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COMMUNITY
September 19, 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Catholic Education is not just A, B, C and 1, 2, 3: Pastoral Response to Dying, Death and Grieving
By Kathy Fanger and Laura Schemmel
Catholic Cemeteries
Kathy Almazol, Diocesan Superinten-
dent of Schools, shared in an interview how
our Catholic elementary and high schools
respond to students, staff and their families
who experience sickness, death and griev-
ing. Almazol recognizes that every faculty
member brings with them their own expe-
riences of caregiving, sickness, death and
grieving. “We believe our role is to share
our faith. Students expect this of us and
teachers naturally feel called to do so. The
faith component of our work is a beacon to
our students and families.”
“Praying is what we do!”
Almazol reminds teachers, “Your
face is the face of God to the students.
You are their spiritual role models.”
She shared, “Every morning on every
campus, our students begin their day
with prayer, and often again in their
classrooms. We pray for the sick, the
dying, the catastrophes and everything
else on the hearts of children. Praying
is what we can do. Celebrating life and
celebrating death are hallmarks of being
in a Catholic school.”
“Companion is who we are!”
When a student’s parent dies, their
classmates or Student Council members
often attend the funeral. Upon their re-
turn to school, teachers and counselors
make it a priority to connect regularly
with the student. They often attend their
games and activities.
Rose Lopez, long-time faculty mem-
ber at Archbishop Mitty High School,
created a cancer support group called,
“UPLIFT.” Students and family mem-
bers facing cancer speak freely with
peers and learn ways to cope through
conversation, healing Masses and re-
treats. They realize they are not alone.
Lopez conceived this idea through her
journey in sickness and death and the
outpouring of support by the Mitty
community when her husband, Luie,
also on staff , endured cancer. He died a
year and a half ago.
Lopez receives students’ names from
counselors, classroom teachers and
campus ministers who become aware
of a student’s family member who has
cancer. Students are encouraged to at-
tend Uplift. One Mitty parent shared,
“If God takes me home, I know my
daughter will be sad, but she will feel
secure knowing there are people at
Mitty to look after her.”
When a death of a student or staff
member occurs, principals and staff
immediately respond in caring for their
school community. When Almazol was
principal at Saint Clare School, a junior
high teacher died unexpectedly at
home one morning. The pastor, super-
intendent and assistant superintendent
arrived immediately to be present with
the students. Nine counselors from the
Bill Wilson Center for Living with Dy-
ing came to counsel students. Commu-
nication reached all parents. The entire
staff and student body ended the day
with a prayer service in church where
Pastor Rick Rodoni reassured everyone
that one day they would see him again
in heaven. This is the natural response
of all principals when sudden death
occurs. The entire day is framed with
prayer as they grieve. Each life is then
celebrated at a special Mass or service,
giving thanks to God. Compassion and
support follow in the days ahead.
Our Catholic schools’ teaching
is similar to the mission of Catholic
Cemeteries in bridging the gap before,
during and after the dea