COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | August 21, 2018
13
Solace in Our Time of Grieving
By Candee Lucas, M.A. Pastoral
Ministries; Aftercare Coordinator,
Catholic Cemeteries
Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies
and God of all comfort, who comforts
us in all our affl iction so that we will
be able to comfort those who are in any
affl iction with the comfort with which
we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When we have experienced the
death of a loved one, it’s often not easy
to go out in the world for any purpose,
let alone for the purpose of holding
our grief in a public space. That is
one of the reasons Diocese of San Jose
Catholic Cemeteries created SOLACE:
Soul+Grief, a monthly drop-in grief
support group.
This group meets once a month
on the FOURTH Wednesday in the
chapel at O’Connor Hospital. We take
a scripture verse or refl ection and seek
a quiet place in our hearts together
to contemplate our losses, honor our
loved ones, remember God’s place in
our hearts, and seek to make a new
connection with those gone from us.
Our loved one may have been at the
very heart of a routine we fi nd hard to
pick up again. We cannot fi nd words
that will express the depth of feelings
and the waves of incomprehension
washing over us. There is simply not
another human being with whom to
share our grief. Or others may have
discomfort with our depth of feeling. It
helps to verbalize our feelings and ex-
peri ences, and the impact our losses are
having in our daily lives. We want to
create a space where mourning may be
buttressed with comfort; where hearts
may be reopened and begin to mend;
and, where sharing and tears may be
embraced. In addition to sharing with
one another (when appropriate for
each), just listening and being there for
one another can help us face the future
with a little more sense of hope.
Through SOLACE, we learn as a
community to reach out to one another
in times of need, crisis, loss, and fear.
This enables us as a community of like-
minded beings to thrive and survive
the most critical and important mo-
ments in our lives. We come together
because we have to go on and because
we fi nd it is easier than to struggle
apart. Sharing the burdens of life and
losses is better than bearing them
alone. It is one of the hallmarks of hu-
man existence that we seek solace and
succor with one another, rather than
try to weather life’s trials in isolation.
For it is when we open our hearts
that we realize that there is a new
space for another person, for bigger
love, greater compassion, and more
humanity.
This is the space that we hope
Long-time Leader of Hispanic Community
at Saint Athanasius Dies
Sister Diana Petz,
RSM, died on July 9,
at age 85. Born in
Buff alo, New York,
she move d w it h
her family to Los
Angeles where she
at te nde d Bi shop
Conaty Memorial
High School and entered the Sisters
of Mercy in 1950. Her religious name
was Sister Mary Lucia. Sister then
spent the next 25 years in elementary
education at Saint Gabriel School and
Saint Peter’s School, San Francisco;
Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Ba-
kersfield; Saint Pius X School and
Saint Aloysius School, Los Angeles;
and Saint Catherine’s School, Burlin-
game. She also served as principal at
Our Lady of Guadalupe for six years
and at Saint Peter’s for fi ve years.
Her experience at Saint Peter’s
prompted her to begin a new minis-
try, and after studying Spanish she
moved to Saint Athanasius Parish in
Mountain View as associate pastor to
the Hispanic Community.
She became a beloved leader as
advisor, counselor and liturgy co-
ordinator. She prepared families for
baptism and marriage.
In 2001, Sister Diana was awarded
the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifi ce Medal for
her outstanding work in the parish,
one of the highest awards the Vatican
gives. Sister Diana retired to Marian
Oaks Life Center in 2014 and spent
her last seven months at Mercy Re-
tirement and Care Center in Oakland.
She is survived by her brother
Tony and her loving community of
the Sisters of Mercy.
Memorial gifts may be made to the
Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive,
Burlingame, CA 94010.
SOLACE will begin to fi ll in our com-
munity. Please join us if you are suf-
fering alone or if you know someone
who needs community at this time.
You are always welcome in our circle
of healing love and support.
SOLACE – Soul + Grief
Monthly Drop-in Grief Support Group
August 22, 7-9 p.m. (4th Wednesday of
each month)
O’Connor Hospital Chapel,
2105 Forest Ave, San Jose
Facilitator: Candee Lucas, M.A. Pastoral
Ministries. We use a scripture reading
as a seed for our sharing, discussion
and support. No RSVP necessary. Free.
Sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries and
O’Connor Hospital.
Parish Bereavement Ministers’
Training Series
September 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, (Skip
16), 23
7 – 9 p.m. at Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Parish-Community Center,
10110 N. DeAnza Blvd., Cupertino
This in-depth training and enrichment
series is for parish staff , clergy and
volunteers. Focus includes knowledge
of the grief process, eff ective commu-
nication, and models of parish conso-
lation programs. RSVP by September
5 to Kathy Fanger (650) 428-3730 x508
or [email protected]. Cost $100/
person. Fee returned upon completion
of all 6 sessions.
Estate Planning
September 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Queen of Apostles Parish
Father Jim Mifsud Community Center
4911 Moorpark Ave, San Jose
Presenter: David J. Brazgel, Attorney,
The Mlnarik Law Group, Inc.
Estate Planning is a comprehensive
process involving many components:
Living Trust; charitable and legacy
planning, a lifetime gifting program,
medical care planning (Advance Direc-
tive); fi nancial power of attorney, burial
and funeral planning. Free. RSVP’s
are appreciated but not necessary:
(650) 428-3730 [email protected].
Anointing of the Sick Presentation
followed by the Sacrament
September 15: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. daily
Chapel in the Church
Queen of Apostles Parish
Father Jim Mifsud Community Center
4911 Moorpark Ave, San Jose
There still may be a misunderstanding
that this sacrament is solely for those
on their death bed. Whether you are
preparing for surgery, have a serious or
ongoing condition, are frail in old age, or
dealing with depression. The sacrament
may be received more than once. Do not
wait until death is imminent to receive
this anointing. All are welcome.
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