Ministry of Consolation

The Ministry of Consolation invites all those who have lost loved ones to "Popcorn and a Movie Night" on Friday, January 20th beginning at 6:30. The event will be held in the Priest's conference room. Please RSVP to Fred Frank.

"IMMACULATE Heart of Mary we entrust to thee the souls of all the Faithful departed. May they be granted eternal rest and may perpetual light shine upon them."

The mission of the Ministry of Consolation is to walk with and support with loving care those who are grieving for lost loved ones.

The grief one experience’s over the loss of a loved one is of a personal nature where the heartache is unique to each individual. The days at the time of loss and shortly afterwards can be darken by the deep sense of lonely-ness. We in the Ministry of Consolation are committed to provide loving support particularly during this time with our efforts at the vigil, funeral mass, funeral luncheon as well as long after the loss.

As time passes, and with the healing love of Our Lord, light begins to enter the dark days and finally begins to lessen the hurt. The grieving, in order to continue the healing process, must move on and begin a new life. There is pain when grieving while others are celebrating. A lonely-ness when family and friends are out and one is alone. As a means to address this void and continue the healing, the Ministry of Consolation provides socials such as potluck dinners, movies, trips to theaters, excursions, etc. The socials provide a bridge to a new life where one can meet others and participate in social activities, entering a new life while honoring that of a lost love. 

Resources for Those Who Are Grieving

Listing/times of local bereavement support groups:
General Listing
Excela Grief Support Groups (also see Excela information below)

GriefShare Support Group
Beginning September 8, 2009
Tuesdays 7pm - 9 pm
Location:
Holiday Park United Methodist Church
81 Sandune Drive
Plum,Pa
724-327-6552
To Register:
Shirley Leslie 724-733-1042 or Jane Irwin 724-327-0093

General Groups (All ages and types of loss)
Third Thursday of each month, 7-9 p.m.
The Western Pennslyvania Hospital
Forbes Regional Campus
2570 Haymaker Rd, Monroeville

Young Widows and Widowers (up to age 50)
Second Thursday of each month, 7-9 p.m.
The Western Pennslyvania Hospital
Forbes Regional Campus
2570 Haymaker Rd, Monroeville

Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support
(Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood)
412-224-4700
www.goodgriefcenter.com

The Dwelling Place/Center for Health
(Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood)
412-441-5187
www.barbaracoyne.com

Adult Children Who Have Lost Parents
Third Wednesday of each month, 7-9 p.m.
Jewish Community Center
5738 Forbes Ave. Squirrel Hill

Forbes Hospice, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital
(Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood)
412-578-6795
www.forbeshospice.com

UPMC Heal-Healing Emotions After Loss
(Bellefield Towers, Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood)
412-246-6006

Middle Ager's (50's and 60's)
First Wednesday of each month, 7-9 p.m.
Sixth Presbyterian Church
Corner Forbes and Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill

Parents Who Have Lost Children (Children up to 21 years old)
First Tuesday of each month, 7-9 p.m.
The Childrens Institute
Shady Ave., Squirrel Hill

Support For Children Who Have Lost a Family Member
The Caring Place
A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families
1-888-224-HOPE (4673)
620 Stanwix Street, Pittsburgh

The Caring Place is dedicated to children and their families who have experienced the death of a family member. The services are free of charge to the families. The Caring Place is a safe place with safe people where children and families can know that they are not alone in their grief, share their feelings and experiences in an atmosphere of acceptance, see that what they are going through is normal, and know that hope and healing is possible.

Additional information and literature for the Caring Place is available through the Ministry of Consolation. Contact: Fred Frank.

Excela Health Home Care & Hospice
Excela runs Grief Support Groups at various locations in Westmoreland county throughout the year for those suffering loss. These occur in the form of a six-week series of informal meetings. Facilitated by a hospice professional, these sessions are intended to provide the opportunity for discussion of ones feelings and concerns, and to explore effective ways of working through grief. For more information to register, please contact our Call Center, toll free, at 1-877-771-1234.