bereavement ministry
Join us for our GRIEF CARE support group meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Fr. Wuellner Room across from the Parish Kitchen.
Grief Care Mission
What is grief? Grief is not an illness or a disease. It is a normal reaction to the death of someone you love. You grieve deeply because you love deeply. Grief is the process by which healing takes place but it can be hard work! Our Catholic faith can be a tremendous source of strength in helping us through this difficult journey.
The mission of the Bereavement Ministry of Blessed Sacrament Church is to assist in the healing process by providing support for any individual who has experienced the death of a loved one. This outreach is facilitated by trained ministers who offer a compassionate, consoling and encouraging presence thereby manifesting Christ’s mercy, hope and love during periods of pain and sorrow.
If you are grieving, or know of someone else who could use the prayers and support of our faith community during this difficult time, please contact Rick Zath (309-266-9721, ext. 4/email rzath@bscmorton.org) to discuss our various avenues of assistance.
Individual Grief Consolation
As companions on the journey, specially trained bereavement ministers offer support by making phone calls and home visits, sending letters and cards, providing personal resource material, and connecting grieving families with public health resources in the local community.
Grief Care
This support group meets on the third Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:00 PM. The sessions are open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one regardless of where they are on their grief journey or whether or not they have attended in the past. Group participants support each other by sharing their unique experiences and by offering wisdom, reassurance, and consolation. The environment creates a warm and hospitable space where the opportunity for healing is cultivated.
Memorial Mass
On November 2 - All Souls Day - the Bereavement Ministry and Knights of Columbus host a Memorial Mass to commemorate and honor those who have died. Anyone is welcome to submit the name of their loved one and they will be remembered in a special way during the Mass. Following the Mass, a dinner is held at the Knights of Columbus Hall for anyone who wishes to attend.
Grief Care News
Grief resource information and event notifications are sent out periodically via the Grief Care email distribution list. If you are unable to attend the meetings but would like to add your name to the distribution list to receive Grief Care news, please contact Rick Zath.
Bereavement Team
Fr. Adam Cesarek
Chris Teuerle
Judi Yocum
Rick Zath
Contact
For more information about the Bereavement Ministry, contact Rick Zath at 309-266-9721, ext. 4, or email rzath@bscmorton.org.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.”
In Memoriam
Louis K. Hofer - September 23, 2024
Jerome “Joe” Hranka ~ August 11, 2024
Steve Bottorff ~ August 8, 2024
Eleanor O’Shea - August 6, 2024
Dolores “Mick” Behnke ~ July 30, 2024
Marilyn Thaller ~ July 26, 2024
Joan Newkirk ~ July 2, 2024
Terry Metzger ~ July 2, 2024
Patricia Dennison ~ June 27, 2024
Sally Baldovin ~ June 26, 2024
Jeanne Parziale ~ June 12, 2024
Kristin Koch ~ May 25, 2024
Russell Lux, Jr ~ May 5, 2024
Miriam Welch ~ April 23, 2024
Rosalie Lux ~ March 26, 2024
Joshua Yocum ~ February 17, 2024
Judith Newby ~ January 24, 2024
Joseph Zuke ~ January 20, 2024
Kathleen Anderson ~ January 18, 2024
Daniel St. Aubin ~ January 5, 2024
Richard Shute ~ January 1, 2024
Eleanor “Ellie” Maroon ~ December 26, 2023
Lowell Schroeder ~ December 20, 2023
Jack Gilligan ~ December 15, 2023
Mary Alice Krumholz ~ December 9, 2023
Paul Grethey ~ November 9, 2023
Margene Reif ~ October 31, 2023
Gloria Andrews ~ October 31, 2023
Frank Huber ~ October 25, 2023
Patricia Gheraldini ~ October 21, 2023