Even though effective vaccinations have provided some relief from COVID-19 this year, the approaching holidays can be very difficult, especially if you have lost loved ones because of the pandemic. Our culture celebrates while you have a heavy heart and the tiniest thing can trigger a wave of sadness.
For help in coping with such emotional turmoil, join the free virtual program, “Handling Grief During the 2021 Holidays,” from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9. The program is being presented by the behavioral health ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville.
The program will be presented by Paula Kosin, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and facilitator of the grief support group at St. Thomas. Kosin will discuss challenges the upcoming holidays can pose and identify strategies to help experience the season with some quiet joy, including ways to honor deceased loved ones and experience the healing presence of Jesus.
Registration to join this support group is required, and participants will be free to share to the extent with which they are comfortable or not at all. Participants also must have an email address; Wi-Fi, a personal computer, tablet or smartphone; and be familiar with the basics of joining a Zoom meeting.
To register for “Handling Grief During the 2021 Holidays” or for more information, contact Susan Kearney, coordinator of St. Thomas’ behavioral health ministry, at sdkearney@comcast.net or 630 355-8980, x108 by Thursday, Nov. 4. Participants’ email addresses will be confirmed and information about joining the Zoom meeting will be provided Monday, Nov. 8, the day before the program.
The behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and to minister to the emotionally/mentally ill and their family and friends with confidentiality and respect through advocacy, prayer, education and support. Requests for help with a need or for more information about the behavioral health ministry also may be directed to Kearney at (630) 355-8980, ext. 108.
St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God’s unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,400 households of more than 10,750 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, please call (630) 355-8980.
