Grief Support

“No rule book. No time frame.
 No judgment. Grief is as
 individual as a fingerprint.
 Do what is right for your soul.”

"The sorrow we feel when we lose a 
loved one is the price we pay to have
 had them in our lives." - Rob Liano

We are a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences.  You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
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 This week at a glance:
English - Every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Parish Life Center (front of lot) room 126. Walk-ins welcome.
Spanish - Every Monday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm , Parish Life Center (front of lot) room 126. Walk-ins welcome.
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 Coming up:
Special Events - Next Surviving the Holidays is Thursday November 14 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm , Parish Life Center (front of lot) room 126.. Walk-ins welcome.
Advanced English - Next Healing from Grief starts on Monday September 23 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm , offsite. Walk-ins with one year or more of grief support welcome. Contact us at griefshare@saintfaustinachurch.org for directions.
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Our goal: To help the mourner gradually become able to make attachments and investments in other persons and things once again.

Mission Statement: The death of a loved one is unlike any other loss. Whether the death was sudden or tragic or one with warning and preparation, the reality of death leaves most of us in a state of shock, confusion, and sadness. The resulting trauma, pain, and the ‘roller-coaster of emotions can be made much more bearable with the help of others who have a shared experience.

 Grief recovery is simply feeling better. It is the ability to find joy in life again. It is to treasure the memory of a loved one, to miss them and to live better because of the time in your life you spent with them, and to re-establish healthy relationships.

 The Grief Support Ministry provides those who are mourning and grieving the loss of a loved one, an opportunity, and safe space to hurt, heal, and mourn.  If you have lost a loved one and need help and support through the grieving process, we are here for you.

"My expectations have been met beyond measure. The facilitators were comforting and compassionate. They truly know how to guide people during this difficult time of loss. The group was absolutely great, open to share and comfort each other." - Maria Lila Herrera

"I gained comfort, peace, and a possible roadmap through grief from this group. My expectations have definitely been met and more so. I've made friends who feel like family." - Amy Lanouette

"While I am not totally at peace, I have come a long way. I think I am still trying to accept that my wife has gone to be with the Lord, more importantly that she IS with God. I am very pleased that my daughter led me to this group. I want to express a BIG THANK YOU for all that shared their thoughts and to the moderators that led us." - Sam Edwards

The New Day Journal (English and Spanish) - A 10-week structured virtual walk-through of the four "tasks" of grieving, your new life situation, and how to plan for the future. Every Tuesday (English) and Monday (Spanish) in the Winter and Summer. In each meeting, participants work through one element of the grieving process using prayer, reflection, sharing, and journaling.

Surviving the Holidays (English only) - A two-hour special event designed to help the bereaved through the difficult holiday season and other "firsts" of their new state in life. Held on a Thursday every May and November.

Healing from Grief (English only) - A 13-week structured in-person Christian-based grief recovery program designed to show participants who have been working on their grief for a year or more how to honor and tell the story of their love one. Every Monday in the Spring and Fall. At each meeting, participants work through one aspect of the grieving experience using prayer, reflection, sharing, and journaling.

We need generous and compassionate hearts who have suffered the loss of a loved one to answer the call to help facilitate the Grief Support Ministry program. Our seminars and support groups are led by people who have lost a loved one and understand the challenges people like them face. They know how important it is to be able to share our struggles and understand just how much words of loving support can mean to someone during the most difficult time in their life. They receive training in all of the resources we provide.

Some resources you may want to check out if you are considering joining this ministry can be found below.

If you have suffered a loss yourself, you know how difficult and lonely the grief process can be. If you have the empathy to listen to hurting people and the compassion needed to help them recover from their loss and look forward to rebuilding their lives, this is a ministry you should be interested in. We are a group of compassionate lay people who understand how difficult the death of someone we dearly love can be. If you are a good listener with a caring heart who has lost a loved one, we need you to walk the grief journey with hurting people. Nobody should have to grieve alone and forgotten!