The Bereavement Group was an initiative of Helen Konynenburg and has been in existence since 1995. When Marea Richardson took over as co-ordinator the name was changed to the Grief and Loss Support Ministry to acknowledge the many life experiences which lead to grief and loss - separation and divorce for example.
The main objective of the ministry is to provide support for those in the parish who are experiencing grief and loss. This can be done by home visitation, information and referral to support agencies and resources. In the case of bereavement we send a letter to the bereaved in the months following the death and another around the time of the first anniversary. We would send about 40 of each per year.
Every year we have a special Mass leading up to Christmas. It is a Mass of Remembrance for the recently bereaved. We send a letter of invitation to those parishioners who have experienced the death of a loved one in the last 12 months to attend the Mass where we offer our support.