Grief Support Ministry: A Place to Find Strength, Healing, Friendship and Faith

Time and time again, the Grief Support Ministry has worked little miracles amid our parish family.

“Once, there were two ladies who came to our group alone, without knowing each other previously,” says Steward of Pastoral Care Benedetta Reece, who coordinates and leads Grief Support cycles of meetings. “They soon discovered that they were both grieving the loss of their husbands, that they lived within walking distance from each other, and that they both liked to quilt. They quickly became good friends after that!”

The Grief Support Ministry is a faith-based support group that serves anyone who is undergoing grief in any way. Parishioners Donnell Powell, Bill Moreland, and Carolyn Jones help Benedetta lead cycles of grief support meetings

“This group isn’t to provide therapy, but to show you what faith can do in your life,” Benedetta says. “

The purpose of our ministry is to help people break their grief open to be aware of and share the stumbling blocks that make their heart heavy, and to see how their faith can help them face and deal with what they find most difficult to overcome. It also provides a setting where they can find companionship. Too often people grieve alone and in silence, without realizing that unattended and unspoken grief grows roots. Being part of a group helps them realize that they are not alone on their path and that sharing feelings and holding on to each other in faith refills us with the strength that only God can provide.”

Through this beautiful ministry of hope, people find the strength, healing, faith, and friendship they need to travel the journey to heaven.

“Through our ministry, we have seen faith coming back into people’s hearts,” Benedetta says. “There have been some people who had lost their faith, but after spending time with our group, returned to it.”

The Grief Support Ministry was founded a little over 11 years ago, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit at work in Benedetta’s heart.

“At that time, I was working part-time as Coordinator for Pastoral Care Ministries, and a parishioner approached me and asked why we didn’t offer support for those who are grieving,” Benedetta says. “She asked me about it in such a deep and simple way. Afterward, I went home and thought about it, and later asked Fr. Jim about the idea.”

Opening her heart more and more to this inspiration, Benedetta rose up and became equipped for the task laid before her.

“Even though I had a great urge to help those who are grieving, I realized I didn’t have any experience or knowledge to start this kind of ministry,” she says. “So I decided to do some training, and I also consulted various parishioners who knew about grief support.”

Two years ago, the ministry was radically transformed in a wonderful way.

“When I felt confident about what I was doing, I opened up the ministry so that it would not only serve our own parishioners but also anyone, not just Catholics, in the community who is in need,” Benedetta says. “It is now there to help not just those who have lost a loved one, but anyone with a heavy heart, such as those who are grieving from a personal health diagnosis, the loss of a job, or marital troubles. It is a very diverse group!”

The Grief Support Ministry usually meets on Saturdays after the 9 a.m. Mass for a couple of hours until about noon. In the summertime, they meet on weekday evenings. Following each meeting, they go out to eat or enjoy a potluck. If you would like more information about this beautiful ministry of God’s mercy, please contact Benedetta Reece at 360-292-7143.

Steward of Pastoral Care Benedetta Reece