A Day in the Life of...
On this page one of our sisters give a brief account of what life is like for her as she lives her life as a Religious Sister of Charity.
SR. ROSE CASHMAN
My name is Sister Rose Cashman; I live in St.
Andrew’s Convent, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.
We are seven in community, each one involved in
different ministries including Hospital and Hospice
chaplaincy and Parish ministry. I am well past
retirement age but have the privilege to be a
presence at our Day Hospice three days a week from
10 o’clock until 3 o’clock, after which
I visit some of the patients on the wards.
Having spent over 50 years in England in Pastoral
ministry, two Agencies and 8 years as Provincial
Bursar, I moved to Scotland in 2004 and settled
into life here very quickly – they are a
lovely people.
My day begins at 6.30 - after breakfast I say
Morning Prayer of the Church, followed by 1 hour
meditation on the Scripture to begin my day in
contact with God from whom I receive the graces
necessary to go through the day. I usually say the
Rosary before I go to the Day Hospice at 10
o’clock. As the patients arrive I make them a
drink of tea or coffee and serve them with a nice
home-made scone, which is always welcomed as some
of them have had a long journey. Transport is
provided by our own coaches which are driven by
volunteer drivers and by “Cancer Care”
drivers.
At 11 o’clock I attend Mass in our Hospice
Chapel, some patients appreciate the opportunity to
come to Mass as they are not able to attend Sunday
Mass. After Mass I spend time chatting with the
patients and our Spiritual Adviser reads a story
(with a moral) concluding with the Our Father.
Lunch is served at 12 o’clock in our very
nice bright dining room. There is a three course
meal which is cooked in the kitchen by our
dedicated staff – patients choose their own
meals from the menu. In the afternoon we have
Exercises, mostly in sitting position followed by
Tai-Chi from members of our Physiotherapy team and
short relaxation exercises from our Occupational
Therapists – the patients enjoy these
exercises and appreciate them. I attend all of
these with the patients. After this we play cards,
dominoes, bingo or Scrabble then a cup of tea or
coffee with a biscuit or cake is served at 1.40.
Meanwhile the patients receive various therapies;
they see the doctor and can talk with the nurses
about their medication etc. For many patients this
is their only day out of their house – they
say when at home the day drags, but when at the Day
Hospice it just flies! While each day we have
different people it is extraordinary how they jell,
communicate and are caring for each other. There is
a lovely atmosphere, the rooms are bright, nicely
decorated, there are nice pictures on the walls and
the chairs and foot-rests have been specially
chosen for the comfort of the patients.
One gentleman who, when he first came to us was
using a Zimmer frame and did not communicate with
anyone (just kept his eyes down), after a few
weeks, while I was playing cards with another man
kept looking over under his eyes. When the first
man was called to see the doctor I asked him if he
would like to play a game of cards – to my
surprise he said “Yes”. The next week
he said to me “I will get the cards”;
he now comes in with a smile on his face, walking
straight as a dye just using a stick and enjoys any
game. Another man who had a brain tumour some years
back does not talk to anyone but loves to play
cards. Sometimes one of the staff will play with
him in the morning and I usually spend the
afternoon with him. His usual comment before
leaving is “I enjoyed that”. His sight
and memory are affected and often he says to me
“What is your name?”
Some patients are anxious on their first visit and
I make it a point to sit and talk and listen to
them. They usually go home happy and return the
following weeks.
When I visit the wards it is usually patients who
have attended Day Care I meet and then I get to
know the other people and say a little word to
them. Today, one person I met, who had been in
hospital for 6 weeks and is waiting for a new flat,
said to me “This is like a four star hotel!
The staff is very dedicated; nothing is too much
trouble for them and the food excellent”.
This is the usual comment from all the
patients.
As in all Hospices, there is an atmosphere of
peace. The doctors, nurses, therapists, social
workers and chaplains work as a team in a way in
which they demonstrate a deep respect for the
dignity of each person.
Our sisters were responsible for the building of
St. Andrew's Hospice, 25
years ago, having previously worked in
Assumption House, which was a Nursing Home. We
depend a lot in donations, the people here are
very generous. They go on 6km or 10km walks,
climb local hills and mountains, and have done
treks in China, Peru and the Canadian Rockies
– all to raise money for the Hospice. The
school children have Fun-Days in the park,
senior grades go climbing and on walks –
all organised from the Hospice in co-operation
with the staff in the schools. These are very
enjoyable events.
When I come home I usually take a short rest until
prayer time. We have Evening Prayer and supper
together and spend some time talking and sharing,
where we gain support and encouragement from each
other. I enjoy reading, doing puzzles, listening to
music and at the weekend one of the sisters in
community would take me to a nearby park or loch. I
am not able for much walking, but take short walks
and enjoy watching the people (young and old) as
they pass by, the swans, ducks and birds.
At 85 years I thank God for all his blessings and
to allow me to still be in contact with people.
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