Denial
Now and then I would forget that my husband’s absence was permanent. One morning I woke and
wondered if he’d already gone to work. Another day I was putting dishes on the table and realised that
October 4, 2023
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.
Now and then I would forget that my husband’s absence was permanent. One morning I woke and
wondered if he’d already gone to work. Another day I was putting dishes on the table and realised that
Ponder The process of determining what God is asking is called discernment. The word discernment means to sift apart. When we enter into discernment, we
There’s so much to do after your spouse dies: making funeral arrangements, receiving guests, writing thank-you cards, executing the will, managing finances, sorting through clothes