Grief Ministry

“In the People of God, by the grace of his compassion granted in Jesus, many families prove by their deeds that death does not have the last word: this is a true act of faith. Every time a family in mourning – even terrible mourning – finds the strength to guard the faith and love that unite us to those we love, it has already prevented death from taking everything. The darkness of death should be confronted with a more intense work of love. ‘My God, lighten my darkness!’ is the invocation of evening prayer. …"

-Pope Francis, General Audience June 17, 2015

Part of our shared human experience is losing loved ones. Their passing, even in the most ideal and peaceful of circumstances, leaves a void and a pain to those who survive the deceased.  As Catholic Christians, we move through the stages of grief anchored in our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the example of eternal life that we are invited to share through our baptism.

The Grief Ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Marriage and Family Life connects individuals with Catholic bereavement and grief ministry communities, as well as provides the local Church with events and resources to assist those processing or struggling with the death of a loved one.


For more information, please contact:
Mrs. Jewell Bayhi
Coordinator of Grief Ministries
(504) 330-5974
[email protected]

Click the link to view more information about the event on this page.
Events at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center
Day of Prayer "Fighting the Waves of a Grieving Heart" | Wed. Sept. 14th
HALOS (Healing All Loss of Overdose or Suicide)
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) [For survivors of loved ones who died while serving in the military.)
Finding The Passion of Christ In Our Story Series | Oct. 6 - Dec. 15, 2022
Beginning Experience Weekend | Dec. 2 - 4, 2022
Children's Grief Ministry
Red Bird Ministries Events

All events listed below, unless noted otherwise, will be held at the
Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center
5500 St. Mary Street  Metairie, LA 70003
 

Day of Prayer
Wed. Sept. 14 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fighting the Waves of A Grieving Heart
For anyone suffering the pain of grief whether through divorce or death of a spouse, parent, friend or child.
$35.00 reg. fee includes light breakfast and lunch
Register at neworleansretreats.com or call 504-267-9604
Contact Jewell Bayhi 504-267-9604 or 504-330-5975

GRIEF SUPPORT MEETING

Monthly grief support meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month.
September Dates: 9/13 & 9/27 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Free and no registration necessary.
Contact Jewell Bayhi at 504-267-9604 or [email protected]

HALOS (Healing All Loss of Overdose or Suicide) is a ministry within the Archdiocese of New Orleans that supports people, parents in particular, struggling with the loss of a loved one due to a drug or alcohol overdose or suicide.

A HALOS group meets at the St. Benilde Parish Office, Metairie on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 7:00 - 8:00pm. 

Upcoming Meetings: September 13 & 27, October 11 & 25, November 8 & 22.

For more information on this ministry, please contact Val Hebert at 504-427-0327 or [email protected].

Thursday, Oct. 6th through Thursday, Dec. 15th
7:00 - 8:00 pm

St. Benilde School Library
1901 Division St, Metairie

This 10-week grief group study, offered by Red Bird Ministries, is for couples who have experienced the loss of a child (any age and any circumstance.)  

The next group is scheduled to begin Thursday, October 6 meeting weekly on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:00pm in the St. Benilde School Library, Metairie. 

There is no cost to attend and materials will be provided.
For more information, contact Val Hebert at 504-427-0327 or [email protected].

Listen. Accompany. Heal.
Peer grief resolution for separated, divorced and widowed persons.  
Don’t know where to turn? Struggling with grief or loss?
When distress, despair, anger or grief are trivialized, dismissed and remain unresolved, life may seem unfulfilled and aimless. The loss of self-esteem, together with feelings of sadness or bitterness, becomes a way of life. Well-meaning people advise, “Get over it,” but it is just not happening.
Sometimes the pain of the loss of a loved one, either by death, separation or divorce, cannot be overcome quickly or easily. It has become a habit to utter, “I am OK” when asked, but inside there is a heavy heart.
Healing can start with a Beginning Experience weekend at a retreat center. Through the Holy Spirit, a safe and sympathetic environment is created. Listening and understanding allows wonderful transformations throughout the weekend process. It is not a quick fix. Rather, the weekend renews hope that a new life can be found beyond the pain.

Friday, December 2 - Sunday, December 4, 2022

The Beginning Experience Weekend on December 2-4, 2022, is a wonderful healing opportunity for those suffering a loss of a spouse either through death or separation/divorce. The weekend will take place at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center in Metairie..

Those who have attended this weekend attest to the new hope they have received and the powerful safe and loving environment they found in the experience. Under the sponsorship of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Marriage and Family Life, this international program has helped thousands navigate the road through grief.

Call Melanie Trimarco at (630)589-2813 for more information or to register.

Grief is a normal reaction for children to the death of someone significant. When children experience the death of a person who has played a significant role in their life, it is normal for children to struggle, whether the relationship with that person was caring and loving, or contentious and difficult. The absence of a person takes time to fully accept and even then, children may continue to miss them in their own special way. In truth, children never "get over" a person's death, but they can learn to live with the reality.  Grieving children often feel alone and misunderstood.  Grieving children feel less alone when they are with other children who have experienced the death of a significant person and when they have loving, consistent adults in their lives. 

These statements are from the National Alliance for Children’s Grief of which Jewell Bayhi, our Coordinator of Grief Ministies, is a member. 

Children need as much from us in their Grief process or even more than adults do.

CHILDREN'S GRIEF MINISTRY EVENTS

More events are being planned for children and will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
 

Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic, pro-life/pro-family grief support ministry that focuses on bereaved families who have experienced child loss of any age and circumstance, including pregnancy loss through miscarriage and stillbirth, and after birth as an infant, child, adolescent, or adult. While we operate as Catholics our ministry serves anyone who has experienced the loss of a child.

Monthly Red Bird Ministry Meetings   Red Bird for Grieving Parents meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Our Lady of the Lake School Cafeteria (312 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, LA 70448)

Grieving Mother’s Retreat  September 16–18, 2022 |Lumen Christi Retreat Center  Houma, LA  Retreat reg. fee begins at $250.00  5 scholarships available.

Click here to register for this Retreat