The Pastoral. Prayerfully, Jean. Dear Coordinators

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Magnus Perry
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1 The Pastoral Visi or May/June 2004 Volume 6, No. 5 Dear Coordinators As I sit here pondering what to share with you in this letter, the words to a song that we sang at the annual chaplains gathering last week keep replaying in my mind. I d like to share them with you: Creator in the chaos, Redeemer in the pain, Spirit who empowers us as we call upon Your name: Grant a land of milk and honey on the other side Of the pain we know, the fear we show as we seek to share Your life. God who knows our anger, God who knows our pain God who knows just what it's like to have to start again: Bless us with a song to sing in the sorrow of our time. Bless us with a dance to bring to the brokenness of life. Spirit of compassion, Spirit of our grief, Spirit who keeps showing us new horizons of belief, Bless us with the struggle of the world we're vested in, Bless us with new vision as we come to birth again. by rosi olmstead Although written some years ago, the images in this thought provoking song, seem to speak with eloquence to our immediate lived reality. The words give unabashed voice to the anger and frustration that often accompanies loss. They also invite us to imagine a place beyond the pain, and inspire us to search for life in the midst of the sorrow. What I find particularly compelling about this piece, is its balance. It names the grief and you can almost taste the anguish; but, it doesn t stop there. It also draws us to reach beyond the sorrow for the hope of something new, a new vision, a birthing. Each of us has had personal experiences of grief, and I am certain, most of us could point to a new strength or insight we gained as a consequence of that loss. Although, in all likelihood, given the choice, we would gladly exchange these gifts for the return of our loved one, we can see our growth through this painful experience. Unfortunately, perhaps we also know of examples where loss has consumed someone, and proven lifetaking even for the survivor. Melissa Kelley, Ph.D., presenter at our chaplains meeting said Loss shapes people. How true that is. I invite you to consider ways in which you have been shaped by losses in your life, and I invite you to allow yourself to be shaped.with balance.in this present time of collective loss. In this time of brokenness, may God s grace keep our hearts open to the possibility of new vision and life. Prayerfully, Jean 1

AIM - Summer Institute Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound workshop June 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Instructors: Kelly Dunn, Judy LoGerfo Overview of Core Catholic Beliefs June 15, 16, 17, 22 10:00 a.

2 AIM - Summer Institute Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound workshop June 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Instructors: Kelly Dunn, Judy LoGerfo Overview of Core Catholic Beliefs June 15, 16, 17, 22 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Both workshops are to be held at St. Julia s in Weston (Take Exit 26 off of Rte.128 to Rte. 20) To register, please call Barbara Richards at Mass of Hope and Healing The Mass of Hope and Healing was the subject of a article in the June 4th edition of The Pilot. The Mass which was held on May 23 was sponsored by the Office of Health Care Ministry, and included the laying on of hands and a special blessing of those who are ill by the Archbishop and the many priest chaplains who were present. It was a beautiful Mass that celebrated our community of healing, said Jean Marchant, Director of the Office, who also led the intercessions. In his greeting, Archbishop Sean welcomed not only those who were sick or suffering from chronic injuries, but also their loved ones and the professional caregivers present. The article highlighted the very special ministry offered by the Friends of St. Francis from St. Francis Parish in Medford who hosted the reception after the Mass. This committed group of volunteers began this tradition in 1989 and their generosity continues to this day. Resources to live a life of hope and joy in an age of cynicism. It will rekindle your love of life and your desire to make the world a better place. We ve received several requests for ordering information for Healing Plants of the Bible: History, Lore and Meditations by Vincenzina Krymowthe featured in our March/April newsletter. The book is available from St. Anthony Messenger Press. Tel: ; web site: This unique and beautiful book offers information about the healing plants mentioned in hundreds of Bible verses, their scriptural context, their use in biblical times, present-day uses and their role in healing body, mind and soul. $ Inter-Generational Collaboration The program highlighted below, shared by Ann Lomuto, Coordinator of Catholic Chaplains Services at Newton Wellesley Hospital, was developed in collaboration with a local parish, and helps children grow in their sensitivity to persons who are ill or infirmed. Those who are ill are simultaneously blessed with a cheerful message from the children. The Children's' Ministry-to-the-Sick is an ongoing production of hand-made greeting cards, Get-Well cards, Easter cards, etc. Chaplains could incorporate presenting these cards to the sick during hospital visits. The children learn about the hospital ministry; about how to practice the second greatest commandment as a child; learn the beatitudes; learn the Scripture quotes; (a card could be one with a design drawn by a child and the inside message would include a short Scripture passage.) they have fun serving God and feel pleased that they have a part in a ministry. All Catholics are served by the universal church and the children learn to give to strangers who are ill without any reward except being part of the People of God. It prepares their generation. The patients will receive the Body of Christ from God and a card from the Little people of God. It makes the ministry-to-the-sick for chaplains much more personal and for those who have no one to send them cards or visit, such as the elderly, the card will remind them they belong to us and of the children's prayer for them. Second Innocence: Rediscovering Joy and Wonder, a book by Dr. John Izzo is available at book stores, e.g., Barnes and Noble. This is a wonderful book of modern parables, stories that remind us of what it takes 2

