By Christine O'Keeffe Lafser
The death of a child leaves parents, siblings, family, and friends devastated at a life lost too soon. Author Christine O’Keeffe Lafser addresses the intense emotions faced by those who have lost a child and invites the reader to take a journey of faith and build a new life.
In a series of touching profiles written by parents and siblings, the lives of infants, children, teenagers, and adult children are remembered and celebrated. From miscarriage and murder, to illness and accidents, families share feelings and memories of children they’ve loved and lost.
Accompanying meditations address the stages of grief and recount the real experiences of those living through them. Scripture verses provide spiritual comfort, and an appendix lists grief-support resources. Most importantly, Lafser offers families hope that life can and will go on. Paperback, 418 pages; Spring 2002 Quantity
Comfort and encouragement for those who grieve... from those who?ve been there.
Through stories of persons who have journeyed through their own grieving, God Knows You?re Grieving is a practical, consoling and encouraging source of support for anyone encountering loss and grief. There are no simple directions or right ways to grieve, no quick fixes for the pain of loss. But in these pages you will find something that is right for you?a prayer, a sacred writing, some words of wisdom, or a story from someone who has been there?something to touch your heart and help you along the way. Despite all the distress, painful emotion, and change, despite the ache in our hearts and often even in our bodies, we can gradually pull our lives back together again. God Knows You?re Grieving will help you get through. Paperback 160 pages, softcover. Published July 2001 by Ave Maria Press
Edited by Jeff Cavins and Matthew Pinto, Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer is the perfect book for friends or family members who are going through difficult challenges or who have suffered a great loss.
Because this book can provide so much confort to thos who suffer, we are providing this title at more than a 35% discount.
Death creates a void, but no loss can compare with the death of a spouse. When his wife dies, a grieving husband faces the challenge of rebuilding his life - alone. Friends, neighbors, relatives - even his own children - can offer support and encouragement, but can never replace the bond that existed between husband and wife. This collection of thirty-one brief reflections, remembrances and meditations each considers a different facet of the grieving process. 112 pages, paperback.
Any woman who has lost a beloved husband knows that the feeling of loss never fully passes away. Here is a collection of poignant reflections for a wife mourning the loss of her husband. Concerns for widows like *Why,* *Identity Crisis,* *The Children,* *Superwidow,* *If Only,* and *Getting Through* are addressed in over forty reflections on different facets of the grieving process. Each offers insights that will touch a woman's heart, heal her soul and point out new and hopeful directions. 128 pages, paperback.
Adult children often need to do much more than make the funeral arrangements when a parent dies. The death of a parent can be a major life-changing event for the adult child.
The Death of a Parent is filled with stories of people who have lost a parent and how they dealt with the reality of that event. Eighteen stories divided into eight sections touch on a wide range of emotions and situations related to grief, loss and moving on with one's life in a healthy manner. A spiritual reflection concludes each of the sections. 128 pages, paperback.
By Mary Martha Moss, FSP with Prof. Thomas H. Groome. Illustrated by Virginia Esquinaldo
Why do bad things sometimes happen? If your child has ever asked this question, you will find God Is Here...When Bad Things Happen a wise friend. It is both a storybook for children and a guide for parents and teachers. Explaining the presence of suffering in our lives through the endearing tale of Jeremy and the friend he loses, God Is Here...offers activities and questions for dialogue with children, as well as reflections to help adults deepen their faith and mentor the young. Also included are suggestions for family prayer in times of loss or difficulty.
Special features:
*Difficult subjects such as the presence of evil and suffering are presented on a child?s level. *Annotated pages provide a means for parents to deepen and apply story themes in a practical way. *Suggestions for activities allow kids to share their feelings with a parent or trusted adult. *Ideas are offered to help parents and children pray together about painful experiences. Paperback, 40 pages softcover, 10 3/4 x 8 1/4 inches. Pauline Books & Media Fall 2002
Why do people die? What is God like? Why does God allow people to kill other people? Is there a heaven and a hell? Why does God allow suffering? How long is eternity? What is a soul?
Children deserve answers to their difficult questions that are appropriate for their age and that respond to the issues they are dealing with as they develop. Children who get realistic, honest answers develop trust, faith and hope, and become well-adjusted adults. Since children of different ages require different approaches, Butterflies provides guidance for each stage of development: from infants and toddlers to high school. Natural events or catastrophes portrayed in the media present many opportune times to put to use the answers provided in Butterflies. Have this book on hand and use it as a guide for sharing your own beliefs about what makes life meaningful and worthwhile. Anyone who cares about children will find this book to be an essential resource. Paperback, 120 pages. Quantity
Heartfelt medtiations address the powerful emotions felt by parents who have endured the death of a baby. Paperback, 96 pages, ACTA Publications.
Through the recounting of a wide variety of personal stories, this book offers a keen understanding of the grieving process. While each person's experience of bereavement is unique, it is possible to find comfort and strength through the shared reactions and feelings of others touched by loss.
Experiencing Bereavement is a powerful book written for those struggling with bereavement and for every person standing beside a loved one who is grieving. Paperback 242 pages, Pauline Books & Media February 2004.
Surveys indicate that as many as 50 percent of the population have felt the presence of a loved one who has died. Catholics, especially, have a strong belief in the communion of saints, and this collection of gentle stories will be a comforting reminder that at death, life is not ended but merely changed.
The greatest test of your faith won’t come from Bible-quoting Protestants or polite young Mormons on bicycles! No, your greatest test will be whether you will trust God when you suffer, or whether you will, in the words of Job’s wife, “curse God and die.” In Suffering: The Catholic Answer, Dom Hubert van Zeller helps you prepare now for all your sufferings by enab- ling you to see them with the eyes of the Spirit.
Van Zeller, the wise author of Holiness for Housewives, maintains that you can understand the mystery of suffering only by means of the Passion of Christ. In this book, he explores the fourteen Stations of the Cross, plumbing the inner meanings of each in order to reveal why there has to be pain, and what you should do (and should not do) about it. In his explorations of the Stations, van Zeller finds a great deal to help you in dark times. He reminds you that suffering, properly understood, cannot and should not extinguish happiness, and shows you how to accept your crosses with love. He reveals how you can learn from Christ Himself to turn your failures into victories, and to alleviate others’ suffering by imitating Mary’s compassion.
Above all, van Zeller shows you that suffering has a purpose, and he uses Christ’s Passion to sharpen your vision of life’s meaning. With help from this perceptive book, you’ll learn how not to grow disheartened or to give in to discouragement, but to see your crosses for what they are, and to bear them with perseverance.
by Hubert van Zeller 144 pgs ppbk Quantity
Why must humanity suffer? In this elegant and thoughtful work, C. S. Lewis questions the pain and suffering that occur everyday and how this contrasts with the notion of a God that is both omnipotent and good. An answer to this critical theological problem is found within these pages.
176 pages; paperback. Quantity
