Grief and Dying
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1) Barr, Robert. How to Talk to Your Children About…Death and the Afterlife. Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 1993.
Reference Number: B-00072
2) Bartocci, Barbara. From Hurting to Happy. Notre Dame, Indiana: Sorin Books, 2002.
"Divorce, death, betrayal, loss of home, unemployment...profound loss takes many forms and involves more than grief. It often means the loss of security, lifestyle, and the sense of belonging. To move away from the pain of loss, you must accept where you are and move forward. Getting on with your life is what it's all about. Barbara Bartocci tells how--pairing the porgnant stories of many people who have suffered deep loss with practical suggestions for transforming pain into the joy of a life that is fulfilling and complete--even if it is not the life you though you would have."
Reference Number: B-00209
3) Bartocci, Barbara. Nobody’s Child Anymore: Grieving, Caring, and Comforting when Parents Die. Notre Dame, Indiana: Sorin Books, 2000.
“All grieving takes time. It can’t be hurried or covered up. But grieving for a parent can be especially complicated. What it your relationship wasn’t very good? What if there are unresolved issues? What if you must care for a living parent in the midst of your own grief? Barbara Bartocci, who has lost both of her parents, approaches all the hard questions with compassion, a hopeful outlook, and a wealth of practical wisdom.”
Reference Number: B-00076
4) Byron, William J., S.J. Answers from within Spiritual Guidelines for Managing Setbacks in Work and Life. New York, New York: Macmillan USA, 1998.
“Combining scripture, prayer, his knowledge of the corporate world, and examples from the lives of people he has counseled, William J. Byron leads us through the process of building a practical spirituality that provides a compass for people seeking to balance life and faith. Answers from Within is a unique book that includes principles of action and spiritual guidelines that can transform the way we deal with the commitments and reversals that are part of the “human predicament.””
Reference Number: B-00077
5) Davidson, Glen W. Death: What do You Say to a Child?. Springfield, Illinois: ORG Service Corporation, 1979.
Reference Number: D-00043
6) Dawson, Ann. A Season of Grief: A Comforting Companion for Difficult Days. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2002.
"This book is a remarkable collection of quotations, personal reflections, and prayers intended for those who find themselves in their own "season of grief." The insights and stories from Ann Dawson's own experience after the death of her son are carefully placed alongside the comforting and often inspiring words of writers like C.S. Lewis and Kahlil Gibran. Whether you've lost a child, a spouse, a parent, or a friend, A Season of Grief promises to be a comforting companion in the difficult days ahead."
Reference Number: D-00096
7) Del Zoppo, Patrick M. Mourning: The Journey form Grief to Healing. Staten Island, New York: Alba House, 1995.
“There is no rehearsal for the death of a loved one or for the grief which inevitably follows. But knowing what to expect and how others have handled themselves in similar situations can be very helpful. Faith in God, rest, prayer, activity and recreation are just a few of the many important elements which move the healing process along during the period of mourning. Acknowledging the fact of the loss, coming to accept it and to understand it at least in part, entering into the pain of grief and expressing it to others are some of the milestones along the journey from grief to healing. “Joy shared is joy increased, grief shared is grief diminished.” This is the thread which runs throughout this little book which is filled with compassion, understanding, empathy and valuable information for one who is in mourning, who is facing the death of a loved one, or who must minister to or counsel those who have undergone or anticipate undergoing a painful loss.”
Reference Number: D-00044
8) Felber, Marta. Finding your Way after your Spouse Dies. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2000.
“If you have suffered the death of your spouse, you have experienced one of the most painful and disorienting experiences life can offer. In the days immediately following the loss, you may need everything form advice on finances to a home-cooked meal. But there is nothing you need more than the warm, reassuring voice of one who has traveled this path before…and survived.”
Reference Number: F-00024
9) Friesen, Lynette. After Goodbye: A Daughter’s Story of Grief and Promise. Notre Dame, Indiana: Sorin Books, 2005.
