Welcome to Saint Anne Parish, Ruskin, Florida

Saint Anne Church GriefShare

Next Series to begin September 4, 2008

A new weekly series of the Christian-based bereavement program called GriefShare begins at St. Anne Catholic Church in Ruskin on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. It is a professionally produced program lasting about 13 weeks. At each session we will view a video featuring personal stories of people like you who are grieving the death of a loved one. After the video we will discuss what was viewed and what is going on in group members’ lives. One need not be Catholic to attend. To register, please call the parish office at 813-645-1714.

   Your Journey From Mourning To Joy

A GriefShare Support Group is an ongoing series of weekly meetings consisting of viewing a DVD, discussing its contents, and sharing current situations. Each participant has their own workbook that has daily readings, questions and answers to reflect on, as well as Bible verses for study and meditation.

Anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one, such as a spouse, parent, child, brother/sister, etc is welcome to attend. No matter what the circumstances, grief recovery is a painful process. GriefShare is all about helping you to heal from the hurt and to recover joy in living. GriefShare meetings are a safe place where confidentially is honored, and it is perfectly OK to cry, and to cry a lot if needed.

If there is someone you know who needs to come to these sessions, please mention this series to them and offer to come with them. It is difficult to come the first time, so if you come with someone else who is grieving, it is a little easier.

Please call the Parish Office at (813) 645-1714 to register, for further information and so that adequate preparation can be made.

You may also visit http://www.griefshare.org/about/ for more information.

What is grief?

Grief can affect you in two ways — emotionally and physically.

Emotional

Many different feelings can be experienced in grief, including:

  • Sorrow And Sadness
  • Depression And Crying
  • Anger And Frustration
  • Guilt And Regret
  • Helplessness And Fear

    Physical

    Grief Can Also Give Rise To Physical Symptoms, Like:

  • Exhaustion And Restlessness
  • Tension
  • Insomnia
  • Loss Of Appetite
  • Loss Of Weight

    A Natural Process

    Grieving is a natural process, usually painful and of uncertain duration. Grieving is not an illness, but unless we allow ourselves to follow its course, it may bring risks to physical and mental health and possibly impair personal relationships. There are no fixed time limits for grieving; it is an individual process for example; the nature of the death, the circumstances of the bereaved person and their relationship with the person who has died.

    The death of a loved one is one of the severest forms of stress. Coping with bereavement can be extremely difficult as intense and painful feelings are aroused. It can be a very isolating experience. Often friends and relatives find it difficult to support those who are bereaved and sometimes there is no one available to us.