Grief Outreach

“Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4).

 The Gospel calls us to offer compassion to the grieving, and the OLV community has several ways to offer support:

  • Funeral Planning---Whenever a death occurs in the parish, our priests, Judy Harder and Theresa Thienpont will assist families in planning for the visitation, wake service, funeral Mass, and burial.
  • Bereavement Meal---If a family would like to utilize parish facilities to share a meal after a funeral at OLV, a bereavement committee of volunteers will assist the family with setting up and serving the meal.
  • Bulletin Sympathy Note---Any parishioner who experiences the death of a close family member is invited to contact the church office, who will write a note of sympathy in the weekly bulletin and offer bereavement resources to the family.

 The Psalmist tells us “God is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:19). When tragedy and loss touch our lives, God draws near to us in the love of those around us.