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November 2007 Issue
Down on the Farm, God's presence is felt everywhere
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Michels looked death in the eye, and, by God's grace,
death blinked. Sixteen years after he was diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis, Michels, a clock maker and
repairer, had a massive heart attack. "I flatlined three
times," he said. "I made a deal with God. I said, 'If
you get me out of this thing, I'm going to work with
you.'" That was in 1992. |
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Today, Michels helps others journey through
death and grief as part of his pastoral ministry at Holy Family
Catholic Church in Caledonia. "I have a very strong faith,
and I believe that people need to be able to talk about these
kinds of things," said Michels, 64, a native of The Netherlands
who arrived here as a teen. "I make the journey a little easier
for people who are dying." Recovering from his heart attack,
Michels met Holy Family members involved in the Stephen Ministry.
As he recovered, he became curious about the ministry and
eventually joined it.
"All these doors opened and wonderful things
happened. The spiritual path was just fantastic," he said.
"My wife (Suzanne) and I are still in awe." While his position
as one of 11 parish staff members takes Michels in many directions,
his bereavement ministry to Holy Family parishioners lies
close to his heart. He has training through Hospice of Michigan
and the American Academy of Bereavement. His training through
the Stephen Ministry has been crucial, as well "We do a lot
of the training as far as listening skills. That's essential
in bereavement counseling and hospice. You just have to be
there for people," Michels said.
"I start working with them on a spiritual
level with prayer and visits and Communion. I visit with them,
talk about the loved ones they're going to leave behind and
how they feel about the fact that they're dying," he said.
"I have to be painfully honest with people because they have
to face those things, but they're always grateful when I do."
Sometimes the call from the family comes shortly before the
death, but Michels said he has worked with the terminally
ill for as long as a year. He works in cooperation with hospice
services and chaplains. He also talks and prays with family
members, helping them to understand Scripture and church teachings
about death. "We walk very gently with them," he said.
"I prepare them how to say goodbye to their
loved ones and how to let go. Once they get to that point,
they feel good about what they've done. They let them go and
let them be at peace." Michels leads vigils and rosary devotions
at funeral homes and reading Scripture passages. Sometimes,
to support the family, he will personally read the poems or
eulogies grandchildren have funeral and memorial Masses and
Rites of Committal. He said that many Catholics are unfamiliar
with the fullness of the Order of Christian Funerals: Vigil,
Funeral Liturgy and rite of committal. Vatican II relaxed
the prohibition on cremation, he added. However, many people
want to scatter the ashes or divide them among family members,
practices which are not condoned.
"They have to be properly buried," he said.
"When somebody dies, their loved ones come into the office
and I sit down with them and go over all those options and
let them know what's proper." Although Michels' bereavement
ministry focuses on the Holy Family community, he said he's
happy to share his knowledge and experience to help parishes
establish their own. Journeying with families through their
grieving experience remains an emotional experience for him,
as well. "When I leave someone's home or the hospital, and
I'm drained or exhausted. I cry, too, but not in the presence
of the families.
When you're in ministry, you have to learn
to do those things," he said. Michels, father of two, grandfather
of four and greatgrandfather to one, has completed a portion
of the studies required to become a deacon. He said working
in bereavement has been a satisfying way of fulfilling his
long-ago promise to God. "Absolutely, it's a calling, because
without that I wouldn't be very effective," said Michels.
"I'm comfortable doing that because I think I make a difference."
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