and religious perspectives dealing with death, illness and the approach to medicine.

 Safety issues are of great concern and the Angels are taught how to spot potentially dangerous situations and how to solve the problem through helping families with plans for upgrading and perhaps changing things in the home that would make getting around dangerous.

They are taught the importance of cooking and serving an appetizing and nutritious meal.

The importance of the Spiritual Journey of those near death has a central place in this course.  The impact which the volunteers own spiritual journey has on their care giving is discussed.

The  home is a Respect Life environment where food, water, cleanliness and warmth and comfort care (the principles of ordinary care) are part of the primary focus.  Added to that are fellowship, reading and moving about the home as desired.

Healing while participating in the class is a common experience by all as personal attitudes toward death and dying surface and are shared in class discussions.  Others learn to listen, with their hearts, more closely to what is being said by "the other person".

Pictured here with the Angels of Mercy are the materials used during the course.  The participants receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course which can be included in a resume.  The course cost is $60 which is for the materials which include a text and workbook. 

The class sessions are enriched by multimedia materials, guest speakers, text and discussions all of which add to the interest and depth of the personal experience.