Little extras bring comfort to Porta Caeli House guests and their families

"It is hard to miss how expressions change and people happily react to our therapy dog,” says Mary Nole, Volunteer Coordinator for Porta Caeli House. “Or you see residents and loved ones close their eyes and relax as if being transported by the beautiful music. I love how surprised and pleased everyone is for the smell of food being prepared in the kitchen and the gift of a warm meal.”

You can feel a gentle spirit in the hallways...where God’s grace is palpable and where people speak in whispers and have soft smiles on their faces.

The mission of Porta Caeli House (PCH) is to provide compassionate end of life care when dying at home is not an option. While not a hospice facility, hospice care can be administered here. Primarily, it is a home where people come to live out their final days in a loving and supportive environment. And the staff and volunteers go to great lengths to honor the guests and comfort the families they leave behind.

"Most guests are here for an average of eight days before they pass on,” says Director Sharisa McDaniel. "Some choose Porta Caeli because of homelessness, some because they don’t want to die alone or because their loved ones can’t care for them. Others come simply because it is a caring environment.”

Of course, this is a challenging time for guests and their families, but the beauty of PCH is that it doesn't feel dark or sad. Fundamental care is given here similar to other end-of-life facilities, but the difference is the little extras designed to be uplifting and making it a place not to be feared, but a place to feel Christ’s love.

Celia Bisett brings Jake from State Farm, a registered therapy dog, for weekly visits to see the guests and their families. She says this is something she and her aging canine love to do.

“It’s a great way to see the guests, but also start a conversation with the family,” says Celia. “Often, people will start talking about their favorite pet and think about good life experiences.”

Volunteers serve homecooked meals to the patients and their visitors. Dan Coleman loves serving Catholic Charities Chef Michael Fusco’s homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

“Preparing and serving them dinner is a wonderful experience,” says Coleman. “Watching the bereaving families sit around the table in the dining room, eating dinner together, talking, telling stories and often laughing...these are the memories that we hope will carry these families through their grief.”

Another big hit is Mirella Sehl’s homemade meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

“There is nothing quite like cooking in the kitchen to make Porta Caeli feel like home,” says Mirella, who has been volunteering her cooking skills for several years.

A divine musical journey is happening here as well. A talented group of singers and musicians commune here every other week to comfort the residents through music in their final days and hours on Earth. The performers sing from a Taizé song book, a form of meditative music meant to invite the listeners to rest in God.

“Taizé songs create a gentle form of comfort for the dying,” says Ann Robers, the group’s director. “Taizé is designed to create a peaceful meditation.”

"It is hard to miss how expressions change and people happily react to our therapy dog,” says Mary Nole, Volunteer Coordinator for Porta Caeli House. “Or you see residents and loved ones close their eyes and relax as if being transported by the beautiful music. I love how surprised and pleased everyone is for the smell of food being prepared in the kitchen and the gift of a warm meal.”

Porta Caeli House wants to show the community that dying is the natural conclusion of life on this Earth, not something to be feared or avoided.

“These extra services are gentle distractions that create a sense of ease and comfort at this difficult time,” says Nole.

Porta Caeli is a community-supported home made possible through donors, volunteers, and staff. To learn more, visit portacaeli.org.