Bereavement - St Stephen Protomartyr

Bereavement Ministry

Helping Families in Times of Loss and Grief

“Wherever two of three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20

What We Are About
When people have experienced the death of a loved one, Bereavement Ministers try to make the funeral planning process a healing one. Our ministry is to extend the care and concern of the parish community to the grieving family by:
Meeting with them as soon as possible
Familiarizing them with the funeral liturgy and the choices they will be making
Helping them select meaningful Scripture readings and appropriate hymns
Gathering information about the deceased person to assist the ministers who will conduct the wake service and the funeral.
Praying with them
Attending the funeral
Staying in touch with the family over the following year, sending cards and making phone calls to check on how they are doing
Inviting them to the parish’s All Soul’s Day Mass of Remembrance

How Can You Help?
We are looking to add members to our corps of Bereavement Ministers. Being present to families in their time of loss of a loved one may seem somewhat daunting, even frightening. Actually those of us in this ministry have found it to be a gift.

It’s not what you say but how you LISTEN;
It’s not having answers, but having FAITH;
It’s not avoiding pain but holding on to each other and to God that are the HEART of this ministry.

To Learn More
In-service training is available. You will work with experienced ministers and come to a sense of readiness.

For More Information
Call the Office at 847-824-2026 or REGISTER here.