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Office of Parish Outreach Ministries/Health Care Ministry |
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End of Life Issues
EducationA Collaborative Effort to Serve Parishes of the Archdiocese of Boston Come to Me; Concerns at the End of Life; Burying the Dead; Bereavement Suport In Support of Life is a strategic plan adopted by the Bishops of Massachusetts to promote formation, education, policies and services that ensure compassionate and competent care of the dying. The plan is in response to the proposal to legalize physician-assisted suicide and to Pope John Paul II’s invitation to the universal Church to build a "civilization of love" and a "culture of life". ********************************************************************************************************* Parishes or clusters are urged to schedule one or more of the programs offered in this brochure to provide parishioners with an opportunity to reflect upon critical issues related to the end of life. Please contact the sponsoring agencies for further information and available dates. Outlines are available for all the presentations.
Suggested stipend is $100 for a two hour presentation,plus materials (if applicable) and travel. ************************************************************************************************************** Morning, Afternoon or Evening Reflection on The Mystery of Suffering and Death The reality of suffering and death in our life and in that of a loved one can leave us feeling hopeless, fearful, anxious and alone. Faith, however, can offer hope, confidence, peace and companionship in the process of passage into eternal life. This time of prayerful reflection will invite participants to look at the nature and place of death in their spiritual journey. It will focus on the hope gained from living the Chrisitain life while facing the reality of suffering. Option 1: For all adult parishioners. Option 2: For those who are experiencing the effects of life threatening illness. Option 3: For caregivers. All options will include: • a conference • common prayer • periods for quiet prayer and reflection • faith sharing Included are: • a director for the time of reflection • prepared prayer services The time of reflection can be offered: • for one parish • for a cluster of parishes • for other communities of the faithful • in the morning, afternoon or evening Possible locations include: • the parish • another site For further information contact: Office of Spiritual Development The Christian understanding of death is often obscured in the contemporary climate by fear, confusion and the debate associated with physician-assisted suicide. This three session workshop will attempt to clarify the issues and promote a Christian response. Session 1: A Catholic Perspective on Death and Dying • The death-denying American culture • Myths and realities of physician-assisted suicide • A faith response to life and death Session 2: Spiritual and Emotional Needs at End of Life • Emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual concerns • The role of the care giver • Seeking meaning in the experience Session 3: The Importance of Planning for End of Life • Integrating Catholic teaching and personal values • Advanced care planning and health care proxies • Applying ethical principles to treatment decisions For a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, we encourage scheduling all three sessions. However, it is possible to present any of the above as an individual offering. Establishing a Parish Ministry to the Dying In Support of Life encourages parish communities to develop outreach to the terminally ill and their caregivers. With effective leadership, parish volunteers can provide practical assistance, emotional support and spiritual outreach. For this workshop, a representative from a parish with an established and effective ministry to the dying will present an overview of their program and discuss the process for developing it. For further information contact: Office of Parish Outreach Ministries/Health Care Ministry; Office of Religious Education Burying the Dead: A faith response At all times, but in a special way at the time of death, the Church proclaims the hope that is ours in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A deceased member of the Church has a right to the fullness of the funeral rites and the bereaved must never be allowed to feel that they grieve alone.
As part of its ministry, the Catholic Cemeteries Office offers a program which invites the faithful - parishioners, pastors, and funeral directors - to explore and gain a fuller understanding of the Church’s Belief, Prayer and Pastoral Care at the time of passage through Dying, Death and Burial. The Order for Christian Funerals will be the primary source for this program which will be offered either in a one time Overview format or as a Series - three 2 hour days or evenings. We encourage cluster group participation. This offering will focus on the stages of ritual attending on the death and burial of the Catholic Christian. • Rituals from the time of death to the principal liturgy including vigil and prayer services at key moments. • Funeral Mass or the liturgy outside Mass. • Rite of Committal at place of entombment or burial.
For further information contact: Catholic Cemeteries Office; Office for Worship Bereavement Outreach: Faithful Companions Grief, the normal response to loss, extends over a period of time. The Christian community is called to understand the grieving process and to offer support to the bereaved. The following workshops are available to parishes to educate their members about the dynamics of grief and to establish an effective outreach ministry. One or both may be scheduled. Workshop 1: An Introduction to Grief; • Understanding loss and the process of grief.• Expressions of grief: emotional, spiritual, behavioral.• Pastoral responses.• Faith resources. Workshop 2: Starting a Bereavement Outreach Program This program presents an overview on recruiting, training, and supporting parish volunteers to become competent companions on the journey after a death. • Pastoral support: visitation at the time of death; assistance with the Rite of Christian Funerals; parish memorial liturgies.• Practical support: elder, child and home care, transportation, preparing meals and hosting the post funeral collation.• Ongoing support: follow-up letters and cards; person-to-person networking; bereavement support group. • Grief education: listings of support groups, counselors, and agencies; parish resource library. For further information contact: Office of Parish Outreach Ministries/Health Care Ministry
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