Workshops
Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of San Jose offers educational sessions
for parishes and other organizations. As part of our outreach services
there is no cost to the parish, organization, or individual attendees.
Our workshops include many topics focused on end of life issues. Click
here for our current workshop schedule. See our offerings and descriptions
of our workshops below:
Planning Your Catholic Funeral
The Vigil, the Funeral Mass, and the Committal each have distinct purposes
in the journey toward healing and wholeness. When we experience a death
of a loved one, we have rituals and prayers of our church to guide us.
This workshop will assist you in making choices about your funeral or
that of someone close to you. Come with your questions about the liturgies
for the Vigil, Funeral Mass, and Committal Service, as well as the services
and options offered at the Funeral Home and the Cemeteries.
Celebrating a Life: Planning a Liturgy for a Funeral Mass or Memorial Service
Learn the basic elements of planning a funeral or memorial mass liturgy
for yourself and your loved ones. We'll consider scripture, song and
liturgical elements that celebrate the unique life of each person. A template
and basic resource guides will be available.
Anointing of the Sick with the Sacrament
The time to receive this beautiful and healing sacrament is before we
die. Replace outdated ideas such as last rites and extreme unction with
scriptures and traditions that illuminate its true purpose. The sacrament
will be celebrated following the workshop
Advance Directives, Life and Health Care Decisions and Estate Planning
Know your options and let your personal wishes be known and honored. There
are resources to help you and your loved ones make decisions about end
of life care. Workshop topics include information about Hospice and Home
Health Care, Advance Directives, Estate Planning or Wills & Trusts.
Whether you are 18 or 80, pre-planning for illness and death is a precious
gift we can give our families.
End of Life Decisions: A Journey of Faith
Choices at the end of life present unique challenges, particularly within
a complex and technologically advanced society. Physical death is perceived
within modern society as the ultimate human tragedy. This presentation
will explore end of life choices within the context of faith in Jesus
and the moral tradition of the Chuch.
What Happens in Heaven, Hell and Purgatory?
"No one gets out of this world alive!" "Everyone wants
to go to heaven, but no one wants to die to get there." These quotes
bring to mind questions that should interest us all as we think about
our future beyond the grave. How should we prepare for death? What happens
at death? What do humans experience in Heaven, Hell and Purgatory? This
workshop will address these great mysteries.
Consolation of Grief Before, During and After the Holidays
Anniversaries and holidays often accentuate the grief and sadness we experience
when a loved one dies. Fr. Christopher Bennett offers us stories from
scripture and from his own life to support our practices and activities
that bring healing during periods of mourning.
Consolation of Grief Through Prayer and Music
Experience prayer and reflection with a wide variety of music. You will
be able to get in touch with the many feelings that accompany bereavement.
Grief and Hope Through Stories and Feelings
This session includes practives that help us to identify and share the
feelings that surface during the five stages of grief. By sharing our
stories with compassion and attention, we move toward healing.
Bereavement Support and Self Care
We focus on the signs of grief and ways we can help ourselves and our loved
ones deal with these manifestations. This workshop will include prayer,
stress reduction techniques, creative work, and more tips on how to listen
with compassion.
Loneliness: The Challenge to Connect
Loneliness can be overwhelming, especially after the loss of a loved one.
All areas of our lives can be affected. The absence of a partner, family
member, or friend leaves a void in our lives which challenges us to find
a new equilibrium and balance. Come understand, share and create ways
to handle this difficult emotion. It is possible to rediscover the joy,
peace and connection that now might be missing.
Grief and Hope Through Stories and Feelings
This session includes practives that help us to identify and share the
feelings that surface during the five stages of grief. By sharing our
stories with compassion and attention, we move toward healing.
Bereavement Support and Self Care
We focus on the signs of grief and ways we can help ourselves and our loved
ones deal with these manifestations. This workshop will include prayer,
stress reduction techniques, creative work, and more tips on how to listen
with compassion.
Ministry to the Bereaved: Create and Sustain Your Parish Ministry
This in-depth training and enrichment series is an opportunity for staff
and volunteers to focus on bereavement support in the parish setting.
Your knowledge, skills and confidence will be enhanced by exploring topics
on the grief process, communication and facilitation skills and forming
your parish plan. Activites, reflection and prayer will be included in
each session.