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Family
Life Ministries
Family Ministries
Bereavement Ministry
The death
of a loved one is unlike any other loss. Whether or not the death was
sudden and tragic, or one with warning and preparation, the reality of
death leaves most of us in a state of shock, confusion and sadness. Grieving
people need time and space to honor their grief.
There will be an eight week series dealing with grief that starts April
17th. The series runs through June 5th, and meetings will be on Thursday
evenings at 7:30 pm at St. Elizabeth Seton. Pre-registration is required
and space is limited. All are welcome regardless of religious affiliation.
Contact: Joan Bell, 828-6864
The
CCOP
Bereavement
Ministry
received national attention recently when Beverly McManus and Fr. Padraig
Greene were featured on the Voice of America's Health and Wellness program.
"Healing and the Grieving Heart", which is hosted by Drs. Gloria
and Heidi Horsley, focused the March 27th program on "Too Young to
be a Widow." At age 43, when her husband, Steve died of esophageal
cancer, Beverly McManus wondered, "What next?"
Click
Here: Listen to the broadcast from Voice of America.
With their two daughters to get through college and a demanding career,
she had to discover how to go on living without her husband and best friend.
She found great support and help from Fr. Padraig Greene of the Catholic
Community of Pleasanton,
long an advocate of self-help, faith based bereavement groups.
Ms. McManus spoke of the stress of becoming a single parent while grieving
for her husband. All the responsibilty was suddenly on her shoulders.
It was not a place she chose to be. Feeling overwhelmed and alone, she
saw an ad in the newspaper about the Grief Workshop. She called and found
the workshop was filled but begged to get in.
The workshop enabled Beverly to work through her grief and pain.
As a result of the aid given her; she has since joined in to minister
to others who have lost loved ones.
Fr. Greene stressed that grieving people need a safe, caring environment
where they feel comfortable; where they aren't judged, and learn that
their feelings of grief are normal. The Church is not just for religion;
but is here to nurture and assist
those who are hurting. The support group helps to get people out of isolation
and allows them to grieve at their own pace.
Bereavement
Reception Ministry
A ministry
of parishioners who assist bereaved families with setting up receptions
following funerals at the parish.
Contact the Rectory, 846-4489
Breast
Cancer - Prayer & Support Group
Have you
been diagnosed with or are you a survivor of Breast Cancer?
Our prayer group meets at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge
Drive, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Meetings will be at 7:00
PM in Room B. You do not have to go through this alone.
For more information, call Helen Wirtenson at (925) 462-3798 or Mary Merucci
at (925) 846-8436. All are welcome.
Contact: Mary Merucci, 846-8436 or Helen Wirtenson, 462-3798
Divorced/Separated
Ministry
There is life after divorce...
Are you feeling the pain and hurt of the loss of your marriage? Divorce/separation
is a shattering experience, requiring a restructuring of hopes, dreams
and lives. Our community is here to walk with you. If you do not transform
your pain, you will transmit it.
Our Spring 10 week Workshop begins on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 and meets
every Wednesday (except 5/21) until June 11. Meeting are from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at St. Elizabeth Seton.
To receive the most benefit from the program, you must make a commitment to attend
each session.
See Divorced/Separated
Healing Workshop for more information.
In addition to the workshops, a support group meets twice a month between
workshops.
Contact: Lisa Fairchild (925) 600-1765 or (925) 963-7211 or
email: lisafairchild@sbcglobal.net
Marriage
Care Ministry
We help you
care for your marriage relationship! The group plans evenings of enrichment
and one-day retreats for married couples and also sponsors the Valentine’s
dance in the spring.
Contact: Fr. Jim Sullivan, 846-4478
Ministry
to Engaged Couples
Marriage
preparation sessions begin each month for couples who wish to marry in
the parish. It is recommended that couples complete this program at least
six months before their wedding. Full details are available from the priest
or deacon preparing the couple for marriage.
Contact: Fr. Padraig Greene , 925-474-2761,
or e-mail pgreene@catholicsofpleasanton.org
Ministry
of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)
This is
an opportunity to meet and journey with other women in a eight-week experience
of peer ministry, self-discovery, mutual support and prayer.
Workshop
sessions held in the fall and in the spring.
Contact: St. Elizabeth Seton office, 484-5020.
Parents of Gay and Lesbian Children
Meet for
mutual support on a monthly basis with other parents in our community
who have a son or daughter who is gay or lesbian.
Contact:
St. Elizabeth Seton office, 484-5020
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