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 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

Fall 2024 New Day Program

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Brookfield
Date: September 12 – November 7
Time: Thursday afternoons 2:00 – 3:30 pm

St. Michael the Archangel, Greenwich
Date: September 16 – November 25
No sessions: October 14 & November 11
Time: Monday evenings 6:30 – 8:00 pm

St. Leo, Stamford
Date: October 1 – November 26
Time: Tuesday mornings 10:00 – 11:30 am

Church of the Assumption, Westport
Date: October 2 – December 4
No session:  November 27
Time: Wednesday afternoons 2:00 – 3:30 pm

St. Peter’s Church (in Spanish), Bridgeport
Limited Space Available
Date: October 2 – December 4
No session:  November 27
Time: Wednesday evenings 7:00 – 8:30 pm

St. Catherine of Siena & St. Agnes, Riverside
Limited Space Available
Date: October 2 – December 4
Time: Wednesday mornings 10:00 – 11:30 am

St. Thomas More, Darien
Date: October 9 – December 18
No session: November 27 and December 4
Time: Wednesday evenings 6:30 – 8:00 pm

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.

Program Inquiry Form

Select Session ** Select SessionSt. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Brookfield: Thursday afternoonsSt. Michael the Archangel, Greenwich: Monday eveningsSt. Leo, Stamford: Tuesday morningsChurch of the Assumption, Westport: Wednesday afternoonsSt. Peter’s Church (in Spanish), Bridgeport: Wednesday eveningsSt. Catherine of Siena & St. Agnes, Riverside: Wednesday morningsSt. Thomas More, Darien: Wednesday evenings

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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.

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