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Grief is defined as a loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. It is a natural response to a loss and every person grieves differently. While the most common grief is a loss of a loved one by death, a few other examples of loss that may cause grief are miscarriage, loss of a job, divorce or separation, loss of a pet, moving to a new place, a child leaving home, and more.
Below you will find resources for support through grief. Resources listed under "Community Based" are not affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette.
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Support Program for Adults
Program: Catholic Divorce Recovery Program
Contact Person: Office of Marriage & Family Life 337-261-5653 or www.diolaf.org/divorcerecovery
Description: 6-week divorce recovery program based on The Catholic's Divorce Survival Guide by Rose Sweet. This program is in several parishes throughout the Diocese. Visit our website to find locations.
Current Parishes with trained facilitator’s: Our Lady of Fatima- Lafayette; St. Pius X-Lafayette; St. Joseph –Rayne; St. Ann- Mamou; St. Peter- Morrow; St. Peter -Carencro
To have a trained facilitator in your church parish, please contact Kelley Chapman at 337-261-5653 or kchapman@diolaf.org.
Community Based Programs
Support Program for Adults
Program: Divorce Care
Contact Person: Lynley Jones (337) 456-6100 or lynleyjo@asbury-umc.org
Support Program for Adults and Children
Program: The Family Tree
Contact Person: acadianafamilytree.org
Description: Offers a variety of programs to parents and children. Different topics include: Divorce, counseling, family activities, etc. Please visit their programs schedule on their website for more information.
Program: Divorce Care for Kidz
Contact Person: Lynley Jones (337) 456-6100 or lynleyjo@asbury-umc.org
Description: program for children (ages 5–12) of families experiencing divorce and separation. DC4K is a hands-on interactive “kid friendly” support system that presents skills to assist children in maneuvering through the difficult places of divorce or separation. Meets at Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette. For more information, please contact Lynley Jones.
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United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Infertility Resources
www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/infertility#tab--articles
Red Bird Ministries - Breaux Bridge, La.Contact Person: Kelly Breaux 337.223.2019 Email: kelly@redbird.love
Description: 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. Click here for more info.
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Red Bird Ministries
Contact Person: Kelly Breaux 337.223.2019 Email: kelly@redbird.love
Description: 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. www.redbird.love/carried-with-loveCommunity Based Programs
Maddie’s Footprints
Contact: Maddie’s Footprints 337-534-4209
Description: to help families who have experienced miscarriages, stillbirths or the loss of an infant. Maddie’s Footprints offer families financial assistance for end-of-life expenses and/or medical expenses as well as directs them to information and/or counseling. For more information please visit their website; www.maddiesfootprints.org
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ABBEVILLE
St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville
Program: Grief Support
Contact Person: Sr. Carm 337-893-0244 or srcarmlatiolais@gmail.com
Meets first Wednesday of the month at 4:00pm
BROUSSARD
Sacred Heart Church in Broussard
Rosary group for the grieving: Thursday evenings 6pm
LAFAYETTE
St. Mary Church in Lafayette
Program: Grief Share DVD Series
Contact Person: JoAnn LeJune, 337-703-3041
Please call to RSVP
More information on Grief share can be found, http://www.griefshare.org/
Diocese of Lafayette
Program: “Come to the Well” grief support retreat.
Day of Hope for those suffering the loss of a loved one.
Held the first weekend in November
Contact Person: Office of Pro-Life Apostolate 337-261-5607.
Community Based Programs
The Center for Loss & Transition at the Hospice of Acadiana, INC
Program: Transitions Through Grief
Contact person: 337-232-1234, ext 3711
Description: This is a five-week workshop for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Those interested may attend all or one topic. Topics will include: emotions of grief, self-care, memories, finding support, creative coping and forgiveness. Pre-registration is required. Want to connect with Hospice of Acadiana? Follow them on Facebook through the Hospice of Acadiana page or the Center for Loss & Transitions Facebook page. You may also visit their website www.hospiceacadiana.com for updated events.
Program: Camp Brave Hearts for children
Contact person: 232-1234 ext. 3711
Description: Children have special needs following the death of a friend or family member. At our annual summer camp children ages 7 to 11 discover they are not alone in their grief. The camp is a safe, supportive place for them to share their stories, express their feelings and learn coping skills to deal with, and manage, their grief and loss.
Acadian Hospice and Palliative Care
Program: Grief Share Support Group
Contact Person: Ben Carter 337-500-1763
Description: Don’t try to go through the grieving process alone. Join us at our Grief Share grief recovery support group which welcomes all grieving adults with no charge. It’s a place where you’ll find caring people who understand the issues you face and informative videos applying biblical principles of healing. Grief Share will continue on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 12:00 pm to 1pm at The Healing House. All adults grieving the loss of a loved one are welcome.
Healing House
Program: The Healing House
Contact Person: Kim 337-234-0443
https://www.healing-house.org/
Description: Grief support for children and caregivers; They also offer a young adult support group (18-39 years old) that meets every other Tuesday at 6pm.
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Remembrance Mass
Program: Suicide Survivor Mass
Contact Person: Office of Marriage and Family Life at 337 261 5653
Description: In honor of the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, the Office of Marriage and Family Life offers an annual Mass to remember loved ones lost to suicide. Those attending are asked to register their loved ones name for the Mass as well as bring a framed picture to the Mass to place near the altar. For more information and to register the name of your loved one that died by suicide to be read during the Mass, please call the Office of Marriage and Family Life at 337-261-5653.
Community Based Programs
Adult Survivor Support Group
Program: Survivor of Suicide Support Group- The Family Tree
Contact Person: 337-981-2180
Description: Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month 6pm-7pm
The death of a loved one is never easy and grief is experienced differently for everyone. Jacob Crouch Suicide Prevention Services provides support groups that are especially tailored for survivors of suicide. This group meets in Lafayette provides a safe place for those who have lost a loved one to suicide to share their struggles, experiences, and pain as they struggle to regain hope and strength. The groups are open to all survivors of suicide over the age of 18. The groups meet on two evenings each month and are free. Please call our office at (337) 981-2180 for more information about the groups or to register.
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