“Have you ever walked wit ha loved one who was preparing for death? Are you struggling with the meaning of the experience and how it has changed you forever? In After Goodbye, author Lynette Friesen, SSND, shares her spiritual journey, wit hits painful struggles and life-shaking challenges, through the last years of her mother's life. Step by step, she relates heartfelt and detailed accounts of the various aspects of her mother's diminishment. Her open, familiar, and insightful telling invites readers to participate through the embrace of shared experience. In revealing the depths of her own spiritual struggle, Friesen encourages others to reflect on theirs. She provides questions after each chapter to help readers facilitate the process. After Goodbye offers a window to self-reflection, encouraging readers to explore and share their own stories of caregiving and grieving.”
Reference Number: F-00099
10) Gilbert, Richard. Finding your Way after your Parent Dies. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1999.
“The experience of losing a parent in death is almost universal—and yet many who feel this loss for the first time are surprised at how painful it can be. Even those well into adulthood are often taken aback by the deep sense of loneliness, the sense of being “orphaned,” that the death of a mother or father can bring. In Finding your Way after your Parent Dies, Rev. Richard Gilbert has created a compassionate guide for those struggling with the loss of a parent. Bringing many years of experience in bereavement counseling, Gilbert sketches out some of the issues that arise in the wake of a parent’s death and offers practical suggestions for navigating these difficulties. From the disorientation that can come immediately after death to relating to the surviving parent to healing old emotional wounds, the topics dealt with here will be of tremendous help to many.”
Reference Number: G-00020
11) Green, Carol Ann. Help & Hope for the Bereaved. Lexington, South Carolina: New Road Ministries, 1998.
Reference Number: G-00021
12) Grief and Loss: Learning you are No Alone. St. Paul, Minnesota: International Marriage Encounter, Inc., 1987.
Reference Number: 00350
13) Hutchison, Joyce and Rupp, Joyce. May I Walk you Home? Courage and Comfort for Caregivers of the Very Ill. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1999.
“Walking a companion home is an old-fashioned custom, often lost in our modern era. But there was once a time when walks home from school, from church, or from a dace were commonplace. Walking someone home was a way of offering protection and guidance, an opportunity to reflect on life and what had just been experienced. Joyce Hutchison and Joyce Rupp capture the spirit of that personal companionship for those who accompany the dying on their final journey. Hutchison’s moving stories relate her many experiences of caring for the dying, tracing the moments of joy, experiences of connection, and glimpses of heaven that occur along the way. Rupp’s simple and tender prayers express beautifully the struggle and rewards of this companionship, offering caregivers both strength and hope.”
Reference Number: H-00032
14) Isca, Kay Lynn. Catholic Etiquette for Funerals. Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2003.
Reference Number: I-0018
15) Jones, John Miriam, S.C. With an Eagle’s Eye…. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1998.
“Here is an opportunity to explore the vibrant spirituality of Celtic Christianity through a seven-day retreat. Each day offers an engaging reflection, suggested scriptures, reflection questions, prayerful activities, and a rich array of Celtic prayers and blessings. Whether you make this retreat away from home or in the midst of your everyday life, With an Eagle’s Eye will open your eyes to see anew the presence of Christ.”
Reference Number: J-00011
16) Keating, Charles J. The Gentle Touch. Mystic, Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1985.
“This reflections-provoking book of spiritual essays invites adult readers to meet life’s common experiences with an eye toward discovering within them a source of meaning and strength. These reflections surface universal human questions in a profoundly personal way: “Who am I? Is live worth living? Why? What makes life significant? Where is joy? What does death mean? How do I make sense out of failure? What do I mean when I say I believe? Do I need to believe? Is there life beyond family? If so, what does it look like? Why is it important to relate to others? What dose the future hold for me?” Long-time counselor and spiritual director Charles J. Keating claims these are the questions that come to each of us. Believer or nonbeliever. Religious person or not. The questions come unbidden and unprovoked. He offers these reflective essays to share with readers the “gentle touch” he has experienced in meeting God as a source of meaning and strength within these everyday human experiences.”
Reference Number: K-00017
17) Kreeft, Peter. Making Sense Out of Suffering. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Servant Books, 1986.
