Columban Sister Nora Wiseman prepared food at the medical clinic in Chunchon, South Korea, where Columban Sisters serve. Sr. Wiseman’s hospice program began in 1994 as an outreach program of the clinic.

For several weeks, Columban Sister Nora Wiseman with her nurses had visited Eun Sok Kim, the daughter of the woman who had called. Eun Sok, only 31, had uterine cancer. The family was heartbroken as they faced the loss of their beloved daughter.

That she had never married was seen as a terrible tragedy by this Buddhist family. If she were to die at home, they believed, her spirit would come back to haunt them. So they turned to Sr. Nora to help them at their daughter’s final hour.

If Eun Sok died in the hospice, they believed her spirit would be at rest. She arrived at the hospice and was cared for during her final two days. The family was particularly grateful for the welcome they as Buddhists received from these Catholic missionary Sisters and their team.

Soothing Body & Soul
Sr. Nora’s hospice care program began 11 years ago as an outreach program of a medical clinic in Chunchon, South Korea.

“People needed to be educated on the concept of hospice care,” said Sr. Nora, who is a registered nurse. “We wanted to assure the dying that we would support them throughout their illness and that they could call on us at any time, day or night.”

Because of the Sisters’ service, people suffering with incurable diseases, such as untreatable cancer, find hope. They have the assurance that they will not be left on their own, that their pain will not become unbearable. Most of the patients come through the clinic; others make contact when they hear about the care that is given.

All patients are carefully examined by a doctor, and a program of treatment is drawn up with the hospice staff.

“The role of the hospice staff is vital,” Sr. Nora said. “It is of paramount importance that we have good communication with each member. Thank God we have a wonderful team here in Chunchon.”

As the demands of the hospice grew, four nurses, a social worker and a pastoral care worker were added to the team.

“We nearly always find that it is important for people who know they are on the final lap of their journey to talk of things that really matter,” Sr. Nora said.

A New Hospice Home

March 2004 saw the opening of St. Columban’s Home in Chunchon, South Korea.

Sr. Wiseman (second from left) and other religious and local officials officially opened St. Columban’s Home in March 2004.

The center is Korea’s first-ever healthcare facility built specifically to care for the terminally ill and those suffering from other diseases associated with old age.

Columban Sister Nora Wiseman is the director of the center, which has a staff of 25, including Columban Sister Elizabeth Taaffe. Up to 50 residents can be cared for at the center.

The Korean government made a large contribution toward the center, and Sr. Wiseman has held fund-raisers, such as bake sales and bazaars in Chunchon, to make up the shortfall. Ongoing fund-raising efforts will continue to buy equipment and medication and pay for staff salaries and maintenance of the center.

“We ask if they want to see a Buddhist monk or a Protestant minister or a Catholic priest, as the case may be. The Korean pastoral worker has a great sensitivity to the fears and the hopes of the people.”

Changing Care-Giving Roles
Traditionally in Korea, it was the duty of the eldest son and his wife to care for his aging parents. A woman, for example, would take extended leave of absence to look after her dying mother-in-law.

This became nearly impossible to do during Korea’s depressed economy of the 1990s. So many lost their jobs that this kind of compassionate leave was no longer an option. Hospice care met a real need for caring families as it did for people who had no one to look after them.

Listening is at the very heart of hospice care.

“So many hidden problems begin to emerge as the weeks go by: financial problems, old enmities, tensions in the family and so on,” Sr. Nora said. “There may be a lot of psychic pain. It is vital to deal with this so the patient and the family can experience peace.”

Indispensable work is provided by the hospice’s team of volunteers. They visit hospice patients in the hospital and perform all sorts of kind acts that can make a difference to the lives of the terminally ill.

As the need has grown, the hospice team dreamt of a bigger facility to care for the dying. Unexpectedly, the family of one of the deceased patients gave the Sisters land on which to build a new in-patient hospice unit.

Hospice work is a big challenge for Sr. Nora and her team. But it is work they face with energy and faith for the sake of those who need help during the last days of their lives’ journey.