Support Meetings for Bereavement Ministers
Our quarterly meetings are an opportunity to debrief, discuss and support bereavement ministries in parishes. This is an important way to get to know each other, find out what is happening in other parishes as well as support each other in this difficult ministry.
The meetings are open to those who have attended a pastoral care workshop or bereavement training, or are running a bereavement ministry in their parish. This will also be a good opportunity for those wanting to start a bereavement ministry to ask questions.
Upcoming meetings will be held on the following dates from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom:
Please invite all members of your team to attend. Everyone will be given a chance to report on what is happening in their parish and ask questions. We ask that you please turn your cameras on during meetings.
Bereavement Support Training
This six-session training is offered periodically depending on interest. If you are interested in taking this bereavement support training program, please let us know.
Topics covered include how to support the bereaved, what grief support looks like, informational knowledge of Catholic funerals and traditions, and cultural differences.
Learn about healthy grief and unhealthy grief, the phases of grief, the reactions to grief, and the factors that influence grief.
What does healing mean in the grieving process? How can we walk with someone as they move out of grief and into healing, never forgetting the person but knowing that our faith can help us move forward? How does our Catholic faith and Catholic community support this?
Learn how to really listen to someone without giving advice or trying to make it better. Understand how to prepare ourselves to listen to someone’s story and how self-care and self-preparation are helpful in bereavement ministry.
Learn how to lead a bereavement group that will acknowledge people where they’re at and become comfortable with silence and emotions.
We’ll give you the experience of a bereavement support group using the Seasons of Hope program. This will include discussing resources, intake procedures, promotion, and follow-up support.