The Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a parish-based ministry which aims to help the bereaved and grieving. The Catheral Bethany Group can be contacted at 085-2258827.
The name "Bethany" recalls the visit of Jesus to Martha and Mary on the death of their brother Lazarus.
Although grieving is a natural process which can be helped by the sympathy and understanding of friends, sometimes one may need suppport to work through it in a positive way. Friends don't always know how to help; they may be embarrassed by one's grief; they may even avoid meeting one in the mistaken belief tha a meeting may increase distress.
It is quite normal to feel anger, guilt, fear and depression as well as the awful pain of loss. These feelings need to be expressed rather than repressed, to be talkeed out, cried over and put into some sort of persepctive. It helps the healing process to talk with a trained listener and confront the very strong feelings associated with grief.
Prayer in time of bereavement
Lord, you are close to the broken-hearted.
Be with me now in my grief and loneliness.
Give me the courage to face my loss and not to grieve in silence.
Be with me as a struggle with many different and painful feelings.
Ease the hurt in my heart.
Encircle me in your love.
Help me to believe that one day I will no longer have this deep sorrrow.
May I find comfort in sharing my grief, with those who understand the strong bonds of love.Stay with me Lord, and support me.
Help me to know that your power is at work within me as I deal with my grief.Amen.
A prayer for our beloved deceased
I give back to you, O Lord,
who first gave them to me;
and as you did not lose them in the giving,
so I do not lose them in the return.And while you prepare a place for us,
as you have promised,
prepare me also for that happy place.Where you are,
I wish also to be,
with those I have lost in life.
Amen.