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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

Select Session *

Name *

First

Last

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Phone *

Email *

I understand that New Day is a small group, bereavement support program where everyone participates.

I understand that one week builds on the next, and that attendance at all sessions is required.

I would like to meet with the program facilitator to discuss whether this is the right program for me at this time.

Daily Healing Journey

A daily email offering reflections on loss, grief and memories to help you through your “Healing Journey”.

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