Volume 8, Issue 3 May/June 2017
Calvary in Touch
Greetings
Inside this issue:
1 Greetings
Memorial Day Rituals
2 Memorial Day Rituals
Spotlight On
3 Spotlight On
What’s New
To a large degree, how we cope with the
death of a loved one involves creating
rituals and ways we can remember them.
Rituals allow us to maintain a connection
with our loved ones while also being a
source of comfort for us. ‘Private’ rituals
are those that we do alone or perhaps
with family and friends. There are also
the more ‘public’ rituals, which are the
rituals we do as a community, perhaps in
our house of worship. Rituals can be
religious or they can be secular.
4 Events
They can be performed only once or
twice, or they can be continuously
implemented as we see fit. The focus of
this May-June issue is to recognize
different forms of rituals that may be
helpful to us in our healing process. Our
imagination needs no bounds as we can
create meaningful rituals that will be
helpful to ourselves and to our families.
We hope that you take advantage of some
of the rituals discussed here, and
create new ones.
5 Events
6 Bereavement
Calendar
Memorial Day Rituals
7 Contacts
The impact of a death is far reaching and
not just a private happening, It is a social
experience that directly affects the dying
person, bereaved family as well as friends,
acquaintances, and communities. The rituals surrounding death help us to work
through our grief.
The public grief that followed the
attacks on the World Trade Center
created many examples of rituals. After
9/11 there were no prescribed rituals to
help us mourn thousands of people. We
invented these rituals to help us. With
candles and some flowers people
transformed ordinary sidewalks and
street corners into sacred spaces. Here
friends, family, or a passerby could pause
to pray, reflect on the tragedy, and leave
whatever offerings they thought
appropriate.
From the Egyptian pyramids to
American naval ships, from ancient handhewn stones to modern bronze monuments, we honor our dead.
Memorials for our veterans can be seen
throughout the country – not
only in Washington DC.
Continued on page 2
PAGE 1
Memorial Day Rituals
While many think that Memorial Day
signifies the start of summer, it is actually
a special holiday filled with many rituals,
including visiting cemeteries and
memorials.
· There is a national moment of
remembrance that takes place at 3 PM
The flag of the United States is flown
at half-staff from dawn until noon,
local time.
· Volunteers and families often place
American flags on each gravesite.
· Members of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW) stand outside shopping
centers and stores receiving donations
for poppies, one of the man symbols
of Memorial Day. The poppy’s
significance to Memorial Day is the
result of the poem, In Flanders Fields,
written by John McCrae.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae
Spotlight On: The Invisible String
Books are a wonderful way to both
introduce the topic of death to children
and help them cope with the death of
A loved one. Calvary’s Precious
Moments (children 6-11) support
groups often utilize arts and crafts to
help children express their grief. In
one Bronx support group session,
children were able to listen to a
reading of the book The Invisible String
by Patrice Karst. It’s a simple,
Beautiful story that reminds all people
that they are always connected by an
invisible string of love.
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Children were able to speak about their
own connections to both deceased love
ones and also to support systems around
them. Following the reading of the book,
they had an opportunity to add their own
invisible strings to a group mobile. The
activity continues to serve as a reminder
that in your heart, you are always
connected to those you love.
Spotlight On: Charlotte's Web Movie Event
On Sunday, March 26th, 2017, Calvary’s
Bereavement Department hosted its first
Family Movie Event of the year where all
family and friends were invited to watch
the film “Charlotte’s Web”. Families were
given the opportunity to enjoy the classic
film along with movie treats including
popcorn, chips, candies, and of course, an
ice cream bar.
After the film, the bereavement
counselors led a discussion and
reflection with all who attended. The
event was filled with fun, laughter, and
gave families a chance to come together.
We look forward to hosting more
engaging and exciting events throughout
the year!
