News

November 5, 2018

Coping with the Loss of a Loved One during the Holidays

Fall River, Mass. – The loss of a family member or friend in death is the greatest loss one faces. Most of us are physically, emotionally and spiritually affected by the death of a loved one. 

To help those who have lost a loved one, Saint Anne’s Hospital’s Office of Spiritual Care offers two grief education and bereavement series to meet the needs of area residents. Separate programs – one in English and one conducted in Portuguese – invite those who have lost a loved one to share and explore their feelings, and learn ways to accept and to cope with their grief, in a confidential, compassionate and safe setting.

Both series are facilitated by Sister Judith A. Costa, S.S.D., M. Div., a member of Saint Anne’s Spiritual Care team who is bilingual English-Portuguese. Sr. Judith is certified in thanatology (death, dying and bereavement) and is a certified pastoral counselor, academy certified master chaplain level three, and fellow in the American Psychotherapy Association.  

Upcoming sessions in English include:
•    November 28: “Spirituality and Grief”
•    December 12: “The Meaning of Christmas after Loss”

Upcoming sessions in Portuguese include:
•    November 21: "O conforto da fé" ("Faith, and the Comfort It Offers Us")
•    December 19: "O significado do Natal quando em luto" ("The Meaning of Christmas When Grieving")

All sessions are held from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Stoico/ FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care at Saint Anne's Hospital, Fall River. Participants are welcome to attend any or all sessions throughout the year. There is no charge, and advance registration is not required.  

For more information about these grief and bereavement programs, contact Sister Judith Costa, 508-345-2660. Additional information also is available at saintanneshospital.org/events

About Saint Anne’s Hospital
Founded by the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation in 1906, Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts, is a full-service, acute care Catholic hospital with 211 beds and satellite locations in Attleboro, Swansea, Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Stoughton, Massachusetts. 

A member of Steward Health Care, Saint Anne’s provides nationally recognized patient- and family-centered inpatient care and outpatient clinical services to patients from surrounding Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities. Recognitions include “Straight A’s” for patient safety since 2012 and the 2017 Top Hospital award from the Leapfrog Group; Women’s Choice Awards as one of America’s best hospitals for cancer care and orthopedic care; and dual Patient Safety Excellence and Outstanding Patient Experience awards from Healthgrades. 

Saint Anne’s key services include the Center for Orthopedic Excellence; multiple robotic-assisted surgical capabilities; Saint Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer Center; two ambulatory surgery centers; the Center for Pain Management; a spine center; and inpatient geriatric psychiatry services.

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