OUTREACH PARISH MINISTRIES

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY

The Bereavement Ministry prays with and for members of our St. Bernard family grieving the loss of a loved one.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

MISSION STATEMENT

Following a loss, the St. Bernard Bereavement Ministry seeks to bring a caring presence and living reminder of God’s love while guiding families through the process of conducting funeral and memorial services to honor their loved one.

VISION

To provide spiritual support, prayer, guidance and resources to our St. Bernard family members grieving the loss of a loved one. In our faith community, no one should grieve alone.

TIME & TALENT

This ministry is open to compassionate men and women who understand: it’s not what you say, but how you listen; it’s not having answers, but having faith; it’s not avoiding pain, but holding onto each other—and to God.

PRAYER & WORSHIP

Losing a family member can be one of the most difficult and painful experiences a person will go through. The St. Bernard Bereavement Ministry strives to live in the image of Jesus Christ who wept with those who mourned. We believe that in our faith community, no one should grieve alone.

To that end we pray for and with each family that loses a loved one. By performing various tasks vital to helping bereaved families deal with loss as they pass through the stages of grief, we attempt to bring comfort and consolation to the bereaved.

VISITORS TO THE HOMEBOUND

Parish volunteers are trained and vetted to visit with, pray with and bring communion to those among us who are unable to come to Mass due to old age or chronic illness.  Ministers to the homebound have the gift of being a good listener, consoler and the ability to be present to those who are often overlooked and marginalized in our society.