“By the time you finish reading this book, many people will have died violent deaths, many others will have suffered the ravages of a terminal illness, and thousands of innocent children will have been abused by their parents. And it is not only innocent children and others like them who suffer but also you and I. This book is for anyone who has ever wept and wondered, “Why?” Peter Kreeft observes that our world is full of billions of normal lives which have been touched by apparently pointless and random suffering. He then records the results of his own wrestling match with God as he struggles to make sense out of this pain and suffering.”
Reference Number: K-00018
18) Manning, Martha. All Seasons Pass Grieving a Miscarriage. Notre Dame, Indiana: Sorin Books, 2000.
“We live in a culture that is incredibly dismissive of miscarriage as anything worth observing, grieving, or commemorating. As a psychologist I know how important it is in a time of loss to have vehicles that help you grieve and give you comfort. More important, as a woman who has suffered two miscarriages, I know personally the solitary suffering that accompanies such loss. I know about the anger, the self-blame, the fears for the future. All Seasons Must Pass is a spiritual story about miscarriage—mine. I tell it in the form of a parable in which an old woman comforts a younger woman who thinks that if she just tries hard enough, and does everything perfectly, she will be in control of her life—specifically her precarious pregnancy. Through the loss of the pregnancy and the events that follow, the young woman learns not only about the ragged edges of grief, but the many sources of grace amidst that grief. May you find this story—my story—to be a gift of hope and healing.”
Reference Number: 00351
19) McHugh, James T. Death, Dying and the Law. Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 1976.
“Contrary to popular opinion, terminally ill patients generally want to discuss their “situation” with someone. Even faith in he Resurrection does not remove the grim reality of death. The dying therefore should be led to “acceptance” of their death. But then, we do not always look at this human event through the eyes of faith. So often we search instead for natural causes and human reasons to events more by their impact and relevance here and now, rather than in terms of eternity and immortality. Purposely then, this book helps people understand: How decisions affecting life and death should be made in terms of the Gospel and Christian moral principles; how the dying patient and his or her family might be assisted by the medical and nursing professions, and how respect for life should be protected by the law.”
Reference Number: M-00077
20) Meyers, Charles. Surviving Death a Practical Guide to Caring for the Dying & Bereaved. Mystic, Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1991.
“In this positive and straightforward book, Charles Meyer addresses the situations and circumstances surrounding death. He gives readers a practical way of dealing with death, as he attempts to instill in them the freedom to grieve and the wisdom to then move form grief. Surviving Death dispels the myths surrounding the care of the terminally ill, and presents a strong case for confronting the issue of our mortality while we can still do so.”
Reference Number: M-00078
21) Michalek, George C. and Fader, Barbara M. Blessed are those Who Mourn: Personalized Prayers of the Faithful for the Funeral Rite. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1998.
“The funeral liturgy and the vigil service provide pastoral ministers with a unique opportunity to offer the consolation of Christ and he care of the church to those who are grieving. When the prayers and readings reflect the life and circumstances of the deceased, and when the bereaved can participate in planning the liturgy, those who mourn can find still greater comfort. In that spirit of personal, pastoral care, Blessed are those Who Mourn offers a variety of General Intercessions to help busy pastoral ministers plan liturgies suited to the age and state in life of the deceased. These prayers preserve a sense of the uniqueness of the individual and his or her eternal relationship with God by touching upon some specific characteristics of his or her life. The authors have composed scores of intercessions which address the circumstances of death as well as the person’s relationship with family and friends, vocation, interests, ministry or service, and relationship to the faith community. An additional set of prayers is based on the readings provided in the rite for the Liturgy of the Word.”
Reference Number: M-00079
22) Nelson, Jan and Aaker, David. The Bereavement Ministry Program: A Comprehensive Guide for Churches. Notre Dame: Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1998.
“More and more churches are realizing the need to establish comprehensive bereavement ministries. But as pastoral ministers are recognizing the importance of the grief process, they are being faced with the difficulty of ministering to a variety of people with a variety of gifts. What is called for is a comprehensive, flexible program that allows ministers to meet the needs of everyone in their church. The Bereavement Ministry Program provides the wealth of resources needed for such an approach. This guidebook will allow clergy or lay ministers to minister effectively to those who—for whatever reason—are working their way through the grieving process.”
