Bereavement Ministry

St Matthew's Bereavement Ministry was established to offer spiritual and emotional support to those in our community who are experiencing loss and grief because of the death of a loved one.

The ministry offers support by:

• Attending wake and/or liturgical services.
• Sending cards.
• Making telephone calls.
• Offering prayer
• "Just "being there."
• Offering information on grieving and support groups.
• Mass of Remembrance.
   

Grief is a personal affair

A person is never prepared for the death of a loved one. No matter the circumstances of the loss, there is always sadness, heartache and emptiness. As one struggles to go on with life after a loved one dies, painful questions must be faced:

• How can I handle the anguish of grief?
• How can I find peace, joy and meaning in life again?
• How can I learn to trust life and love again?
   

Grief is a family affair

Each family member is touched in his or her own unique way when a family member dies. Spouse, parent, sibling or other relatives will each respond differently to the loss of their loved one.  Each person asks the same question, "Why'" Each will come up with a different answer to that age-old question, and each one will find a different way of how to go on living with their grief.

Grief is a parish affair

St. Matthew's parishioners have been ministering to the community for some time by visiting the sick and homebound and by attending wakes. The Bereavement Ministry carries this ministry further by staying in contact with the survivors and offering support in the difficult times following a death. The members let the grieving person know that he or she is not alone. There is always someone else who cares, who shares their grief, who prays with them.