What’s New: Manhattan Precious Moments Group
Calvary Hospital’s Grief and Bereavement
Services will soon be starting a “Precious
Moments” group in Manhattan! The group
is offered to children between the ages of
6 to 11, who have experienced the death
of a loved one. This group is open to both
Calvary Hospital families, as well as community members, and it is free of charge.
The group itself will be located at:
and express themselves on a topic that is
usually difficult for them to share. In this
space, children are given the time and
attention needed to find their voice and
to disclose their feelings. Most often, this
is done through artistic expression such
as arts and crafts, storytelling, and
puppetry.
If you know of or are in contact with
St. Jean Baptiste High School
children who may benefit from this
173 East 75th Street
group, please feel free to contact
New York, NY
Brittany Dalbow, Bereavement
rd
between 3 and Lexington Avenues
Counselor, at (646) 771-6604 to schedule an initial intake for the group, as well
“Precious Moments” is an age-appropriate as to gain further information.
group designed for children to come and
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Events:
Honoring Our Parents Workshop
Brooklyn Workshop:
Our parents, grandparents, and other
parental figures are such a vital part of who
we are and who we become. The death of
these individuals, like many other losses,
can leave us feeling lost.
Date: Thursday, May 25th
Time: 5:30-7:00
Location: St. Josephs High School
80 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn NY
11201
Developing coping skills to deal with
difficult days such as holidays is important.
We have put together a creative workshop
where you can share memories and
participate in a creative expression of
grief. The creative workshops are helpful
gatherings where people can share these
feelings and ideas of how to handle difficult
moments and explore ways to remember
their loved one.
Bronx Workshop:
Date: Wednesday, May 31st
Time: 1:00-2:30 and 6:00-7:30
Location: Calvary Hospital
1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx NY 10461
The workshop is open to all adults and
is free of charge. Refreshments will be
served. If you are interested in
attending, please RSVP to Lynn Marie
at 718-518-2173.
Hospice Foundation of America’s About the Program: While most
individuals experiencing loss face grief,
Living with Grief® Series
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most grievers can cope with loss and subCalvary Hospital is pleased to announce sequent grief in ways defined by their
culture as appropriate and can fulfill,
that we are, once again, participating in
after brief and intermittent impairment,
the Hospice Foundation of America’s
their social and workplace roles. HowLiving with Grief® series. We will be
hosting a webcast entitled “When Grief is ever, research shows that between 10 and
20 percent of individuals who
Complicated” which will be held on
experience loss experience more disaTuesday, May 23, 2017 from 1:00 to
bling reactions, including Complicated
3:30pm at Calvary Hospital, 1740
Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461. The Grief or other conditions triggered by the
loss, such as PTSD, Major Depressive
webcast will also be hosted at St. Joseph
Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder,
High School, 80 Willoughby Street,
Adjustment Disorder, or substance
Brooklyn, NY 11201 at a later date.
abuse. Complicated Grief reactions may
Please contact Lynne Marie Pappalardi at also be a factor in physical illness. This
718-518-2173 for more information and program looks at how to identify disato register. This program is offered free of bling grief reactions and when referrals to
specially trained clinicians or professioncharge.
als may be indicated and necessary. This
program is 2 hours, with an additional 30
minute post-program discussion required
for CE
credits.
Events: Movie Matinees
Friday, May 5th
1:00 p.m.—3:30 pm
The Way
"The Way" is a powerful and inspirational
story about family, friends and the challenges we face while navigating this
ever-changing and complicated world. An
American doctor, Tom (Martin Sheen),
comes to France to deal with the tragic
loss of his son. Rather than return home,
Tom decides to embark on the historical
pilgrimage to honor his son's desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn't plan on
is the profound impact the journey will
have on him. Inexperienced as a trekker,
Tom soon discovers that he will not be
alone on this journey. Tom meets others
from around the world, each with their
own issues and looking for greater
meaning in their lives.
