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Best Wishes to Polly Horky
After almost 19 years with the Office of Adult and Family Ministry, Polly Horky, associate director for Bereavement Ministry, has decided to retire. Polly has been instrumental in the success of two bereavement programs offered through the Adult and Family Ministry Office: “Let’s Live Again: A Healing Weekend for Widowed Men Women” and “A Day of Healing for All Who Mourn the Death of a Child.” Polly has also worked diligently at creating and updating resources for parishes to use in their bereavement ministry programs. Polly will be missed, and we wish her the very best in her retirement. Questions regarding bereavement ministry can be directed to Randy Nohl, director of Adult and Family Ministry, at nohlr@archmil.org, 414-769-3440 or 800-769-9373, ext. 440 (in the archdiocese).
Collaborative Bereavement Ministry
An excellent example of collaborative parish ministry was demonstrated recently at a bereavement ministry program hosted at St. Gregory the Great Parish, Milwaukee. Representatives from St. Gregory Parish; St. Rita Parish, West Allis; St. Alphonsus, Greendale; Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milwaukee; and Blessed Sacrament Parish, Milwaukee, shared bereavement ministry resources they have found beneficial.
The meeting began with introductions and a reflection, followed by a round table discussion. The discussion focused on what each parish provides for funerals and their follow-up support for the bereaved. The information reported was inspiring! The meeting concluded with preliminary planning for two collaborative events: an evening of reflection for the bereaved and enrichment opportunities for bereavement ministers.
Bonnie Pendzick, Coordinator of Bereavement Ministry at St. Gregory’s, has provided a detailed report of the meeting. Any parish leader interested in receiving a copy of the report is encouraged to contact Barb Krieser in the Office of Adult & Family Ministry at krieserb@archmil.org, 414-769-3444 or 800-769-9373, ext. 444 (within the archdiocese).
Website for Families
The Wisconsin Diocesan Family Life Ministers have established a website that contains materials that may be printed and given to families in your parish or school. The website, http://www.familyandchurch.org/, contains activities for families, family prayers, quotes for the bulletin and parish newsletter, a topic of the month, resources and products. This website will be updated on a monthly basis. The hope is that parishes and schools will choose materials beneficial for families with whom they work or notify families of the website for their own personal use.
Married Couples Needed to Help with Engaged Programs
The Office of Adult and Family Ministry is committed to preparing engaged couples for marriage. As with all sacraments, adequate preparation is essential if the sacrament is to have its full meaning. Engaged couples attend a day or weekend retreat as part of the preparation process. Married couples who are willing to share their time, experience and stories with engaged couples are needed. Couples who make these presentations benefit by taking time to explore their own relationship and by attending enrichment programs offered to couples in this ministry. If you are interested in this ministry or would like further details, contact Marie Grevsmuehl, the Associate director for Engaged and Marriage Ministry at grevsmuehlm@archmil.org, 414-769-3441 or 800-769-9373, ext. 441.
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