After the Diagnosis...: A Guide for Living

Regardless of our age or status, any one of us could be faced with a diagnosis - it might be a curable sickness or a chronic disease, a serious condition or a terminal illness. In the 21st century, dying is, more often than not, an elongated process that may stretch out for many years. And since all of us will, eventually, die, the question is, how do we live well while dying? How can we avoid being bullied by the obsessive inner voices of anxiety and fear that leave us self-absorbed and disconnected from the very life we hope to save?

In this book, we'll share a rare slice of heaven that can be grasped on this side of the grave, at any point along the path of living and dying. A place beyond acceptance. A place of transformation in which we can realize, in the fullest, purest way, what our life's purpose has been, and what an amazing gift we can entrust to those we'll leave behind. We can learn to embrace mystery, to understand that our suffering can be transformative. Our legacy can become one of love - pure, powerful, and eternal.

It's never too early to embark on this work of living and loving that begins and ends with God. Healing work that deepens faith and enriches relationships, inspires open, honest, and loving conversations, and frees us from the burdens of our ego selves. As inspirational as it is practical, this book is intended for patients and caregivers, friends and family - anyone struggling to live life wholly and joyfully during the challenges of sickness, dying, and death.

REVEREND THOMAS F. LYNCH has been the pastor of St. James Parish in Stratford, CT for thirty years. Under his leadership this vital, engaged community of faith was named one of the top 100 Excellent Catholic Parishes in the U.S. Committed to issues of social justice and living the radical demands of the gospel, St. James has earned a reputation for bringing discipleship to life. At St. James Fr. Tom has walked compassionately with hundreds of parishioners, family members, and friends to the threshold between this world and the next. Fr. Tom has served as Family Life Representative for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and is currently serving as a Dean within the Diocese of Bridgeport. An experienced family and marriage counselor, he brings together a deep understanding of the spiritual and emotional components that empower the open, honest, and loving conversations loved ones need to have as they walk this path together.

BARBARA MARICONDA is the award-winning author of scores of books for adults, young adults, and children, including an Edgar nominated middle grade novel, a picture book that was a National Best Books and Children's Choice finalist and a Moonbeam Award Gold Medal winner. Co-founder of Empowering Writers, LLC, she has authored a multitude of professional books for teachers and has presented to thousands of educators across the U.S. and Canada. Her trilogy published by HarperCollins titled The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons and her young adult novel Bird with the Heart of a Mountain (Skyscape Books) delve into themes of family, love, and death, exploring the edges and undercurrents of life that can be sensed and experienced, but never grasped - the stuff of mystery, magic, and spirituality. She is an accomplished singer and liturgical musician, having served as music director at St. James Parish for over fifteen years. She is a recipient of the St. Augustine Medal of Service Award for leading the St. James Community of Faith closer to God through song.