The Emmaus Ministry

The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents

The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents is solely focused on the searing pain a parent feels at the loss of their child. Their world is horrifically changed forever regardless of the circumstances or the child’s age. Well-meaning relatives and friends don’t know what to say and parents suppress their emotions in an attempt to seem “normal” which compounds the feeling of being totally alone.

Unlike most recovery programs, the Emmaus Ministry believes there is no healing without God. Since its inception, this ministry has helped participants initiate, regain, and/or reinvigorate their relationship with God, and so begin their healing process. Just as Jesus comforted his grieving disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus comforts us and we comfort each other in this very special ministry. The programs are offered by Emmaus Parent Companions working together with Catholic Clergy, Deacons, Pastoral Associates, and Spiritual Directors.

Program Specifics

We offer two In-person Spiritual Retreat programs:

One-Day Retreat
This one-day retreat gives you the opportunity to concentrate on your individual spiritual journey and listen to the experiences of other grieving parents. You are invited to share as much or as little as you like. Many people participate by simply listening.

► Next One-day Retreat: Spring 2024

Weekend Spiritual Retreat
This weekend spiritual retreat enables you to escape everyday life to find comfort and seek spiritual healing with clergy and other parents on the same journey. Included are individual and group sessions, as well as liturgies and prayer services over the course of a weekend. Here too, you are invited to participate or listen.

The Fairfield County Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Bridgeport underwrite all the costs associated with this ministry.

For further information, please contact:
Bereavement Office
Fairfield County Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
203 742-1450 ext 5
bereavement@ctcemeteries.org