Your Catholic Neighbor
Out of suffering comes service
Personal challenges help Rose Vandervest find way to serve people in need
By Sam Lucero
Compass Staff
GREEN BAY -- After raising four children with Paul, her husband of 41 years, Rose Vandervest wanted to serve God by serving others. She just wasn't sure what to do. The answer came in ways she never imagined.
Vandervest, a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, where she sings in the choir, is participating in the Clinical Pastoral Education Program of Green Bay and the Fox Valley. Through classes and supervised training, she is learning to minister to hospital patients and their families. Her goal is to work as a pastoral care associate, offering comfort and spiritual support to people in crisis situations.
Vandervest explained that it was through her own personal crises that she learned about the spiritual counseling field.
"I've always felt the need to do more," said Vandervest, "because I have a deep faith in God and his desire to bring people to him. For many years I was a full-time mom and that was probably my vocation in life."
Diagnosed with breast cancer
In 2005, Vandervest was diagnosed with breast cancer. "I was very fortunate. It was caught early," she said. "I had a full mastectomy and I'm on medication. A few months after my breast cancer I had some real emotional issues."
While she was struggling emotionally, a close friend came to her aid, stopping in to visit and lending a comforting presence.
"She wouldn't call or anything, she would just come and be there," said Vandervest. "That's a time that I learned to lean on people. And to see how important it is for people just to listen."
The experience opened her eyes to the ministry of presence. "I keep telling (her friend) that she does it so naturally. I just need some training," said Vandervest.
Tragedy struck again in July 2006. While driving with four of her grandchildren, who were visiting from Rapid City, S.D., a semi-truck pulled out in front of her car on Highway 29. The impact totaled her car and left one of her grandchildren, Hannah, who was 10 at the time, unconscious and in critical condition.
Hannah was airlifted to St. Vincent Hospital, where she was placed in intensive care. After two weeks at St. Vincent, she was transferred to Children's Care Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. She remained there for two weeks and was sent home to continue therapy.
A special angel
"We didn't think she was going to make it," said Vandervest, still emotional from the memory. "She's doing very well, thanks to all of the prayers - and a special angel."
That special angel was a stranger who appeared at the accident scene, explained Vandervest.
"I was very upset, lying on the ground. People were tending to me. I had four of my grandchildren with me. The (others) were fine, but Hannah was out. I was just praying the Our Father with my arms out like that," she said, gesturing with her open arms.
"I looked over my shoulder and there was someone standing there. He had a long black garb on and a white collar, like a pastor of some kind," recalled Vandervest. "He was just standing there and smiling at me. I said, 'Please go pray for Hannah. Go bless Hannah,' and he went over there and he did."
The mysterious cleric was never identified.
"The chief of police from Bonduel said that he'd never heard anyone speak in that dialect. They didn't see a car, but they said he was there," she continued. "He did come back and say something to me. I don't know what it was and it was hard to understand the dialect. I really think it was an angel. And that's what the chaplain told me when we got to the hospital. That just helped all of us."
Called to offer spiritual support
After experiencing the hospital chaplain's spiritual support, Vandervest knew this was what she was called to do.
"The chaplain at the hospital was just so wonderful. She was just there and very supportive. She was really someone for my daughter to lean on," she said.
Vandervest learned about the CPE program from Franciscan Sr. Geraldine Krautkramer, program director, who gave her a brochure and introduced her to class participants.
"They told me a little bit about themselves and I felt like, well I think I can do this," she said. "I knew that it was quite lengthy and involved, but it was something that I really
wanted to do."
Intensive training
Vandervest entered the CPE program last September. The 30-week course concludes in April. Students participate in 300 hours of clinical experience and 100 hours of classroom study.
"Some (training takes place) at nursing homes and some are at hospitals," said Vandervest. "We actually work with patients under the guidance of a clinical coordinator. Every time I affect - we don't say visit, we say affect - a patient, I'm just overwhelmed at what I learn myself."
She finds that most people have some religious background "even though they may not have a faith."
"Before I go in to see them, I usually say a prayer to the Holy Spirit because I know it's not me going in there. I know I'm going in as a servant of God," said Vandervest. "Through the program, we learn what to say to help people tell their story. Usually when someone can tell their story, they can say a lot more and can lift it up to God."
Vandervest is one of five people participating in the program this year. "My site is at St. Mary's Hospital," she said. "Everyone there has been just so helpful and supportive."
The Vandervests plan to move north to Minocqua later this year, when Paul retires from his job. Rose said she has already inquired about ministry opportunities in Minocqua, which will
make the difficult transition easier.
Vandervest knows that good can come out of difficult circumstances. It's a message she preaches to hospital patients, and it's something she experienced first-hand.
"We don't lean on God as much as we should, and when we learn to lean on God, we realize how close he is to us," she said. "I'm glad I'm able to do this now. I feel it's an honor. It's bringing me closer to God."
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