
The New Day Ministry
Small-group Grief Support: The New Day Ministry
The New Day Ministry is a faith-based, small-group support program facilitated by trained volunteers who accompany fellow parishioners on their journey from grief to healing. This ministry is novel in two ways:
- It represents the first diocesan-wide bereavement initiative in decades and is based on the collaboration of dedicated volunteers beyond parish boundaries.
- In addition to accompanying those in grief, we strive to create a ministry that provides an opportunity for spiritual growth for our volunteer ministers.
Program Specifics
This is a structured program, which includes prayer, scripture readings, journaling, and sharing responses to directed questions in a confidential setting. It is based on The New Day Journal, by Mauryeen O’Brien, O.P., and has been used by the Archdiocese of Hartford for over 25 years:
- Groups meet for 90 minutes over a nine-week period.
- Each group has two facilitators and up to eight participants.
Program Goals
Over the course of the 9 weeks, participants are guided to:
- Accept the reality of the loss
- Experience the pain of grief
- Adjust to life without the deceased
- Find a way to carry your deceased loved one in your heart as you embark on the rest of your journey through life
Advance registration is necessary.
Fall 2023 Programs
St. Mary’s, Bethel:
Wednesday afternoons 2:30 – 4:00 pm
October 18 – December 20th
(no session Nov. 22)
St. Thomas More, Darien:
Waitlist: Tuesday afternoons 2:30 – 4:00 pm
October 3 – November 28
St. Michael the Archangel, Greenwich:
Waitlist: Wednesday afternoons 4:00- 5:30 pm
September 27 – November 29
(No session Nov. 22)
Church of the Holy Spirit, Stamford:
Tuesday mornings 10:00 – 11:30 am
October 10 – December 5
Church of the Assumption, Westport:
Wednesday afternoons 2:00-3:30 pm
October 4-December 6
(No session Nov. 22)
St. Catherine of Siena & St. Agnes, Riverside:
Tuesday afternoons 4:00 – 5:30pm
October 10 – December 5
The Fairfield County Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Bridgeport underwrite all the costs associated with this ministry.
If you do not have internet access, please call Carolyn Killian at 203-404-0023.
Additional sessions will be announced as they are scheduled.
I’m Interested
Daily Healing Journey
A daily email offering reflections on loss, grief and memories to help you through your “Healing Journey”.
