Bereavement Ministry
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The caring and compassionate members of the Bereavement Ministry offer support to families who have lost a loved one.
The Bereavement Ministry assists the priest and family in planning the funeral liturgy, serve during the funeral mass, plan luncheons for registered parishioners and serve the luncheon to all invited guests after funerals, and offer grief support groups. They have tender hearts and great big love.
Planning the funeral liturgy
From the very first phone call received reg arding funeral arrangements, specially trained bereavement ministers help provide peace of mind in assisting families to prepare a beautiful funeral Mass for their loved one. Rest assured, a Bereavement Minister will be there to guide you through the entire funeral liturgy planning process. Bereavement Ministers will also serve as altar servers during the liturgy.
Serving funeral luncheons
When families are planning the funeral liturgy of a registered St. Gabriel parishioner, the Bereavement Ministry also offers to host and serve a complimentary Funeral Luncheon in the Church Community Room at St. Gabriel. Bereavement volunteers cook and serve this luncheon to all invited guests following the funeral Mass as one more way we can minister to you during your time of need.
Grief support group
When the funeral has come and gone and the sometimes overwhelming weight of loss settles in, the Bereavement Grief Support Group is ready to ease the family through the grief process. This group of volunteers maintains contact with grieving families and invites them to activities throughout the year.
Their programs include: a six-week support group which will allow grieving persons the opportunity to learn more about the stages of grief and share thoughts and feelings in a supportive, small group setting – this series will culminate in a dinner event called Seeds of Hope;
Hope for the Holidays – a program designed to help people who have suffered a recent loss cope with the impending holidays successfully; and;
all grieving families are specially invited to attend the All Souls Day Mass to remember in a special way their loved one at this moving liturgy.
Become a Bereavement volunteer
Perhaps you have suffered a loss in the past and have received help and compassion from others. It is a special gift to have caring people around you in a time of need. If you have a gift for helping people through a difficult time, you may consider volunteering a few hours a month and become a bereavement minister.
We are currently seeking volunteers to help donate or serve dishes for funeral luncheons. To volunteer, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Allison Capella at the Parish Office.
Phyllis Shea, Bereavement Ministry Coordinator
St. Gabriel Parish Office - 440-352-8282