Reference Number: N-00007
23) Nolan, Rev. Joseph. They Shall be Comforted. Mystic, Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1999.
“Here is a treasure-trove of beautifully crafted Reflections, Readings, Prayers, and Rituals for those who think about death and hope in the resurrection. It is for: all who grapple with the mysteries of life and death, the dying and their loved ones, the bereaved and their family and friends, and those who minister to all of the above. The author’s insightful Reflections (Part One) are supplemented with memorable thoughts from literature, contemporary theologians, Church Fathers, and the Bible. The Readings (Part Two) present scripture passages that anchor Christian faith in everlasting life. The Prayers (Part Three) are profound expressions of faith, sorrow, hope, and love. The concluding Rituals (Part Four) will be particularly appreciated by pastoral ministers and families when preparing for wakes and funeral services. This is a helpful, consoling, hopeful, and faith-filled book; it confronts our dying in the spirit of St. Paul, who said, “Death is the last of the enemies to be destroyed.” (1 Cor 15:26).”
Reference Number: N-00008
24) O’Brien, Mauryeen, O.P. Healing Prayer Services for Those Who Mourn: Praying Through Grief. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1997.
“The grief associated with major loss can be overwhelming. As they wrestle with pain, bereaved persons must gather whatever strength they can to do the had work of recovery. Many tools exist which can assist in this process, but none is more valuable than prayer and ritual, experienced in a loving, supportive environment. Prayer and ritual provide a framework of repetition, familiarity, and transformation. They allow the bereaved to mourn, to celebrate, and to commemorate what they have lost. At the same time, they provide a sense of connection, enabling those in mourning to honor the past, face the present, and move toward the future. Praying Through Grief is a resource which allows anyone to organize prayer services designed specifically for those wrestling with grief.”
Reference Number: O-00014
25) O’Brien, Mauryeen, O.P. The New Day Journal: A Journey form Grief to Healing. New Rochelle, New York: Don Bosco Multimedia, 1993.
“Developed to help the grieving “work through the tasks of grief.” It is based on the premise that journaling ones thoughts, feelings, and experiences is one of the most helpful ways to move beyond the pain that is caused by the death of a loved one.”
Reference Number: O-00016
26) O’Brien, Mauryeen, O.P. New Day Facilitator's Guide. New Rochelle, New York: Don Bosco Multimedia, 1993.
"Used with The New Day Journal, this book is everything you need to develop a grief support program. It is based on the premise that journaling ones thoughts, feelings, and experiences is one of the most helpful ways to move beyond that pain that is caused by the death of a loved one."
Reference Number: O-00009
27) The Philadelphia Story: A Community Mode Project. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Archdiocese of Philadelphia, 2003.
Reference Number: 01144
28) Pregent, Carol. When a Child Dies. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1992.
“With Compassion and sensitivity, Carol Pregent leads us on a journey of grief and healing. When a Child Dies is the story of her seventeen-year-old daughter Lisa’s sickness and death, and how Carol grappled with it. We watch with the loving eyes of a mother as the horror of Lisa’s diagnosis, the trials of her chemotherapy, and the moment of her death inexorably unfold. We lie with her in her child’s deathbed, we walk with her at the funeral, we stand with her at the grave. And we weep with her. “The beginning years of grief felt overwhelming,” she says, “like I was walking in a blinding sandstorm.” While the author acknowledges how difficult it is to function while grieving, she shares what worked for her: “Rely on the people who love you, trust them and share your grief with them; take time for grieving—a full year; be still—stop distracting yourself; get a routine; start moving toward change; and never give up!””
Reference Number: P-00057
29) Sankar, Andrea. Dying at Home: A Family Guide for Caregiving. New York, New York: Bantam Books, 1991.
