Bereavement

Pastoral Ministries

"If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living" (Romans 13:7-9).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

The Bereavement Committee at St. Mary's provides support to parishioners when a family member dies.

We meet two times each week in the Msgr. Bulman Meeting Room. Monday from 7:00 pm until 8:30 for those who have lost a child and, Wednesday from 7:00 pm until 8:30 for those who have lost a spouse, a relative or a friend. Our meetings are open ended, meaning you can come when you need to and stop when you want. You are welcome to come and talk about your loss or to simply listen. We hope you will join us.

Below are listed several excellent books which address the issues of death and bereavement from a solidly Catholic perspective:

• Love Never Dies, by: Sandy Goodman
• The Last Lecture, by: Randy Pausch
• The Bereaved Parent, by: Harriet Sarnoff Schiff
• The Shack, by: Wm. Paul Young
• When Every Day Matters, by: Mary Jane Hurley Brant
• When Men Grieve, by: Elizabeth Levang
• Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer by Jeff Cavins and Matthew Pinto, Ascencion Press: 2002.
• A Grief Unveiled: One Father's Journey Through the Death of a Child by Gregory Floyd, Paraclete Press: 1999.
• Midwife for Souls: Spiritual Care for the Dying by Kathy Kalina, Daughters of St. Paul: 1993.
• Love Is Stronger Than Death by Peter Kreeft, Ignatius Press: 1992.
• A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis: 1961.
• Blessed Are Those Who Mourn: Comforting Catholics in Their Time of Grief by Glenn M. Spencer Jr., Our Sunday Visitor: 1999.