Compassion Groups/Grief Ministry

Bereavement and Compassion Groups

Compassion Ministry for those who have lost a CHILD. If you are interested in an individual meeting, not a support group, within a safe and confidential environment to share feelings and heal from the loss of a child, the Catholic Renewal Center offers this opportunity. The meetings will take place at the Catholic Renewal Center at 6120 Pebble Hill Drive, Affton, MO 63123. This is facilitated by Rita Baughman, please contact her at [email protected] to set up an appointment.

Compassion Group for all those who have lost a SPOUSE. If you are interested in coming together to share and heal from the loss of a spouse, the Catholic Renewal Center is offering monthly meetings the first Tuesday of the month 7pm to 9pm OR the last Saturday of the month 9am to 11am. The meetings will take place at the Catholic Renewal Center at 6120 Pebble Hill Drive, Affton, MO 63123. This group is facilitated by Patty Kernell. Please register with Patty Kernell at [email protected].

Society of the Found Sheep

The ‘Society of the Found Sheep’ is a ministry being called to pray for those who are trying to find their way in this confused and dark culture, for all those who are struggling. We pray for those who stand against the Church and the truths of the Church. In charity and confidence, we pray for the conversion of hearts, minds and souls knowing how much God loves all of his children even those who are lost in the recesses of darkness. Prayer will accomplish great miracles in the hardest of hearts, and those hardened hearts, when softened, will create the biggest changes in the world. It all starts with a prayer.

St. Clement of Rome Parish (Des Peres)
Patty Fletcher, [email protected]
Meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm

Parents of Prodigals

The ‘Parents of Prodigals’ is a ministry similar to the Society of the Found Sheep but along with prayers for the sheep/prodigals, ministry is also given to those "parents" and others who suffer from grief, guilt or even anger per the loss of their loved one from the Church.

St. Bridget of Kildare Catholic Church, 111 W Union St., Pacific, MO 63069
Deacon Dr. Jim Bornholdt - [email protected]
Meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month at 6pm

Seasons of Hope Support

Seasons of Hope is a scriptural approach to grief. We are offering trainings for this program yearly. For more information, please contact Jane Guenther at 314.792.7734.

Annunciation (Webster Groves)
Mary Hittler, [email protected] 314.277.5116

We are offering Seasons of Hope on the first and third Tuesday of the month during the summer at Klocker House 43 Short Ave. Webster Groves, MO 63119 at 7 pm on Annunciation's property.

Incarnate Word (Chesterfield)
Our program, Seasons of Hope, is scheduled as follows:
2024 Fall Session: 7PM Tuesday evenings Sept 17th through Oct 22nd
Sessions will be held in the Incarnate Word School Teacher’s Lounge. The address is 13416 Olive Blvd Chesterfield MO 63017
There is no cost for participants in the program but donations are accepted. To learn more about the program and to register contact Deacon Ron Reuther at 636-675-1364 (phone or text) or email [email protected].

Our Lady of Lourdes (Washington)
Mary Catherine Williams, [email protected] 810.523.9878

St. Joseph (Cottleville)

We meet on Saturday mornings at 10 am in the Parish Center.
Kathy Merrell, [email protected] 636.441.0569

St. Charles Borromeo (St. Charles)
Marilyn Lucido, 636-946-2511 / Mary Kutchback 636-675-9227 [email protected] /
Steve Cave 314-575-0490

St. Justin Martyr (Sunset Hills)
Mary Wainscott, [email protected] 314.420.7475

St. Mary Magdalen (Brentwood)
Pat Burch, [email protected] 314.604.7848

St. Paul (St. Paul, MO)
Mary Hargadine, [email protected] 314.378.3217

Washington University (St. Louis, MO) - The meetings will be held in the Sunroom at the Catholic Student Center. To sign up or to get more information, contact Mary Pat Henehan, DMin. at [email protected].

Seasons of Hope offers people an opportunity to come together to share in God's love and to explore mourning through Scripture, prayer, reflection activities, and faith sharing.

If you know of other parishes offering grief support, please contact [email protected]. Please note that the following are a list of small groups. Many parishes also operate grief support phone trees, letter campaigns, and other services. Check with your parish to see if they offer such a program.

Other Group Offerings
Mary, Queen of Peace (Webster Groves)
676 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119
Third Monday of every month, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Contact Mary Ann Zimmerman (school nurse and pastoral associate) 314.961.2891 ext. 221

Queen of All Saints (Oakville)
Variety of ministries for widows and widowers of all ages
6603 Christopher Dr., St. Louis, MO 63129
Contact the parish office at 314.846.8207, or Darlene Florek at 314.293.3322 or [email protected] for help finding the group that is right for you!

Sacred Heart, Valley Park
Simple Steps Bereavement Group

Grief Share – From Mourning to Joy

Morning Sessions - call for dates
17 Ann Ave., Valley Park, MO 63088
Weekly Thursday morning session 10am-noon
Morning session contact Suzie Henke at 636.343.1131

Evening Year round Sessions 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays from 7-9pm

Evening session contact Ann Marie Schwein 314.630.7755 [email protected]

Sts. Joachim and Ann (St. Charles)

Wednesdays 7pm - call for dates

Church meeting room
4112 McClay Rd., St. Charles, MO 63304
Contact Jeanie Potts 636.939.3428 [email protected]

Resources

Ministries

Annie's Hope Bereavement Center provides comprehensive support services for children, teens, and their families who are grieving. Call 314.965.5015 or visit their website at www.annieshope.org.

Good Mourning Ministry is a resource to Catholic parishes and to those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Visit their website at www.goodmourningministry.net.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1.800.273.8255 or visit their website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Project Rachel & Project Joseph provide healing and hope to women and men wounded by abortion. Call 314.792.7565 or visit the website at www.archstl.org/respect-life-apostolate.

Augustine Institute CDs & MP3s

15 Things to Do in the Midst of Suffering (CD/MP3) - Jeff Cavins

Suffering is a mystery we all face at some time in our lives. Whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual, it will test our faith. Internationally known speaker Jeff Cavins shares personal insights he gained through his own physical pain. He shows us how we can join our sufferings with those of Jesus on the cross, bringing renewed meaning to the suffering we experience in our lives.

Making Sense Out of Suffering (CD/MP3) - Dr. Scott Hahn

We all experience suffering at some time in our lives. Our tribulations range from small disappointments to serious tragedies. Listen as scripture scholar and lay theologian, Dr. Scott Hahn, makes sense out of suffering by drawing from the wisdom and insight of God's Word. He helps us find the meaning of our suffering by showing us how to unite it to the suffering of Christ on the cross.

Love Hurts: The Truth Behind Redemptive Suffering (CD/MP3) - Matthew Leonard

In this presentation, Matthew Leonard focuses on the new idea of love proclaimed by Christ and how it gives meaning to human suffering, penance, and ultimately death.