Grief Ministry

Contacts:

Kathy Hammerly

Phone: 641-792-2050 Ext. #222

E-mail: stewardship@iowatelecom.net

Grief and Bereavement

In times of death and life adjustment to loss, our parish goal is to make sure that every parish family member receives as much love, comfort and assistance as we can provide. So, Sacred Heart parish has many wonderful resources to offer both adults and children who have suffered the loss of a loved one.

Our parish priest, staff, and fellow parishioners who know the pain of grief are here to help. In addition, Sacred Heart also works closely with many excellent community resources through our Parish Health Ministry. These non-profit professional resources provide our parish family with comprehensive choices of bereavement groups and grief services for both adults and children. When desired, our parish will personally introduce parish family members to these helpful services.

Call the Parish Office anytime you know of parish family members who have lost someone they love. Our parish wants to be there.

Wake Services & Funeral Dinners

When a loved one dies, members of Sacred Heart Catholic Community offer support in many ways, such as the refreshments after the Evening Prayer Service and the funeral dinner. After the Evening Prayer Service, family and friends are invited to come to McCann Center for cookies, punch, coffee or tea. It gives the family a special time to visit with friends in a loving atmosphere.

Once the funeral service is finished, family and friends are invited to return to McCann Center for a dinner. You may choose to participate in this ministry in several ways such as phone calling for desserts and salads, grocery shopping, preparation of food the day of the service, table setting, serving and of course, clean up. Family donations will be accepted to pay for the food purchased.

Seasons of Hope is a Support Group For the Bereaved

Held at Sacred Heart Church.

The program is presented in weekly one and a half hour sessions for six weeks for each of the four seasons of support. Seasons of Hope is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. The first Seasons of Hope sessions were started in January of 2009, facilitated by Deacon Dan Goetz and Kathy Hammerly. Sessions are now scheduled on days and times to fit the group and facilitators and are held at least annually. Please contact Kathy Hammerly at Sacred Heart Church -792-2050 to register for the next session, or for any questions.

Below is a copy of a letter from one of the participants back in 2009:

Dear Friends,

Last October I held my sisters hand as she left this earth and went to her eternal reward. I was relieved her suffering was over. But then came the pain and grief and loneliness. I no longer had my best friend to share my days with. Getting up every morning became difficult since I always called her at 7:30 AM and we would talk for a few minutes or an hour. In December I received a call inviting me to the 1st session of Seasons of Hope. This group has dried my tears, shared my grief and helped me smile at my good memories. Some of us have experienced recent loss while others share loss of loved ones years ago.

If you are grieving a loss of a loved one, come and be with others. Seasons of Hope sessions are scheduled each year. We have a study guide that Deacon Dan and Kathy Hammerly use to lead us. After our session everyone is invited to share refreshments.

Sincerely,

Dorothy Bennett

All Saints and All Souls Day Prayer Service

On November 1st and 2nd we celebrate “All Saints Day” and “All Souls Day” in the Catholic Church. This is a time to remember the Saints in heaven and pray for those people who have died.

We remember all parishioners who have died in the past year during our All Souls Day prayer service. We prepare a special candle for each family to place in the sanctuary in memory of the loved one who has died. Immediately following evening prayer, all the families involved are invited to stay for a chili supper. The evening is hosted by the members of the Grief Ministry team.