The Bereavement Ministry is support group for anyone who has lost a loved one in death.  It is a six-week seminar conducted (normally in the fall of each year)  in the Education Building on a selected day of the week.   The highly trained facilitators will conduct the weekly two and one half hour sessions (from 9:30 AM to 12:00 noon) of each week. Before each session, an announcement is placed in the parish bulletin.  Every attempt is made to contact the families of those who have passed since our last session, However, if for some reason you have not been contacted or you know someone that could benefit from our ministry, do not hesitate to contact any of the facilitators listed below.   Each of our facilitators has “been there” by experiencing their own loss of loved ones. Our six weeks together will give you an opportunity to understand your reaction to death and the process of grieving and healing.  It is a process in which one begins to find solace and the means to cope and rebuild within oneself.  Unless we allow our feelings concerning death to be felt honestly and fully, we cannot walk in peace and newness of life effectively.  We hope that this support group-workshop will help you find your dynamic spirituality through your religious beliefs to go on living and to reestablish ties of love and support with gods help.

Each participant is provided with a comprehensive loose leaf notebook which covers the following topics:
Week (1) - Introduction and What to Expect – “The Grief Process”
Week (2) - When Going to Pieces May Hold You Together – “Learning How to Cope”
Week (3) - Society’s Attitude Toward Grief and Your Response – “Communication”
Week (4) - Unfinished Business – Your Emotions –“Denial, Guilt, Anger”, Plus -
            Experiencing Your Feelings – “A Journey Through Loss and Letting Go”
Week (5) - Where DO I Go From Here? -   “Decisions, Decisions”, Plus - Holiday Hints
Week (6) - Review and Luncheon

Many strong and meaningful friendships have developed during our previous sessions and groups have subsequently elected to continue meeting frequently for lunch.
Please contact any of our facilitators:
Fran Schwehm at 910.295.8037, Jim Schrum at 910.673.9320, Don Galligan at 910.246.6066  or Kathleen Voltz at 420.2135.