Final thoughts

Lisa Calderone-Stewart is a youth minister with a dying wish: that her program, Tomorrow's Present [1], continues after she succumbs to cancer. She wrote an article on youth ministry, Does the church put faith in our youth? [2], in U.S. Catholic, and now she is blogging about the spiritual process of dying on our website. Here are her blog posts:

The dying wish of a youth ministry pioneer [3]
A blog post by Executive Editor Meinrad Scherer-Emunds about Lisa.

Don't sit on the edge of the pool. Plunge into Lent [4]
Lisa looks forward to exercising her soul during what may be her last Lent.

Forgive us our sins [5]
Her son's story of asking for forgiveness inspires Lisa's image of heaven. 

For whom the clock changes [6] 
"Spring forward" has Lisa looking hopefully to the future.

These holy days [7]
Last year, Lisa spend her holiest of Holy Weeks in hospice with her mom. This year she's anticipating her own heavenly holy days. 

Easter season comes with stories [8]
Family stories told at the holidays increase in meaning for Lisa as death nears.

Interfaith dialogue from youth to life's end [9]
We can continue to learn from other faiths, even at the end of our lives.

Carpe Diem [10]
Along with her anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer, Lisa Calderone-Stewart celebrates major transitions at work and in life.

Mary, Martha, and cancer [11]
Cancer can change the way you hear this week's gospel reading about Martha and Mary and debate between action and reflection.

Living with death and a DNR [12]
What's life like when you wear a "Do Not Resuscitate" bracelet?

Enjoying one bite at a time in hospice [13]
Whether in good health or in hospice, the reality of death shouldn't stop us from savoring life.

When the head and heart conflict [14]
The process of nearing life's end teaches us to go with the heart over the head.

Crafting perfect Christmas memories [15]
Mistakes and tears are all forgotten when one family looks back on their tradition of making crafts.

Dying to know you [16]
While there's no rhyme or reason to explain terminal illness, we're all on the same path toward death.

Go Slow. Fast. [17]
In her second "last Lent," Lisa Calderone-Stewart still finds value in fasting.

A burdensome Lenten journey [18]
Even Jesus didn't want to take the journey he had to take before reaching Easter Sunday.

Seize another 365 days [19]
Lisa Calderone-Stewart celebrates another year of living with cancer.

Everyone needs a bucket list [20]
Bucket lists aren't just for the dying—and they should include more than just adventures.

Watermelons, watermelons, everywhere [21]
The quintessential summer fruit, seeds and all, is a metaphor for the sweetness of life and the bitterness of cancer.

Waiting for the end [22]
Lisa describes how the process of dying can be like watching a house come down around you.

Autumn lessons [23]
As the weather cools and the trees begin their transformation from green to gold to brown, lessons on life can be seen all around.

The honeymoon is over; the love is not
[24]Passing through the phases of dying are a reminder that no matter how the body deteriorates, we are still fully loved.