Skip to content
Dominican Friars Health Care Ministry of New York

Dominican Friars Health Care Ministry of New York

A Catholic Health Care Ministry
  • Home
  • Services
  • Group Reading
  • Multimedia
  • Reflections
  • About Us
  • Give

Reflections on Ethics, Faith, & Health Care: Now Featuring Discussion Posts on THE LOST ART of DYING, by L. S. Dugdale, MD

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 8, Pages 153-165

April 19, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 1 Comment

Death creates chaos on every level . . . Out of this vandalized shalom emerges ritual–the orderly, tradition-based, formal performances…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 7 Art, Pages 232-233

April 6, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 4 Comments

This image links the notion of ‘shalom’ (written here in Hebrew) to what is described in the chapter as “vandalized…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 7, Pages 145-151

March 22, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 5 Comments

The suggestion that the dead would eventually come alive again in restored bodies was not some peripheral, secondary belief. According…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 7, Pages 135-145

March 16, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 7 Comments

“Almost everyone becomes religious when they are dying.” Perhaps this is an overstatement–at least in a New England university town.…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 6 Art, Pages 230-231

March 1, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 6 Comments

The figure is an erect, humanized form of the hybrid creature from the Isenheim Altarpiece . . . if compared…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 6, Pages 123-133

February 22, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 11 Comments

And there he was. That anguished man on the cross, larger than life, bearing all the marks of ergotism. His…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 6, Pages 113-122

February 15, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 13 Comments

The Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald: The Antonites ‘prescribed’ viewing the altarpiece to those in their care who were suffering…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 5 Art, Pages 228-229

February 8, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 8 Comments

Dr. Dugdale’s comments on this image are interesting. She calls it disturbing and indicates that previous drafts were even more…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 5, Pages 100-111

February 2, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 9 Comments

In physiology . . we say that fear triggers a “flight or fight” response. When we feel threatened, we either…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 5, Pages 91-99

January 25, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 5 Comments

In my comments this week, I am going to skip over the initial pages of this chapter in which Dr.…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 4 Art, Pages 226-227

January 18, 2021 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 8 Comments

In different ways, this image seems both realistic and unrealistic. The man, the wheelchair, and the sign are depicted is…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 4, Pages 81-90

December 14, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 7 Comments

Not only did hospitals entice with medicine and procedure; they also offered a welcome respite to families and community members…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 4, Pages 71-81

December 7, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 8 Comments

Does it matter where we die? Page 71 As Dr. Dugdale suggests, there are several ways this question could be…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 3 Art, Pages 224-225

November 30, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 10 Comments

Dr. Dugdale tells us that this image depicts Mrs. Ito and evokes the Japanese danchi where she lived and where…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 3, Pages 59-69

November 23, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 4 Comments

Our communities of support do not have to be perfect, but they should feel hospitable. We should feel safe among…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 3, Pages 47-58

November 16, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 10 Comments

Was Mr. Bell lonely? . . . It is entirely possible, however, that Kleinfield’s title [“The Lonely Death of George…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 2 Art, pages 222-223

November 9, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 8 Comments

Here is Michael W. Dugger’s ink rendering for chapter 2: Here is the vanitas painting of Philippe de Champaigne that…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 2, Pages 34-45

November 2, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 14 Comments

[According to the original Ars Moriendi,] we have to acknowledge the possibility of death while we are still healthy [and]…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 2, Pages 25-34

October 26, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 10 Comments

She declined to discuss it. In her mind, the question she faced was whether she should choose to live a…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 1 Art, pages 220-221

October 18, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 13 Comments

One of the earliest versions of the Ars moriendi was illustrated. The art of human finitude provokes anticipation and preparation…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 1, pages 17-23

October 12, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 14 Comments

In this post, I will quote passages in Dr. Dugdale’s text that I find especially discussion worthy, pose questions about…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 1, Pages 1-17

October 5, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. 27 Comments

In this post, I will quote passages in Dr. Dugdale’s text that I find especially discussion worthy, pose questions about…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Group Reading Discussion Posts

An Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday

April 11, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Today is the eighteenth Holy Saturday of my life as a Dominican friar. This morning, for the eighteenth time, I…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Holy Week

Good Friday

April 10, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

In our Reflections during this Holy Week, we have tried to understand, enter into, receive from, and share the Paschal…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Holy Week

Holy Thursday: The Actions that Explain the Passion

April 9, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

The Eucharistic institution narrative from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians and the washing of feet narrative from Saint…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Holy Week

Jesus Celebrates the Passover with His Disciples

April 8, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

“In your house,” Jesus says, “I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples” (Matthew 26:18). In these words from today’s…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Holy Week

Spy Tuesday

April 7, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

The Tuesday of Holy Week has traditionally been referred to as “Spy Tuesday.” That designation comes from today’s Gospel reading…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Holy Week

Holy Week: Paschal Mystery and Sacramental Ministry

April 6, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Today we are reminded of the deep connections between the Paschal Mystery of our Lord that we celebrate especially during…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Holy Week

Palm Sunday: Passion and Triumph in Our Time

April 5, 2020 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Holy Week begins with a two-fold feast. It has two names: Palm Sunday of the Lord‘s Passion. And it’s Eucharistic…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Holy Week

Understanding Catholic Teaching About Artificial Nutrition and Hydration in the Light of Previous Church Teachings and the Catholic Moral Tradition

August 29, 2019 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

(This is a research paper. It is longer and more detailed than the “Reflections” on this page. Please enjoy.) Introduction…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Ethics, Faith, Healthcare

CARRYING the CROSS: SUFFERING, SICKNESS, and SACRIFICE

March 20, 2019 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Catholic liturgy, Scripture, Suffering

IS OURS a CULTURE of LIFE?

