Accompaniment in Difficult Times

The Art of Dying Well offers practical and spiritual support to those faced with the prospect of death and dying. It is a site for everyone.

After centuries of ministering to the dying, the Catholic Church has a wealth of experience to share in what was traditionally called the art of dying well, or in Latin, Ars Moriendi.

We sense that this is good time to look afresh at that tradition. The underlying ethos of the art of dying well applies just as well to anyone of any or no faith, undergoing the final journey. All of us will fall, all of us will need help, and all of us can use the experience we gain in helping people on the climb creatively for the good of others.

Losing someone you love is undeniably painful, but rising above grief and connecting spiritually to something greater might help you to find meaning.

Find out more at https://www.artofdyingwell.org/.

If we didn’t love and care so much, we wouldn’t hurt so much when a special person dies. Grief is the price we pay for loving.

If you are struggling after the death of a loved one, or suffering any significant loss, and would like to share your story with someone outside your family, then a member of the Emmaus Team may be able to help. We would be privileged to support you in your loss as Jesus did for the travellers on the road to Emmaus.

The members of the Emmaus team are trained in bereavement listening skills and are experienced in supporting those who are suffering loss. If you think we could help, please ring the Emmaus Bereavement Support Team on 07732 980740. Please leave your name and number and a member of the team will get in touch with you.

The ‘Catholic Prayers for the Sick & Dying’ has been produced to help you in your difficult time.

We walk with you in prayer, holding you and your family in the full belief that your loved one is being raised to new life.

‘Resources for times of grieving and death’ includes the following:

Prayers for loved ones we cannot visit in hospital, Prayers for someone who has recently died, and Prayers for a loved one whose funeral you cannot attend.

The call to love is “the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.” In Ephesians 5: 25-33, Paul teaches that Christ made marriage a sign of His love for the Church. This means that a sacramental marriage lets the world see, in human terms, something of the faithful, creative, self-emptying, abundantly life-giving love of our Lord.

We are called by God to marriage and God blesses the relationship. Marriages take place in front of family and friends and the Church Community to not only declare the love between the couple to the world but also to request the community offer their ongoing support.

At times all marriages will experience difficulties, over a lifetime there will be many ups and downs. The Church recognises that in some circumstances people need more formal support to live out their vows. In Hexham and Newcastle diocese, the Church is in partnership with the organisation ‘Marriage Care’

Marriage Care offer a donation only relationship counselling service and specialise in helping couples build and sustain strong, fulfilling, healthy relationships, and the provide support in times of relationship difficulty. We urge those who are finding themselves in difficulty to seek the help of the Church Community and to make use of this professional service.

Find out more at https://www.marriagecare.org.uk/.

Work in progress:

Please check back soon.