2 minute read
New Life Ladies: Ministry Gives Widows Opportunity To Connect
When Beata Nabity lost her husband, Alfred, she recognized how lonely the grieving process can often be. In turn, she realized that being with others who are also processing their own grief may help ease some of the pain and isolation. During Mass one morning a few years after Alfred’s passing, Beata had the idea to create a way for widows to connect and share.
“I just thought, ‘All of these widows have a story to tell,’” she says. “I knew how I was feeling and doing, and I wanted a way to share this and allow other women to do the same. Maybe we could even have some fun along the way.”
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Around this same time, Fr. Don Buhrman approached her after Mass and asked if she would consider starting a widows group. For Beata, that sealed the deal. She and parishioner Elizabeth Harrison got a list of widows from the parish office and started making calls to gather ideas and contact information for the New Life Ladies group. The first gathering was a potluck, and the group has evolved from there. Mostly, the New Life Ladies group is a way to show widows they are not alone.
Beata sends an email about once a month to keep the women upto-date on happenings with the group. In the past, the group has had a winery tour and has enjoyed playing, cards, Bunco, viewing movies, and a wine and cheese party. However, because of COVID-19, most of 2020 was put on hold. Most recently, a small group had been gathering on Mondays to watch The Chosen video series, which depicts Jesus as He chose the apostles. A lively discussion followed.
“One of the quotes in the movie is ‘Get used to different,’” Beata says. “I am using that as my go-to motto because I think that quote is pertinent now, too.”
Beata is thankful for Elizabeth, who does all the calling to those recently widowed.
“Every widow is a member of this group, whether they attend events or not,” Beata says.
She hopes this group can be a jumping-off point for widows to meet one another and maybe form their own circles of friends. The members are all there for one another.
“We are all one family in Christ,” Beata says. “When we can get together and share our stories, that helps all of us grow in faith.”
The New Life Ladies group viewed the video series The Chosen last fall.