“When a loved one is terminally ill, caring for the person at home can be the greatest gift you can give. At home, he or she can maintain a sense of autonomy, find comfort and reassurance in your presence, live life in as normal a way as possible, and finally, die with dignity intact. Accompanying a loved one to the very end of the journey can be one of the most satisfying and enriching experiences of a caregiver’s life. It can also be the most difficult, exhausting, and demanding task you’ll ever undertake. In Dying at Home, Andrea Sankar lets you in the experiences of others who’ve met the challenge. In their stories you’ll glean real-life solutions to the special problems the dying and their caregivers face.”
Reference Number: S-00069
30) Smith, Harold Ivan. Finding Your Way to Say Goodbye: Comfort for the Dying and Those Who Care for Them. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2002.
"You are unsure of the future. You've been told the diagnosis is terminal, but still you want to fight it. You don't know what it will feel like as death approaches, and the unknown is frightening. You want someone to take your hand and help you through it. Harold Ivan Smith has been holding the hands of the dying for years, and he knows how to help. Whether you are the one with the diagnosis, or the one who is caring for the dying, this book will offer support, encouragement, and some helpful tips. From dealing with the medical staff to talking with family and friends who are in denial, Finding Your Way to Say Goodbye is an ideal companion for perhaps the most important journey of all."
Reference Number: S-00165
31) VanderWyden, Rev. P. William. Butterflies: Talking with Children about Death…and Life Eternal. Allen, Texas: Tabor Publishing, 1991.
“This book is a resource to provide honest, practical, meaningful answers for children about death and life eternal. Model responses to eight common questions children ask are provides: Why do people? What is God like? What is a soul? How long is eternity? Is there a heaven and a hell? Why does God allow people to kill? Why does God allow suffering? Why do people say, “Keep the faith”? This book will also be helpful for adults themselves who are searching for answers. Children deserve answers that are understandable and speak to their age and level of development, and children who get realistic explanations that provide them with a sense of hope become well-adjusted adults.”
Reference Number: V-00006
32) Vos Wezeman, Phyllis and Wezeman, Kenneth R. Finding your Way after your Child Dies. Notre Dame, Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 2001.
“Grief knows no schedule, but Finding your Way After your Child Dies offers parents a comforting way to grieve whenever the need arises, whether occasioned by the passing of a school bus or a glance at a family portrait. The authors’ sensitive reflections on the various occasions that bring grief to the surface include events that may happen daily, weekly, annually, or perhaps only once. Fifty-two themes—ranging from the weekly allowance, to birthdays, to graduation—help fathers and mother acknowledge their loss, express their feelings associated with the Change, and recognize the experience as an opportunity for grief, as well as for growth.”
Reference Number: V-00007
33) Wales, Sean, C.SS.R. The Last Things. Liguori, Missouri: Liguori Publishing, 1993.
“Since the beginning of human history, people have been asking questions about the end of the world or the Last Things. And as we approach the year 2000, many are asking disturbing questions with greater urgency. In our age of uncertainty and upheaval people turn in desperation to anyone or anything that claims to describe the future. Many people do have serious questions about the end times. Father Wales offers a hopeful and uplifting approach to Catholic teaching on death, judgment, heaven, and hell—the Last Things. He then addresses the concerns and confusions that many people have about the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ.”
Reference Number: W-00017
34) Waters, Chris Ann. Seasons of Goodbye Working your way Through Loss. Notre Dame, Indiana: Sorin Books, 2000.
“From losing a loved one, to losing a job, to moving to a new city, our experiences of loss can bring confusion, turmoil, and change. In Seasons of Goodbye, Chris Ann Waters tells us that new feelings must eventually be faced if we are to move on, and she shows us how to do this. Using the seasons of the year, the author guides us through the natural cycle of goodbye. Autumn represents the pivotal paint of change. Winter is a time of getting still and introspective, a time for remembering yesterday. Spring is for regaining hope and letting go. And summer is a season of participating again in life with acceptance, peace, and new purpose.”
Reference Number: W-00018
35) Your Guide to a Catholic Funeral. Liguori, Missouri: Liguori Publishing, 1997.
Reference Number: 00794