Praying for Final Journey
“Where do we go after we die?” I remember having a book in my bookshelf with a title similar to this question, a book designed to help a child understand … Continue Reading Praying for Final Journey
Praying for the Dead
In the month of November, the Catholic Church (all of us) devote special time and attention to praying for the dead. So I’m sharing here a biblical example of pious … Continue Reading Praying for the Dead
Hope on All Hallows Eve
My family recently received some very happy news, and this came just a few days before we learned that another family received terribly sorrowful news. Life is beautiful. Life is … Continue Reading Hope on All Hallows Eve
Be Strong and of Good Courage
Over the span of five weeks, I lost count of how many times my parents saved my life. I was as good as dead multiple times every day. Struggling for … Continue Reading Be Strong and of Good Courage
Lazarus and Dying Twice
I’ve often felt bad for Lazarus, the friend of Jesus, whom Jesus rose from the dead. Why feel bad for him? Well, he went through the whole dying process, which … Continue Reading Lazarus and Dying Twice
The Lord’s Prayer
How many times have you said the Lord’s Prayer? How many times have you actually prayed it? I’m sure that I must have recited the Lord’s Prayer a thousand times … Continue Reading The Lord’s Prayer
Who Is Donna DeGuglielmo?
I hadn’t expected her passing to affect me as much as it has. After all, we never met in person. It was her need for me, or what I perceived … Continue Reading Who Is Donna DeGuglielmo?
Through
There’s thunder and lightning, bombings and gunfire, and I’m abandoned in the dark — horrifically alone. At any moment I could be obliterated, searing explosions invading my mind so I … Continue Reading Through
Heartache
“Son, why have you done this to us?”[i] Okay. I’m just going to say it. I don’t want to contract covid–19 and die. I don’t want any of my loved … Continue Reading Heartache
A Better Place?
When a person dies, we may try to comfort the family and friends who are mourning by telling them that the person has gone to a better place. This isn’t … Continue Reading A Better Place?
Was or Is? Life after Death
This week, a woman from my parish died of cancer. When I was thinking about the best way to describe how I know her, I found myself struggling with verb … Continue Reading Was or Is? Life after Death
Soft Rains: Sara Teasdale
In the midst of our divisive, too often violent world, I have often found myself resting back on this poem: (War Time) There will come soft rains and the smell of … Continue Reading Soft Rains: Sara Teasdale
Christians: The Living Dead
On Easter Sunday, I remembered something: I’m already dead. Why fear death if I’ve already died? That sounds odd, I know, but we Christians believe that Jesus died on the … Continue Reading Christians: The Living Dead
Leaving with These Words
Last year, I had several health challenges that reminded me, yet again, of how fragile and fleeting my life is. Having been born with a rare disease and living all … Continue Reading Leaving with These Words
Respecting Death: an Odd Family Tradition
I’m a stickler for family traditions. Therefore, as I told my doctor, my preferred way to die is of some kind of cardiac incident in a church. That was how … Continue Reading Respecting Death: an Odd Family Tradition
Life with Dignity: a Personal Plea against Assisted Suicide
Saint Augustine wrote, “it is never licit [right] to kill another: even if he should wish it, indeed if he request it because, hanging between life and death, he begs … Continue Reading Life with Dignity: a Personal Plea against Assisted Suicide
Christina Chase 