Grief and Dying
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1) Caring with Faith (Facing My Own Suffering and Loss). Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 24:30 min.
"Has a Leader's Guide "Brings insights of spirituality to bear on one's own limits in the face of illness, suffering and death. The story segment is the true story of a successful professional woman-journalist and mother-who discovers that she has breast cancer. That physical discovery leads her on an inner journey, a journey of the spirit. In the witness segment, real-life witnesses who have walked as caregivers with loved ones in times of suffering or at the approach of death reflect on the view from outside-how those who give care and love perceive the journey of those facing their own suffering. In the teaching segment, chaplain, author and educator, Patti Normile explores the questions which the onset of illness and suffering bring-creative questions which can lead to deeper understanding and help us bring our faith to bear. The program concludes with a music video reflection featuring the classic hymn, "Amazing Grace," and images which move us through the limitations of suffering to the freedom offered by Jesus Christ."
Reference Number: 01237
2) Caring with Faith: Suffering with a Loved One. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2000. 33:31 min.
"Has Leader's Guide. Suffering with a Loved One explores the role of caregivers in the light of our faith in Christ, who shepherds and cares for us. In the story segment, "La Vida," family members confront the care needs-physical, spiritual and emotional-or their dying mother, and grow in their relationship with each other through the process. (13 minutes). In the witness segment, individuals who know suffering first-hand share their experiences and insights. (3 minutes). In the teaching segment, Patti Normile sets forth concrete suggestions, grounded in faith, to help caregivers support their loved ones, while caring for themselves. (6 minutes). The music video reflection illustrates the role of caregiver with vignettes set to the hymn, "Be Thou My Vision." (3 minutes)."
Reference Number: 01240
3) Caring with Faith: Toward Death with Hope. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2000. 32:17 min.
"Has Leader's Guide. Toward Death with Hope explores the emotional spiritual dimensions of the Christian's journey through death-understood as a part of life-to new life in Christ. The story segment allows viewers to accompany a hospice nurse as she visits three terminally ill patients. Their faith and courage, and her sensitive care, teach us to approach death with hope. (10 minutes). Fro the witness segment, Franciscan Father Silas Oleksinski was interviewed shortly before his death from cancer in 1995. He shares his feelings about suffering and dying, suggestions for visitors and his hope in Jesus Christ. (4 minutes). In the teaching segment, Patti Normile examines the experience of dying and offers insights to help both the dying and their loved ones. (6 minutes). The program concludes with a music video reflection that presents dancers Betsey Beckman in the meditation on death and resurrection. She dances to the song, "The Story of God." (3 minutes)."
Reference Number: 01239
4) The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. Chatsworth, California: AIMS Media. 17 min.
“In an inspiring allegory, Leo Buscaglia shares this charming tale of Freddie—a handsome leaf whose life has meaning for us all. Freddie’s life is one of joy and dignity, from birth in the spring, through the playfulness of summer and maturity of fall, to death in winter. Leo tells us life is too often taken for granted. In helping us celebrate life’s journey, he lavishly illustrates how the changing seasons represents the inevitable cycle of life. Children and adults will enjoy watching this program together and are certain to find it excellent for stimulating talk about life and the mysteries of death.”
Reference Number: 00353
5) A New Road to Grief Recovery Tape 1. Mystic, Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1993. 45 min.
“Acceptance and sharing are the key concepts spelled out in this video series that helps Christians make the difficult journey from the death of a love one to being whole again. It does so by presenting moving, encouraging first-person accounts. This includes three of the six sessions: Session One: Keys to Recovery. Rev. Tim Queen discusses realistic recovery expectations and the importance of support environment. Session Two: The Child’s Grief Recovery. Rev. Timothea Lewis focuses on healthy recovery coping skills to aid in children’s grief work. Session Three: Young Widow with Eleven-Month Old Son. Linda Ashley, window with baby, affirms the importance of caregivers.”
Reference Number: 00355
6) A New Road to Grief Recovery Tape 2. Mystic, Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1993. 45 min.
“Session Four: Young Widower Discusses the Accidental Death of his Wife and Son. Don Andrews, whose wife and son died in an automobile accident, shares the healing value of support groups, reading and reaching out to others. Session Five: Widow Discusses Fifteen Years as a Single Parent. Margit Giles, widowed, reflects on rearing three young children to adulthood and keeping the home as stable as possible. Session Six: Widower Discusses the Healing Element of Saying Goodbye. Larry Coker reflects on his wife’s terminal illness and emphasizes the healing element in saying goodbye.”
Reference Number: 00356
7) The Philadelphia Story: A Community Mode Project. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Archdiocese of Philadelphia, 2003. 8:08 min.
Reference Number: 01145
8) A Place Prepared: Helping Children Understand Death and Heaven. Brewster, Massachusetts: Paraclete Press. 40 min.
“Four smiling children join hands and begin circling around, laughing and singing, “Ring around the rosie. A pocket full of posies. Ashes. Ashes. We all fall down!” With that, they collapse in a heap of giggles. But do these children know they are singing about a plague that struck England in the seventeenth century? Probably not. However, this familiar children’s song is a reminder that death many not be such an uncommon subject in children’s lives. For children, death seems unreal and at a distance-until it comes close: a grandparent, father, a mother, a sibling, or a pet dies. Suddenly death becomes real and immediate-and children have questions about what has happened: what does die mean? Where is Daddy now? In heaven? Can I go see him? And what is heaven? A Place Prepared will help you talk with children about death and heaven, and help you to prepare them for the inevitable losses that they will experience throughout their lives.”
Reference Number: 00357
9) Surviving: Grief. Los Angeles, California: Franciscan Communications and Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1989. 24 min.
“In this program, Clayton Barbeau helps the viewer to understand the grieving process and work toward acceptance of the loss of a loved one. Mr. Barbeau’s own experience of grief at the untimely death of his wife gives a unique validity and conviction to his advice. He points our that it is important not to deny one’s loss and to give oneself permission to “feel”; be it tears, loneliness, or anger. Above all, he suggests, don’t prolong and nurture grief, but take one day at a time and make an effort to begin building a future.”
Reference Number: 00354
10) Where is God When Life Hurts? The Mystery of Suffering. Mystic, Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1996. 42:30 min.
“Where is God when life hurts? Anyone who has experienced suffering or tragedy has asked this question. Is it really God’s will? Does God hurt us to teach us? Dr. Kathleen Chesto, noted author and educator, challenges some of the religious theories we have created to justify pain. In sharing her own struggle with disability and degenerative illness, she questions a society that measures our worth by our productiveness. This is a video for those dealing with suffering and for their caregivers. It is for parishes that have a real ministry of caring and want to understand the best way to reach out. It is also for priests, ministers and health professionals who regularly minister to hurting people. It offers insight into the mind and heart of the person in pain, the helplessness and rage, but it does not end there. By suggesting that there is no answer to the question, it offers the possibility of accepting life as mystery and discovering healing and hope.”
Reference Number: 00358