How can any of us reassemble our lives following the death of a loved one? Taking the first step is daunting for many, even paralyzing for some. Life can become a tug-of-war between wishing to honor and preserve the past and needing to transition to a different life without our loved one. For me, the journey began in the spring of 2015. Two weeks following the diagnosis of a terminal illness, my husband departed this world. The stunning reality of my situation left me reeling for months.

During those early months of my transition a friend informed me of the development of a new bereavement group at Sts. Peter and Paul called Seasons of Hope. The program consisted of 4 “seasons” (sets of meetings) with individual meetings spaced about 2 weeks apart. I actually thought I could volunteer to assist with the group, when my friend urged me to join the group as a participant and allow myself to receive the grace and benefits that participation can provide. I am forever grateful to my friend for seeing the need in me and steering me into joining the group as a participant. My participation in Seasons of Hope was nothing short of life-changing for me.

The program is based on the idea of providing scripture-based support for those transiting to a new reality following the death of a loved one. While it is not a counseling program per se, the facilitators focus on listening deeply to the anguished suffering of individuals learning to support themselves and one another as they adapt to their new realities. I benefitted greatly from being able to tell my story in a safe environment (Yes, we carefully guard everyone’s privacy.), as I heard the messages from scripture and helped in the support of other participants.

I remained in the program for 4 seasons (one year) at which time several of us “graduated” and decided to continue meeting on our own in our homes. Covid presented its challenges, and while we met for a while using ZOOM™, we are no longer meeting as a group. However, from that experience I have developed treasured friendship that will remain with me forever.

Several years later Deacon Joe Vertico and parish nurse, Paulette Shea, the program founders at Sts. Peter and Paul invited me to join the group as a co-facilitator. Their then current co-facilitator, Marie Gurnikand her husband, had decided to return to her home country, Ireland, and the program needed an additional set of hands. What a fortuitous little “God-wink” that became for me! After a brief period of consideration I gratefully acceptedand have since enjoyed the ongoing support and comradery of both the group leaders and participants.

Perhaps most enlightening and breath-taking for me, has been the opportunity to observe the faith development and faith-filled life practices of the members of the Season of Hope group. To a person, everyone realizes that “getting through” this life transition involves learning to trust n the goodness and mercy of our Savior. No matter how burningly angry, devastatingly sad, or paralyzingly numb we may feel, it is this trust that will carry us to the next chapter of our lives. And for me, being able to see that develop in myself and to observe it in others has brought me into a new realm of happiness and immeasurably closer to my faith.

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