Bereavement
Catholic Charities' Bereavement Ministry
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is something most people encounter during their lifetime. Sometimes the grief that follows this loss can be heavy and burdensome. Catholic Charities' Bereavement Ministry exists so that no one need grieve alone.
Our Bereavement Ministry has many facets which include:
- helping parishes and church or community groups establish outreach bereavement programs.
- providing on-going training and networking opportunities for bereavement volunteers.
- offering bereavement counseling for individuals, families, and couples at convenient locations throughout Allegheny, Beaver, Butler , Greene, Lawrence, and Washington counties.
- collaborating with the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Catholic Cemeteries Association on The Emmaus Journey: A Healing Response to Grief and Loss. This collaboration combines outreach, counseling, and worship to help heal the pain of grief.
As an extension of our Bereavement Ministry, Catholic Charities' therapists lead Rachel's Vineyard, a support group designed to help women who have had abortions work through their grief and accept God's forgiveness.
Leading Catholic Charities' Bereavement Ministry is Sister Marlene Luffy , CDP, M.Ed., immediate past president of the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved. Sister Marlene co-authored Ministry of Consolation, the first comprehensive manual ever written to educate trainers in the art of training others to develop a bereavement ministry in their parish.
For more information about any of these services, call Catholic Charities at 412.456.6923.