February 12, 2019 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Every human life is uniquely precious, of inestimable dignity, and worthy of being valued and protected. That truth, and the…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Ethics Filed under: Beginning of life health care, Human dignity

HOLY LAND: JESUS THERE and JESUS HERE

February 2, 2019 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Since writing my last Reflection, “Let Us Go to Bethlehem to See,” I have gone to Bethlehem and seen. I also…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Sacraments, Spirituality

LET US GO to BETHLEHEM to SEE

December 27, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

We are all familiar with the manger scene. Mary and Joseph kneel by the baby Jesus in the manger with…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Catholic liturgy, Christmas, Scripture

“GAUDETE!” ADVENT REJOICING in the MIDST of SORROW

December 16, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

The season of Advent, and Gaudete Sunday in particular, invites us to rejoice. In Year C, our readings on Gaudete…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Advent, Catholic liturgy, Hope, Scripture

R. I. P.

November 11, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. This is a prayer…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Death and dying, Scripture

LETTING OUR LOVED ONES GO HOME to GOD

October 28, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

The Catholic Church opposes euthanasia, understood as the deliberate killing of a person in order to end his or her…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Ethics Filed under: Death and dying, Human agency, Human dignity

LOOKING to WHAT IS UNSEEN: GOD’S GLORY in the SICK and SUFFERING

October 14, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

The fourth chapter of Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians is awash with paradox. He says in verse 18…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Death and dying, Scripture

THE STORY of JOSEPH and the PURPOSES of GOD for the SICK

October 7, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

You probably know the story of Joseph and his brothers that is told in chapters 37-50 of the Book of…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Scripture, Trust in God

THE PRO-LIFE VISION of SAINT PAUL

September 30, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Saint Paul is Pro Life. He clearly affirms the goodness of all God’s creation and the goodness of enjoying the…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Scripture

WHO AM I?

September 23, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

“You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Scripture, Spirituality

THE HEALING POWER of the CROSS

September 16, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Catholic liturgy, Scripture, Spirituality

DOES GOD ALWAYS ANSWER our PRAYERS?

September 9, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Yes! God always answers our prayers. Jesus assures us of this over and over again. “Ask and it will be…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Prayer, Scripture, Spirituality

THE MYSTERY of HUMAN SUFFERING in the PASSION of JESUS CHRIST

September 2, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

There are many good, true, and important answers that one could give in response to questions about the mystery of…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Scripture, Suffering

WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE SUFFER?: GOD’S ANSWER to JOB

August 26, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

The Old Testament Book of Job is about a good man whom God allows to suffer. The first verse introduces…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith Filed under: Scripture, Suffering, Trust in God

THE “WHY” QUESTION

August 19, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Why is this happening to me? Why did this happen to my child? What have I done to deserve this?…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Healthcare Filed under: Ministry, Prayer, Suffering

HEALTH CARE and HOPE

August 12, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

According to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, there are two kinds of hope.…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Healthcare Filed under: Hope

HEALTH CARE MINISTRY in the SPIRIT of SAINT DOMINIC

August 5, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

Saint Dominic is the Holy Founder of the Order of Preachers (the “Dominican” Order) that serves the parish community of…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Faith, Healthcare Filed under: Human dignity, Ministry

THE IMPORTANCE of STORYTELLING in HEALTH CARE

July 29, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

In one of their “Sunday Review” sections, The New York Times published an article titled “Why Doctors Need Stories.” It was written…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Healthcare Filed under: Human dignity, Ministry

THE ETHICS of BEGINNING-OF-LIFE HEALTH CARE, PART IV: KILLING for the PURPOSES of MEDICINE

July 22, 2018 Fr. Jonah Pollock, O.P. Leave a comment

We are once again considering the wrongfulness of direct abortion and, more generally, the deliberate killing of human beings in…

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Ethics, Healthcare Filed under: Beginning of life health care, Human agency, Human dignity

Post navigation

Page 1 of 3
1 2 3 Next →

Categories

  • Ethics
  • Faith
  • Group Reading Discussion Posts
  • Healthcare
  • Holy Week

Tags

Advent Beginning of life health care Catholic liturgy Christmas Church teaching Death and dying End of life health care Hope Human agency Human dignity Ministry Prayer Sacraments Scripture Spirituality St. Thomas Aquinas Suffering Trust in God

Recent Posts

  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 8, Pages 153-165 April 19, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 7 Art, Pages 232-233 April 6, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 7, Pages 145-151 March 22, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 7, Pages 135-145 March 16, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 6 Art, Pages 230-231 March 1, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 6, Pages 123-133 February 22, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 6, Pages 113-122 February 15, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 5 Art, Pages 228-229 February 8, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 5, Pages 100-111 February 2, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 5, Pages 91-99 January 25, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 4 Art, Pages 226-227 January 18, 2021
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 4, Pages 81-90 December 14, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 4, Pages 71-81 December 7, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 3 Art, Pages 224-225 November 30, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 3, Pages 59-69 November 23, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 3, Pages 47-58 November 16, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 2 Art, pages 222-223 November 9, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 2, Pages 34-45 November 2, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 2, Pages 25-34 October 26, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 1 Art, pages 220-221 October 18, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 1, pages 17-23 October 12, 2020
  • Discussion Post for THE LOST ART OF DYING, Chapter 1, Pages 1-17 October 5, 2020
  • An Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday April 11, 2020
  • Good Friday April 10, 2020
  • Holy Thursday: The Actions that Explain the Passion April 9, 2020
Copyright © 2021 Dominican Friars Health Care Ministry of New York