About this Event

*IMPORTANT: This event has been cancelled due to low enrollment.  For more information on future events, please contact us.

This 6-week training course is designed for those who wish to start a bereavement ministry in their parish or who wish to grow in their ability to journey with those who are grieving. Topics include understanding grief, how to actively listen, facilitating a bereavement ministry/group, and how to provide resources for those who are grieving.

Session Topics*

Bereavement, Catholic Funerals and Traditions, and Cultural Differences

Topics covered include how to support the bereaved, what grief support looks like, informational knowledge of Catholic Funerals and traditions, and cultural differences.

Grief

Learn about healthy grief and unhealthy grief, the phases of grief, the reactions to grief, and the factors that influence grief.

Healing

What does healing mean in the grieving process? How can we walk with someone as they move out of grief and into healing, never forgetting the person but knowing that our faith can help us move forward? How does our Catholic faith and Catholic community support this?

Active Listening

Learn how to really listen to someone without giving advice or trying to make it better. Understand how to prepare ourselves to listen to someone’s story and how self-care and self-preparation are helpful in bereavement ministry.

Facilitation

Learn how to lead a bereavement group that will acknowledge people where they’re at and become comfortable with silence and emotions.

How to Start a Bereavement Group

We’ll give you the experience of a bereavement support group using the Seasons of Hope program. This will include discussing resources, intake procedures, promotion, and follow-up support.

Please note session order is subject to change. Session topics may or may not be presented in this order. Check back for updates; speakers will be added soon. No session on Thursday, Apr. 6.