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The diocesan Ministry of Consolation team welcomed 18 new Bereavement Befrienders last Wednesday (27 May), at a special Commissioning Mass celebrated by Canon Kieron O’Brien at St Bernadette’s Church, Crawley. This year’s Ministry cohort brings the total number of trained volunteer befrienders to 148, ensuring that parish and deanery communities across the Diocese can access the pastoral support offered by the Ministry of Consolation team.

Bereavement affects people of all ages. The training programme, led by Kathy Quint, a BACP counsellor and Cruse National Trainer, and Deacon Simon South, the diocesan Marriage and Family Life Adviser, involves 28 hours of input over seven mornings, ensuring that members of the Ministry – established more than 17 years ago – are equipped to listen to and support adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one and help them navigate feelings of loneliness, anxiety, fear and uncertainty.

Reflecting on the scope and content of the course, Dcn Simon said:

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“Kathy has been our trainer from the beginning, which is such a blessing. Learning about the grieving journey gives befrienders a better understanding of what people might be going through. Course participants are able to use the information they receive during training to support the bereaved and accompany those who are seriously ill or have a terminal diagnosis. The shape of our Church communities is changing, with a growing culture of greater collaboration and outreach across the Diocese and pastoral support from our parishioners, our Ministry is a lovely example of this in action.”

“Kathy’s practical support and training is supplemented by me, as we guide the course attendees through the Church’s teaching on the emotive topics, the spiritual context of our Ministry, and bring the befrienders ways of maintaining their own personal wellbeing.”

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People can experience feelings of loneliness following the death of a loved one, as Ministry of Consolation befriender Andy McGregor, from St Michael’s, Ashtead, highlights:

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“There is a need to support those who are grieving so that they do not feel alone and can articulate their bereavement journey, even if this simply involves periods of silence.”

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Andy and his wife launched a café at St Michael’s to help combat isolation and create a welcoming space for members of the local community to gather:

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“[Our] Wednesday café has been running for about five years now,” he said, “and serves as a community hub, as well as a weekly parish event. St Michael’s also has a Life and Loss Café, established by my friend and fellow bereavement befriender, Jan Cassar, around six years ago."

“Both cafés provide a welcoming social setting for those who wish to attend and a haven for those who have lost a loved one. They bring people together to support one another and help them move forward in their lives without forgetting those they have lost.”

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Addressing new and existing members of the Ministry during last week’s Mass, Canon Kieron reflected on the teachings of the Church and the gift of healing:

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“Your work and ministry are about mission: God often speaks to people when they are most vulnerable. Bereavement and funerals and the relationships and circumstances that people encounter at these times can enrich and deepen their faith. We have the gift of a loving God to offer people – you bring them the gift of God’s Word, His care and His healing.”

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Many congratulations to our new Bereavement Befrienders: Melinda (Arundel Cathedral); Clothilde (Arundel Cathedral); Tricia (Bognor); David (Ashtead); Maria (West Grinstead); Virginia (Farnham); Esther (Woking); Paula (Englefield Green); Jess (Guildford); Catherine (St Mary's, Brighton); Nina (Ashtead); Margaret (Crowborough); Bill (Henfield); Mike (Frimley); Nicole (Woking); Anne-Marie (Haywards Heath); Sue (Tadworth); Sr Attracta (Brighton).

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You can find out more about the Ministry of Consolation on our website.