Friday, June 2nd
1:00 p.m.—3:30 pm
My Sister’s Keeper
“My Sister’s Keeper” is an inspiring film
about a loving family challenges and
united by a child’s illness. The film brings
sensitivity to the story of 11-year-old
Anna Fitzgerald who is conceived to be a
donor for her leukemia-stricken sister.
Anna demands the right to control her
own body. This act of free will may tear
the Fitzgerald’s apart. Or it may be the
first step to a triumphant realization of
devotion, dignity, and what it means to
be a family.
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Monthly Calendar
BRONX GROUPS
BRONX GROUPS (cont.)
MANHATTAN GROUPS
Adult Death of a Child
Wednesday: Rashida
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Every other Thursday: Sherry
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Men’s Discussion Group
Every other Thursday: Sherry
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Precious Moments
for Children 6-11
Tuesday: Brittany
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Precious Moments
for Children Ages 6-11
Thursday: Rashida
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Death of a Spouse/Partner
Tuesday: Raman
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Tuesday: Andrew
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday: Amy
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 pm
Spanish Speaking Group
TBA
Young Adult Group
Monday Rashida
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Teen Group Ages 12-17
Tuesday: Rashida
4:45 pm - 6:15 pm
Adult Death of a Parent
Wednesday: Stephanie
6:00 pm—7;30 pm
Death of a Sibling
Tuesday: Raman
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
A Meaning Center Psychotherapy
Group
Wednesday: Raman
5:30 pm—7:00 pm
___________________
Calvary Hospital
1740 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10461
BROOKLYN GROUPS
Precious Moments
for Children 6-9
Tuesday: Maria
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Death of a Spouse/Partner
Monday: Joanne
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Death of a Young Spouse/Partner
Tuesday: Maria
6:00 pm 7:30 pm
Adult Death of a Parent
Friday: Joanne
5:45 pm - 7:15 pm
Death of a Child
Wednesday: Maria
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday: Joanne
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Teen Group Ages 12-17
Wednesday: Maria
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
In-Be-Tween Group Ages 10-12
Thursday: Joanne
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
__________________
St. Joseph High School
80 Willoughby Street
Adult Death of a Parent
Wednesday: Brittany
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
Death of a Spouse/Partner
Wednesday: Brittany
7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Thursday: Brittany
6oo pm - 7:30 pm
Teen Group Ages 12-17
Thursday: Brittany
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
______________________
St. Jean Baptiste High School
173 East 75th Street
New York, NY 10021
MEMORIAL SERVICES
Bronx Christian
May 13
June 10
Bronx Jewish
May 21
Brooklyn Christian
July 30
Brooklyn Jewish
May 7
Manhattan Non-Denominational
TBA in the next Issue of the
Newsletter
Brooklyn, NY 11201
PAGE 6
Contacts
Sherry Schachter, PhD, FT
(718) 518-2125 [email protected]
Brittany Dalbow, MA
(646) 771-6604
[email protected]
Maria Georgopoulos, LMHC, FT
(646) 739-1005
[email protected]
Amy Glasgow, MA, LMHC, GC-C (718) 518-2196
[email protected]
Stephanie Mastropaolo, LMSW
(718) 518-2574
[email protected]
Raman Mohabir, LMHC-NCC
(917) 708-0133
[email protected]
Andrew Ostergren, LCSW
(718) 518-2364
[email protected]
Lynne Marie Pappalardi
(718) 518-2173
[email protected]
Joanne Romero, MA
(917) 574-4941
[email protected]
Rashida Sanchez, MA
(718) 518-2370
[email protected]
Tree of Life
Through the Tree of Life, we can recognize your
significant naming gift in a permanent and
meaningful manner. Your loved one’s name will
exist in perpetuity with the lifetime of the
Hospital.
This a loving way of memorializing someone
special to you or saying thank you, because your
gift of love helps patients and families today and
for many years to come.
For more information on the Tree of Life,
contact Sandrina Fernandez at 718-518-2039.
Calvary In Touch has been made possible by a generous bequest from Michael Camara
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