The New Day Grief support program is structured to include 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.,. The New Day Program has been used by the Archdiocese of Hartford for over 25 years.
Groups meet for 90 minutes over nine weeks.
Each group has two facilitators and up to eight participants.
The Fairfield County Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Bridgeport underwrite all the costs associated with this ministry.
To learn more or to relay your interest in our program, please visit our New Day Ministry page.
Testimonials for Our New Day Grief Program
“I wish I had the words to accurately describe how meaningful it has been for me to be part of a “New Day” support group. I personally experienced a journey of love and support centered in faith. The most beautiful part of this experience was watching a room of “strangers” evolve into a “family” in only nine short weeks. New Day has been a tremendous blessing to me personally and a true comfort and haven to me. I am so grateful to have been a part of my group.”
“When my husband died suddenly 20 years ago, I was adrift in a painful fog with no sense of a way out. Family and friends wanted to help, but they couldn’t negotiate this new territory for me. New Day was a God send. Through caring facilitators, courageous participants, and the grace of God, I was able to develop strategies to help me find my way through my grief to solid ground. The process wasn’t easy or quick, but it felt so good to have a path, and to be able to exert even a small measure of control. And in subsequent losses, those strategies have sustained me over and over again with hope and help. “
“I just want to let people know that support is out there and it’s ok to open your heart and let people in because you can trust and have faith in this wonderful group “NEW DAY”
“The New Day Journal Workshop was a commitment I chose to help heal the loss of the most important people in my life. The grief that I feel at times has been overwhelming and I realized that I needed tools and techniques. I also needed to be around people who understood the grief process. By sharing my story, and listening to others tell their stories, I found a certain solace that helped me on my grief journey. The New Day Journal provides an opportunity for knowledge, sharing, and journal writing. The group is small (6-8 participants) and the facilitator provided a safe empathetic space to explore my grief. I highly recommend this course. It helped me in immeasurable ways.”
“My experience as a participant in New Day was emotionally surprising and freeing. I was “surprised” by the emotions brought on from what I thought were long-forgotten memories, but, in fact, were memories that had somehow retreated into my subconscious. The “freeing” aspect came via mutual support from the group. Not only were they always willing to listen to me, but they also offered me words of encouragement and shared similar experiences that reinforced I was not alone in my grief journey. To sit “unjudged” amidst your peers after recounting emotional episodes from your personal life can be “freeing.”
“Unlike most people who participate in the New Day Program, I had not lost a family member. My dearest friend of over 25 years died suddenly and because of the Covid pandemic and the fact that she lived 1200 miles away, I had not seen her in 3 years. She was the sister I never had, my confidant, my moral compass, and perhaps the funniest person I have ever known.”
“I had a wonderfully professional Facilitator and Co-facilitator, as well as a supportive and empathetic group who listened, asked questions, and offered suggestions to help me process my loss. I especially appreciated the confidentiality of the sessions so that each of us could speak honestly and openly.”
2024 Spring Program Schedule
St. Catherine of Siena & St. Agnes, Riverside Limited Availability
Date: March 5 – April 30
Time: Tuesday 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Assumption, Westport
Date: March 6 – May 1
Time: Wednesday 2:00 – 3:30 pm
St. Peter’s, Bridgeport
Date: March 6 – May 1
Time: Wednesday 7:00 – 8:30 pm
St. Michael the Archangel, Greenwich
Date: April 3 – May 29
Time: Wednesday 1:00 – 2:30 pm
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Brookfield Limited Availability
Date: April 11 – June 6
Time: Thursday 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Holy Spirit, Stamford
Date: April 16 to June 11
Time: Tuesday 10:00 – 11:30 am
St. Thomas More, Darien
Date: May 7 – July 9
Time: Tuesday 2:30 – 4:00 pm