SOLACE: Soul + Grief
This podcast is sponsored by SOULPLUSGRACE serving the San José area, offering grief support and grief journeying with spirituality. We hope to help you travel through grief with God at your side. Candee Lucas, your host, is a Jesuit-trained-and-inspired spiritual companion to the dying and their families, friends and caretakers.
"I am a trained Spiritual Director for those who seek to complete the 19th Annotation of St. Igantius’ spiritual exercises. 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
SOLACE: Soul + Grief
The Healing Power of Easter
Journey with me as we uncover the transformative teachings of Easter; how they can illuminate our paths and provide solace, casting a new light on our everyday struggles. Discover the boundless love that transcends the veil of mortality, and how it can lead us to a horizon brimming with hope, grace, and divine Love.
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
Welcome to this week's episode of Solace: Soul + Grief. I'm Candee Lucas. We're glad you're here. This podcast is sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries and the Diocese of San Jose. The death of a loved one is a very difficult life transition and we hope we can answer some of your questions, help you find where God is moving in your life as you continue your grief journey, and remind you of the power of your faith and love for God. You're always welcome in our circle of healing, love and care.
Candee:I am moved to remember the words of the Persian poet Rumi, a desert father in the best tradition, who in the 13th century wrote--- "Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation. For are we not called to bask in the love of Jesus reflected by his resurrection, asked to love with our hearts and souls, clearly not just with our eyes? Each day during the season, we can remember, in mass or in private or in common prayer, what this gift of uncompromising, radical love means to each of us in our daily lives. Remember Romans 8.35,. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? A very rhetorical question. We can start each day with a renewed and grateful heart. We can start each day with an affirmative yes to God.
Candee:Shortly after I was moved to my own conversion moment and became Catholic, I was immediately drawn to the Lenten season. I viewed Ash Wednesday as a communal call to pause and note in the middle of our daily lives, his call and his response and his sacrifice. I proudly wore that first Ashen Cross on my forehead and spent the next 40 days steeling myself for what was to come. Each year I now give up my hair so that when I touch my head every day I can remind myself after all, he is in the desert suffering for you and for us all. Because we all know the story and how it ends, I think many may not take the time to savor the journey and the burnishing that comes with being in the desert with the living Jesus.
Candee:Those 40 days it is all in preparing us for a new moment with Him after His resurrection. It is in those days of Easter, after the resurrection, that his love shines so brightly and new to us. Imagine a new day with him, new hope, new love and new grace. This is the gift that Easter will bring to each of us the possibility of a renewed life and love and hope in him and with him. This is not to say that our worldly duties and chores are forgotten or even lessened, but somehow we can move through our days easier and lighter, with a reminder of the taste of his new love still in our tongues. We remember what it is to be held in the arms of one who only knows boundless love for us. We are comforted in our silent moments and rejoice in his love in our public selves. For our secret is that Eastertide will remind us how truly loved we are, how we are never separated from him, and that love, Not even for an instant, not in our wearying or worrying, not in our coming and our going. Not at all.
Candee:That concludes another episode of Solace. A new one drops every Friday. Please subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or find us on Google. I'm Candee Lucas, your host, Aftercare Coordinator, chaplain and Spiritual Director at Catholic Cemeteries at Gate of Heaven in Los Altos, California. Please contact us if you have questions or seek spiritual direction. Our contact information is in the show notes. Be gentle with yourselves. Travel with God. Vaya con Dios.
