Germany: bereavement in schoolBereavement in the classroom: how should schools cope with the news of the death of a teacher, a pupil or of his/her relatives? This and other questions were addressed in Würzburg, Bavaria, by the pastoral crisis team: two representatives of school pastoral care, Helga Kiesel and Ulrich Geißler, the responsible for pastoral care Reinhold Grimm and twelve teachers of religion that have been devoting their expertise in the Land since 2004. Every year, since November 2005, the team holds three-day training courses, providing 22 Catholic and Protestant teachers the most appropriate resources to address such situations. “In addition to school psychologists and social workers, the courses are mostly attended by teachers of religion”, said Ulrich Geißler. Themes such as death and mourning are difficult to handle, thus participants must first ask to address their own experiences. “Help can be offered only after close self-meditation”, if not, a past unsolved problem risks hindering counselling service. Identifying the tools that helped overcome the mourning is the key to help others”. Kiesel provides 24hour phone counselling and on spot team-assistance in case of an emergency. Experts suggest addressing the unexpected loss and responding to children’s questions on death to help them come to grips with the situation of bereavement. Students can be helped to overcome the crisis and process their grief with a series of symbolic gestures, like a table placed in the centre of the classroom with a lit candle, a photo, or a book with everyone’s thoughts for the relatives. “Anyone can participate, even non-Christians”, in the full respect of the wish of the kinsmen, Geißler remarked. Indeed, some may wish not to speak often of the loss, in order to return to a state of normality as soon as possible. Returning to normality may be very hard. Also in this case, three different “rites” can be of great help: collecting the letters in a box to be handed to the relatives, or to be burnt; changing the class’ disposition in order to overcome the shock of the empty seat. But the memory and the pain linger on.Slovakia: the Church and the Euro Slovakia’s Catholic Church actively takes part in the information campaign in view of the Euro’s introduction in the Slovakian Republic, planned for January 1st 2009. Past spring, Slovakia’s national Bank selected 1,200 religious of the Roman and Greek Catholic Churches of Rome informing them on the modality and on the advantages of passing from the Slovakian Crown to the Euro. During meetings held in dioceses and Church institutions, the priests were briefed on the Euro in order to convey the information to senior citizens, and to lonely or sick people. “In general, many people in the Country are afraid of changes: this is why the Church supports measures aimed at containing this fear”, declared Cyril Jancisin, Executive Secretary of Slovakia’s Bishops’ Conference. “However -he added – the Church’s contribution is confined to personal contacts with the faithful”. Cyril Jancisin pointed out that propaganda for the Euro is forbidden during religious services, since “liturgy wouldn’t be the right place for this kind of action”.England: volunteers in the parish The diocese of Arundel and Brighton launched a new book on volunteer work in the parishes of England and Wales. “To love and serve the Lord” is the handbook providing guidelines for participating in the life of the parish. The author, Barbara Wallace, was the pastoral coordinator of the diocese of Arundel e Brighton. She currently works as volunteer work consultant and organizes workshops and conferences in this area. Barbara Wallace declared that her handbook is addressed to parish leaders. The idea was born after the consultation “Preparing together”, that bishop Msgr. Kieran Conry drew up for the faithful of the diocese of Arundel a few years ago. It was a survey on the aspirations and the difficulties experienced by parishioners. On the basis of their answers, Barbara Wallace realized that many people wished to be more closely involved in parish life. On the other hand, priests often don’t know how to spur the faithful’ involvement in Church activity. “My book offers practical advice on how to encourage individuals to actively live the mission of the Church. Saint Paul reminds us that each person was bestowed with gifts for a good purpose”.
