Journey to Light - Bereavement Ministry

All who have experienced the loss of a loved one are welcome to join us for the Journey to Light Bereavement Ministry

New Participants Always Welcome!

The Bereavement Ministry at St. Aloysius welcomes anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, at whatever stage of the journey.  The purpose of this ministry is to accompany and guide participants through their grieving process and to compassionately meet people where they are.  Our main resource book, the New Day Journal By Mauryeen O’Brien, O.P., is supplemented by the work of Harold Ivan Smith, The A,B,Cs of Healthy Grieving and  A Decembered Grief, Jan Warner, Grief Day-by-Day, Martha W. Hickman, Healing After Loss, Paula D’Arcy, Grief – A Formidable Foe, A Fierce Ally, and pertinent articles.

Coordinator Kathleen Donnelly directed Bereavement Ministry at St. Pius X in Fairfield for 15 years and is a certified Spiritual Director.  Kathleen leads each session, encourages self-reflection, and facilitates the discussion that arises. A core group who have participated for several years generously share “best practices” and offer a listening ear and support. Each person who attends brings an added dimension to the session that is invaluable to the healing that God provides. We begin and end with prayer.

Grief is a normal process; it is a journey of utmost importance and is not bound by a timeline. Grief demands our attention: we learn to manage it seamlessly when we are supported by prayer and accompanied by others on the same journey. Participants in our parish Bereavement Ministry listen to and encourage one another with a caring, compassionate spirit.

The Bereavement Ministry meets monthly on a designated Wednesday, from 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m. in Stapleton Hall. 

For more information regarding our parish monthly program of support and direction, please contact Patricia Pagano:  bereavement@starcc.com