TranslateBereavement Ministry
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Contact Us
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Debbie D'Agostaroddagosdioceseoftrenton.orgAdministrative Assistant: Department of Catechesis
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Bereavement Facilitator Training
Course - Spring 2023
The Archdiocese of Newark's Family Life Ministry will once again offer a
Bereavement Ministry Support Training course virtually beginning this Spring
Six Wednesday evenings from 7-9 PM April 19th - May 24th, 2023This training is designed for those who wish to become facilitators for existing parish bereavement support groups or for those who wish to begin a bereavement support ministry at their parish or online. The fee is $85.00 a participant.
Topics include:
· Overview of Loss, Grief & Mourning and current theories
· Grief in special circumstances, including grief during a pandemic.
· Assessing the need for a referral· Importance of bereavement ministry for the parish
· Reaching out to those on the peripheries, especially those feeling lost and alone· Counseling skills: How to listen and ask questions that facilitate healing
· How to start facilitating a parish-based bereavement support group
· The impacts of covid on grief and ministry
For more information and registration,
click here. -
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Grief Hurts. When we've lost someone we love, it can feel as though we've lost a part of ourselves. Sometimes we wonder if we will ever feel whole again. The pain of grief can be emotional, spiritual and sometimes even physical. Some people cry a lot, others not at all, and many cry now and then. It is all normal, and it is all okay. Feeling sad is a natural response to losing someone who was an important part of our life. Many people experience a lack of energy and sadness while grieving. Some describe being "in a fog" and finding it difficult to perform simple tasks. Some people want to be around their friends and family, and others prefer to be left alone. Grief looks different with each person who experiences it.
Parish-Based Grief Support GroupsMany of our parishes offer peer grief support groups for persons who have experienced a loss. It can be very helpful to share your grief with others who understand and share your faith. Our faith is a great source of hope and comfort at a time of loss. We believe in Eternal Life and Christ's promise: "I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in me, though he dies, yet he shall live." John 11;25
RAINBOWS Ministry for Children
The Rainbows (www.rainbows.org) program fosters emotional healing among children, teens and adults grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis. It is available to parishes, schools, religious education and youth programs in the diocese. Organized according to guidelines formulated by the international RAINBOWS organization, coordinators and facilitators must be trained prior to offering the program. Questions? Contact 609-403-7175
You can find parish-faith-based support groups listed by county and parish HERE (updated 12-2022)
In addition, there are some community-based organizations that can help HERE.
Parish Counseling Services is short term counseling for parishoners through their local parish - click here to read more.
Take Care of Yourself
It is important to try to take care of ourselves while we are mourning a loss. We might forget to eat or maybe aren't getting enough sleep. Others find they are eating much more than usual, or sleeping all day long. Try to be aware of any of these tendencies, and don't ignore them. Keep connected to people in your life who understand what you are going through. Don't hesitate to ask them fof help with day to day tasks, which can seem overwhelming, especially in the early stages of grief. If you don't feel well, it is always a good idea to see a medical doctor to make sure that there is nothing else going on, in addition to the grieving process. Your doctor may be able to offer advice or suggestions to help you cope with grief.
There is no set formula for grief. Unfortunately, grief doesn't follow a set pattern. It can linger on, and it can ebb and flow. One day we might feel a little better than before, but then the next day, we may feel very sad again. Don't worry that you are not grieving well-enough, or fast enough. There are no set formulas for grief. It is different for each and every person. It is normal for grief to last for months, sometimes longer, after a loss. But, it is important to seek help if your grief is prolonged, and you cannot stop crying on a daily basis.
When the sadness persists, seek help. Sometimes support groups aren't enough. Sometimes, asking friends and family for help isn't helping. You may feel that your sadness is interfering with living your life, doing what you need to do on a daily basis. If you feel that you are overcome with sadness and cannot function, please seek professional support, such as a counselor or other mental health professional. Our diocese has a very affordable program, which can help you find a licensed Catholic mental health professional for your particular situation. Please contact your Pastor to find out more about the Diocese of Trenton "Parish Counseling Services", or contact them directly at 609-403-7203.
If you are having suicidal thoughts or are making plans to end your life:- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
- or, go to your nearest Hospital Emergency Room
- or, call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
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