3 Support in the Process of Reconfiguration When the doors close How do you feel? An Open Forum to address: Anger Loss Grief Betrayal Confusion Guilt Emptiness Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, Brockton (Route 24 exit 18B). Sunday, June 13, 2:00 PM Community Conference Room. Information: From the Office of Spiritual Development For those whose parishes have closed, the Office of Spiritual Development has prepared a course of two hours that will help participants: gratefully consider the gifts they have received in the closing parish, examine the experience of loss and dislocation as a element of discipleship, open up the experience of reconfiguration as an experience of the Paschal Mystery of Christ, and, therefore, as an occasion for deeper conversation. Other possibilities are available from the Office. For further information, please contact: The Office of Spiritual Development 2121 Commonwealth Avenue Brighton, MA spiritual_development@rcab.org National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry will hold its 2004 Conference entitled Blessed Are We: Moral Formation and Spiritual Development for Persons with Developmental Delays on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday July 8, 9 and 10 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers. For more information about the conference call Joan Horgan: Espousal011@rcn.com. For registration information, contact Mr. Chuck Luce: nafim04conf@aol.com. Healing Body & Soul: The Spiritual Journey of Breast Cancer - Saturday, July 17, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Glatsonbury Abbey Conference Center, Hingham. A day of reflections for Breast Cancer Survivors. Annabelle Wallace, PhD, (Breast Cancer Survivor). Fee: $100 (includes breakfast, lunch and materials). Information: call Annabelle Wallace at In Spite of Everything It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build my hopes on a foundation of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness. I hear the approaching thunder, I can feel the suffering of millions, and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come out right one of these days; that this cruelty will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again. In the meantime, I must hold on to my ideals for perhaps the day will come when I shall be able to carry them out. From the Diary of Anne Frank Conferences/Workshops Growing Through Loss Workshop Saturday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Elizabeth Seton Residence, Wellesley. Presenter: Linda Colozzi, Certified Chaplain, M.A. Psychology, M.A. Pastoral Ministry. $60 to register or for further information: colozzi@gis.net 3 Reminder: The next issue of The Pastoral Visitor will be published in September. We hope all of you who toil in the vineyard of our God will find a time of rest and re-creation in the summer months. Share this newsletter See you in the Autumn! with parish volunteers.

4 The Summer Day AN IMPORTANT REMINDER A mailing went out to all parishes about the annual CORI renewal, which will begin on July 1, However, this year there is a new schedule for submission of CORI for individuals who had a CORI check in fiscal year You will find that schedule listed below CORI SUBMISSION SCHEDULE: July and August, 2004 Schools September and October, 2004 Merrimack Region November and December, 2004 North Region January and February, 2005 Central Region March and April, 2005 South Region May and June, 2005 West Region NOTE: if you have new Visitation Ministers who have not had a CORI this past year, you may submit their CORI (on colored paper for quick identification as new) any time after July 1, 2004 and at any time during the year when new volunteers sign on. As always, feel free to call me at or me at Ann_Lally@rcab.org if you have questions or need further clarification. Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver The Pastoral Visitor is published by the Office of Health Care Ministry for the Pastoral Visitor Project. Jean Marchant, Director Sr. Dorothea Masuret, CSJ, Assistant Director Office of Health Care Ministry, RCAB Office for Pastoral Ministries, RCAB jean_marchant@cchcs.org sister_dorothea_masuret@rcab.org Patricia Dunn, Director Sr. Nancy Charlesworth, SSMN, Director Parish Social Ministry, Catholic Charities Office for Ethnic Apostolates, RCAB sister_nancy_charlesworth@rcab.org Ann Lally, Director Mary Ann McLaughlin, Associate Director Office of Volunteer Resources, RCAB Office of Spiritual Development, RCAB ann_lally@rcab.org e:mail: mmclaugh@rcab.org Robert Short, Director Karen Murray, Director Caritas Christi Parish Based Health Ministry Office for Persons with Disabilities, RCAB robert_short@cchcs.org karen_murray@rcab.org Ana Maria Piatti, Director Hispanic Apostolate, RCAB ana_maria_piatti@rcab.org 4

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Like a Tree Jeremiah 17:5-8 February 17, 2019

P a g e 1 Like a Tree Jeremiah 17:5-8 February 17, 2019 A month ago today, the world lost a beautiful voice, the voice of a gentle poet. She died in Provincetown, on the Cape, where she had lived a quiet