• The Lord is near to the broken hearted AND SAVES THOSE CRUSHED 
  IN SPIRIT     Psalm 34:18
   

  Some life experiences deal us such crushing blows that we wonder if we can ever survive them. In such times we need our faith in God and the support of others.

   

  We naturally associate grieving with the death of a loved one, a spouse, a parent, a child or a close friend. But we grieve also over personal losses and changes in life:

   

       *  Retirement and advanced age

       *  Serious & chronic illness

       *  Divorce or separation

       *  “Empty-nest”

   

  We even grieve the death of a much-loved pet. We can also pre-grieve over chronically ill or aged parents and family members … over future losses.

   

  Grief is a natural process. With each critical loss in our lives we go through sorrow and anger, depression and denial, loneliness, confusion and even guilt. Grieving is a process, unique to each one of us. We each grieve in our own way and in our own time. Grieving takes time; it cannot be rushed.

  
  Grief Support/Grief Ministry is a way of coming to terms with all the jumbled emotions and hurts that fall under the title of “grief.”

   

  Grief Support/Grief Ministry is a time and place to be supported, to vent emotions, to share, to talk and to listen.

   

  Grief Support/Grief Ministry is about people journeying together, sharing experiences, bearing one another’s pain.

   

  Grief Support/Grief Ministry is about growing toward a time that the pain is replaced with more positive feelings; about coming to terms with change; about resolving conflict and controlling depression and anger; about acceptance.
  
  

                              God’s Promise

   

                                           God has not promised

                                                     Skies always blue,

                                                     Flower-strewn pathways

                                                     All our lives through;

   

                                           God has not promised

                                                     Sun without rain,

                                                     Joy without sorrow,

                                                     Peace without pain.

   

                                           But God has promised

                                                     Strength for the day,

                                                     Rest for the labor,

                                                     Light for the way,

                                                     Grace for the trials,

                                                     Help from above,

                                                     Unfailing sympathy,

                                                     Undying love.

  
  
  Barbara Powell
  Coordinator, Grief Ministry
  Divine Mercy of Our Lord Parish