GriefShare Program: A Christ-Centered Support Group

Thirteen sessions beginning September 17, 2024

To learn more or register, contact 708-223-4912 or [email protected]. If you would like to contact an Ascension parishioner involved in the GriefShare program, please email Rose Lubarski at [email protected].

What is this program?

GriefShare grief recovery is a Christ-centered support group where a caring group of people will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a loved one: a family member or friend. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help.

The focus of the program is to help you begin to gain closure in your loss. It’s sometimes hard to move on in life when you are still dealing with the grief and emptiness that happens after a loved one dies. You’ll learn how to go through a healthy season of grieving, then begin transitioning to a new emotional and spiritual wholeness.

GriefShare groups meet weekly for 13 sessions. These meetings are intended to help you face the challenges of bereavement and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:

GriefShare DVD videos. You’ll learn helpful, practical information that will help you recover from the pain of grief and loss. The GriefShare DVD videos feature top experts on grief recovery subjects and case studies of people just like you, who have been through the grief experience.

Small Group Discussion. You’ll have the chance to talk about your experiences. It can be very healing to tell others what you are going through. The support group sessions include a time to talk about what you’ve seen on the GriefShare videos and what is going on in your life. And while you have the opportunity to tell your story, there’s never pressure for you to do so if you don’t feel like it.

A Personal Workbook. You’ll have a workbook for personal study and to write down things you’ve learned. The workbook provides opportunity for further study about the grief process and personal reflection about your grief. The weekly journaling questions help you sort through your emotions. You can tear out and carry with you the perforated “Care Cards” for words of encouragement during the lowest points of your day.

Help and Encouragement after Death of a Spouse, Child, Family Member, or Friend.

St. Catherine – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish will continue sponsoring a GriefShare program, a special support group for people dealing with the loss of a family member or a dear friend. We invite you to consider joining us for the next 13-Session Program on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm beginning on September 17 through December 17, 2024, at McDonough Hall on the St. Giles Campus – 1101 Columbian Avenue, 2nd Floor in Oak Park, IL 60302.

GriefShare recovery is a Christ-centered support group where a caring group of people walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. It is designed for people grieving the death of a loved one, a family member or friend.

The program consists of 13 sessions and utilizes videos, group discussion, and a personal workbook. The focus is to assist you to begin to gain closure in your loss. Often it is hard to move on in life when dealing with the grief and emptiness that happens after a loved one dies. The program is designed to help you go through a healthy season of grieving, and then begin transitioning to a new emotional and spiritual wholeness.

If you have questions or would like more information about GriefShare, please contact Geri Tapling at 708-223-4912 or [email protected].