I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. – Jeremiah 29: 11
A Spirituality of our aged people recognises that people in this stage of life continue to strive to make sense of their lives: What am I here for? What is my life all about?
There is a beautiful Hasidic saying which goes: “For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned, it is the season of the harvest”. Erik and Joan Ericson describe this stage of life as the effort to strike a balance between integration and despair. They observe that the virtue attached to this stage of life is wisdom. “Being present” is a great gift to offer another person.
Ritual can create a space where the mystery of life can slowly be revealed to us all. It is into this space that Lazaretto enters offering ritual and prayer resources for aged care and hospital ministry. Lazaretto also offers Professional Learning to Pastoral Care staff.
Welcome to Lazaretto. “I am with you always”. – Matthew 28: 20
You Are Not Alone
“You Are Not Alone” is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. This song came about after a friend was not allowed to be in the hospital while her Dad was dying. In his final hours, she waited in her car, looking up at his window. Little did I think that the same would happen to me afterwards. I believe that such people are not – and were not – alone at such a time”.
– Liam Lawton
Healing is Your Touch, O God
Jesus was teaching in one of the meeting places on the Sabbath. There was a man present, so twisted and bent over with arthritis that he couldn’t even look up. He had been afflicted with this for eighteen years. When Jesus saw him there, he called him over. “Man, you’re free!” He laid hands on him and suddenly he was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.
– Luke 13: 10 – 13
Check out the samples below from the Lazaretto Song Library.
To download these files and supplementary PDF lyrics please visit our Sample Resources page.
Sensory Perception
After my husband died, there were days when I didn’t talk to anyone. I would go for a week without
human touch. That summer my daughter was staying with me for a while. One night she just started
rubbing my feet. It brought tears to me. I realised how sensory deprived I had become.
Memories
You probably want to remember all – and only – the good times with your spouse. You surely have some
cherished memories of loving conversations, happy, relaxing holidays, funny incidents, generous actions,
and peaceful moments. One way to capture those memories is to write them down. Then, later on, when
the memories are not so vivid, you can read what you wrote and treasure the good times again.
Our attitudes impact how we behave. People with positive attitudes tend to look on the bright side of life and anticipate that bad things are fleeting. They tend to be affirming, forward-thinking, and happy. People with negative attitudes tend to focus on things that are going badly and anticipate that bad things will continue to happen. They tend to be skeptical, cynical, and sometimes grumpy.
