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Letter from the President Dear Friends, Now that Labor Day has passed, and summer is at an end, we're entering one of the most beautiful times of the year in Arizona. The fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. I am not sure if its the change in colors, the perfect Arizona weather or my love of football that causes this feeling, but its always a blessing when the season finally arrives. Unfortunately for some, season changes are not as joyful. For many individuals and families that have lost someone, the change in seasons brings about memories of past relationships and events; memories that can tug at a person's heart, or ignite in us feelings of grief for the person who has died. Healthy grieving is integral to the healing process after someone we love has died. The way we grieve is as individual as each one of us. There is no one right way to mourn our losses. If you feel that you or someone you love could benefit with help in the grieving process, the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries offers grief counseling or guidance to those in need. If you feel the need to talk to someone about your personal grief, please contact our grief counselor, Sr. Teresa McIntier at 602-267-1329 extension 141. Christ's Peace, Gary L. Brown President |
Reaching Out to Those Who are Grieving
Much as we would like to, we cannot take away another person's pain. We can, however, for a short time help to make it a little more bearable. Sometimes we are at a loss for ways to help immediately following a death. Here are some suggestions that might help:
* When we grieve, food is often far from our minds.
Bring a meal for the family. If the person lives alone,
make time to eat with them. * Offer to help with transportation - to pick up relatives arriving from out of town; take them shopping for food
or supplies for guests.
* Offer to prepare for guests - make beds, picking up
around the house, cleaning bathrooms, etc..
* Offer to babysit if there are children or house-sit
while the family makes arrangements.
* Keep your commitments. If you say you will stop for
a visit, do it.
* Call them to stay in touch. It is most likely that when
we say "call me if you need anything", our offer will
not be acted upon. People don't like to feel that they
are a burden on our time. We need to make the extra
effort. If none of these speak to your situation, try to recall what you or someone you loved found helpful in the days following their loss. homeowners are out making arrangements
Most of us appreciate the sincere heart ... that's what we most need to bring to those we care about in their grief.
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Caring for Yourself While Grieving
When we've lost someone we love, one of the last things we think about is taking care of ourselves. Sometimes we can't think clearly or remember the simple chores of day to day living. The following list provides a few simple, but important tips to assist us as we move into and through our grief.
* Keep hydrated - drink plenty of water * Eat several small meals containing protein (rather than three large ones) * Exercise - such as walking with a companion - friend or pet * Take brief naps - no longer than 20 minutes * Listen to soothing music * Refrain from making life changing decisions - your decision making process is likely to be impaired. * Try to maintain the usual order of the day --- including bill paying
* Find someone you feel comfortable talking with
about your thoughts or feelings
Your local parish may have grief groups or ministers trained in assisting you. There are also several specialized grief groups in the valley. Your parish may have that information, or you can call Sr. Teresa McIntier or Debbie Reed for assistance finding resources to fit your needs. |
About Grief Grief is a normal response to the trauma caused by a loss. There is no time limit on the process of grief. Each person's responses to the loss are unique to them. Knowing what we may experience as we grieve may help. We offer here some tips from "Bereavement 101".
Grief influences us on several inter-related dimensions - the physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual. The impact of grief on one dimension influences our experience in the other dimensions. 
Some of the symptoms that may be experienced in the grief process include:
Physical Cognitive * sleep disturbance * forgetfulness * change in appetite * inability to concentrate * lack of energy * lack of motivation * gastrointestinal disorders * difficulty problem-solving
Emotional Spiritual * feelings of guilt * inability to pray * mood swings * questions about faith * anxiety * lack of desire to maintain * crying religious connections Grief in adults may be an intense experience or may manifest briefly and cause moderate disruptions in daily living. The nature of the death, type and length of the relationship, age of the deceased and whether there was unfinished business all impact how grief affects us individually. The grief from a sudden, unexpected death will differ from the grief of a caregiver who cared for their loved one during the dying process.
The point is that we all grieve differently, and the symptoms of our grief differ as do their intensity and duration. There is no right or wrong in how to grieve... grief is what it is for each one of us. |
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PLEASE JOIN US FOR ALL SOULS DAY MASSESTuesday, November 2, 2010
St. Francis Cemetery - 4:30 pm Holy Cross Cemetery - 4:00 pm Queen of Heaven Cemetery - 4:30 pm 2033 North 48th Street, Phoenix Mass & Blessing of Stations and Columbaria 1562 East Baseline Road, Mesa Presider: Msgr. Thomas Hever 10045 West Thomas Road Presider: Rev. Thomas Bennett Presider: Bishop Eduardo Nevares Holy Redeemer Cemetery - 4:30 pm All Souls Cemetery - 9:00 am Calvary Cemetery - 5:30 pm 23015 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix 700 North Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood Mass at San Francisco de Asis Parish
Presider: Rev. Don Klilne Presider: Rev. David Kelash Presider: Rev. Pat Mowrer
In remembrance of our dearly departed. There will be a
Mass and special blessing / dedication of the new Stations of the Cross, Risen Christ Feature and Columbaria by Bishop Eduardo Nevares at Holy Cross Cemetery, followed by light refreshments.
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Annual Memorial Services "Celebrating Life in a New Light" Honoring our loved ones who died between 11/2009 - 11/2010
Queen of Heaven Cemetery & Mortuary
December 5, 2010
2:00 pm Holy Cross Cemetery
December 6, 2010
4:30 pm Holy Redeemer Cemetery December 8, 2010 4:30 pm
St. Francis Cemetery
December 10, 2010 4:30 pm |
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Please direct comments about individual cemeteries to the emails listed above.
All other comments go to dreed@diocesephoenix.com
Check out our new website
http://www.catholiccemeteriesphx.com
Look for specials under Help With Your Decisions
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Debra Reed
Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries
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