| Volunteer
Programs
Additional Keystone Hospice
Volunteer Profiles:
Fundraising Auctioneer
Connie Mazzochetti
Conductor
Michael Johns and the Here’s to Life Orchestra
Dr.
Frank Bernt, Director of the Faith-Justice Learning Institute, St. Joseph’s
University
Bedside
Harpist Marilyn Lemke
Nonagenarian
(and Former House Resident!) Mary Rose Nuse
"Multi-Purpose"
Volunteer Sue McElroy
Keystone's
First Couple: Art & Shirley Rowe
"Office
Angel" Margaret Henderson
Holiday
Food Drive at Lansdale Catholic High School
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Reverend
Joseph Craddock &
Sister Mary Early
Usually we feature one volunteer in this column, but Reverend Joseph Craddock
and Sister Mary Early work so closely together it would be hard to speak
of one without the other. As members of the Germantown Church of the Brethren,
they serve Keystone Hospice through an active ministry that benefits our
patients, families and staff in countless ways.
Keystone’s relationship with the Church of the Brethren began about
10 years ago after a beloved member of the Church's Board died at Keystone
House. In gratitude for the compassionate care he had received and to
honor the wishes of his wife, the Church pledged to become involved with
our hospice. Reverend Craddock and Sister Mary were assigned to do this
ministry, and with open hearts and minds, they began visiting our patients
to provide spiritual support and comfort. Reverend Craddock admitted that
he initially had reservations about serving in a environment that cared
for terminally ill patients and whether he could offer hope in situations
where there seemed to be no hope. For Sister Mary, the setting was a challenge
because she had been dealing with her own husband's struggle with cancer.
But through their faith and with encouragement from Keystone Hospice staff,
they each worked through these doubts and realized the extent to which
they could be of service.
Around this time, Keystone received funding from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation to launch a Faith in Action program designed to bring together
people from diverse religious communities to help their neighbors in need.
Reverend Joseph and Sister Mary were instrumental in helping to establish
the Faith in Action program at Keystone Hospice. “The Faith in Action
program broke down so many barriers between religions and culture,”
recalled Sister Mary, who embraced the fellowship and spirit of the project.
Their service included providing pastoral support to Keystone House residents
as well as to those receiving hospice services in their homes. Rev. Joseph
and Sister Mary also launched the property care ministry, which provides
assistance with yardwork and house-cleaning.
These two dedicated volunteers have consistently ministered to our patients,
bringing comfort through music and song as well as through sacred scripture
and the spoken word. They participate regularly in special events, including
our annual Service of Remembrance, and they currently provide a weekly
Christian service at Keystone House that patients have described as inspirational
and comforting. As Sister Mary says, “Each step strengthens you,
and when you minister, you get ministered to and lifted up. You don't
take life for granted.”
We could not be more grateful for the spiritual gifts that Reverend Joseph
Craddock and Sister Mary Early have brought to Keystone Hospice. Their
ever-ready smiles, compassion and generosity of spirit enrich and comfort
us all.
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