SOLACE: Soul + Grief
This podcast is sponsored by SOULPLUSGRACE serving the San José area, offering grief support and grief journeying with spirituality. I hope to help you travel through grief with God at your side.
"I am a trained Spiritual Director for those who seek to complete the 19th Annotation of St. Igantius’ spiritual exercises OR seek spiritual direction while grieving. I have also worked as a hospital/cemetery chaplain and grief doula. I believe all paths lead to God and that all traditions are due respect and honour. I take my sacred inspiration from all of my patients and companions–past, present and future; the Dalai Lama, James Tissot, St. John of the Cross, the Buddha, Saint Teresa of Ávila, and, of course, Íñigo who became known as St. Ignatius. I utilize art, poetry, music, aromatherapy, yoga, lectio divina, prayer and meditation in my self-work and work with others. I believe in creating a sacred space for listening; even in the most incongruous of surroundings."
BACKGROUND
- Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA -- Pierre Favre Program, 3 year training to give the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius
- Centro de Espiritualidad de Loyola, Spain -- The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola -- 30 Day Silent Retreat/
- Center for Loss & Life Transition – Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training (30 hrs) Ft. Collins, CO
- California State University Institute for Palliative Care--Palliative Care Chaplaincy Specialty Cert. (90 hrs)
- Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, CA -- Clinical Pastoral Education
- 19th Annotation with Fumiaki Tosu, San Jose, CA, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
- Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA M.A. – Pastoral Ministries
CONTACT ME: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com with questions to be answered in future episodes.
SOLACE: Soul + Grief
You Were Gone
When we lose a loved one, the world can turn upside down. Wander through the labyrinth of grief and a divine convergence - the fusion of human love and God's love. It's a comforting beacon in the bleak landscape, the embodiment of eternal love that defies human mortality.
Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, California, or Calvary Cemetery in San Jose, California.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE
You can reach us at: ccoutreach@dsj.org
To arrange personal spiritual direction: 408-359-5542
Our theme music is: Gentle Breeze by Yeti Music from the album "Uppbeat".
Additional Music and sound effects today by: via Pixabay
We welcome you to SOLACE: + Grief , I'm Candee Lucas, your host. When we started this ministry, we understood how difficult it was to lose a loved one, and we had hoped to create a space and a ministry that addressed these concerns and served as a source of comfort and wisdom for those who travel with God on their grief journey. This podcast is brought to you by Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of San Jose. We're glad you're here. You're always welcome in our circle of healing, love and support.
Candee Lucas:"One morning I woke up and you were gone. How did this happen? In so many different ways, in so many different worlds, on different days, at different hours, in different seasons? The one constant you were gone. My arms were empty, my eyes were wet, my body felt separated from itself. There was no solid ground to stand on, only a new truth, a new reality which I couldn't quite bring into focus. You were gone.
Candee Lucas:I sat at the place we used to sit, and you were gone. I went to the garden we used to enjoy together, and you were gone. I looked in the mirror to see you behind me, and you were gone. But the "g, the fact of it had not set in, was not concrete, and so I wandered from place to place within the house seeking you, but you were gone. I sat in the bedroom, but you were A t the kitchen table you were gone. Here too, where can I go that you are not gone?
Candee Lucas:Finally, I sit alone in the room on the sofa, where you used to be, and let my eyes close and imagine you weren't gone. I imagined the sound of your voice, your laughter, your anger, your tears. I imagined it all because you were gone. I remembered, I knew, I felt how much I loved you, but you were gone. I opened my eyes and there was a presence. I felt warmth, felt my grief growing, felt a hand on my shoulder, but I knew it wasn't yours because you were gone. I leaned back and felt a comforting presence, another hand on my shoulder, but it couldn't be you because you were gone.
Candee Lucas:I felt God's love enter me, like the sun had entered the room, because the Son had entered the room. I didn't feel hope quite yet, but I felt love and I felt cared for and I felt, in the balance, your love all around me, despite the fact you were gone. And God cradled me in that moment and I kept my eyes closed, imagining what was the difference between God's love and yours. They felt so similar-- that love without judgment, love without limits, love without restraint. It felt so familiar. Yes, you were gone, but the love, it's still here, it still surrounds me. It is the mystery of life and the mystery of death and the mystery of God that will bind us together forever. How did your love and God's love join? How can they merge so completely? How can you be gone when you're still here? The presence of God only magnifies it, makes it solid, makes it purposeful, concrete, something I can almost hold in my hand, makes it eternal, makes it forever and ever.
Candee Lucas:That concludes another episode. Please support us by subscribing on Spotify, amazon Music, apple Podcasts or Google Podcast. We always welcome your comments and feedback. Remember, spiritual direction is always available through Catholic Cemeteries. I'm Candee Lucas, chaplain, aftercare coordinator and spiritual director at Catholic Cemetery. You can reach us through the email or telephone number in the show notes. Be gentle with yourselves. Travel safely with God, Vaya con Dios.
