On Saturday, July 26, the Ministry of Consolation of St. Charles Borromeo, Tunapuna, in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) Mental Health team, hosted a session at St Charles RC Parish Hall titled “Grieving the Loss of a Spouse.”
The gathering was a response to requests from persons who felt underserved in their grief journey. About 15 participants attended from 7 parishes, men and women, some with family members, seeking understanding and support. Facilitated by Ms Barbara Wafe and the Ministry of Consolation team, the session offered education on the stages of grief, coping strategies, and symptoms of complicated grief. There were small-group conversations, active listening exercises, and opportunities for creative expression. One poignant moment came as participants shared poems addressed to their deceased spouses, moments that brought both tears and laughter.
Powerful testimonies from Ministry members who have walked this road before provided both courage and comfort. Participants expressed that these stories of resilience and faith made them feel less alone and supported. One person shared, “My key takeaway was that everyone is dealing with something. People are broken…we need more and frequent workshops to assist them.”
Others highlighted the importance of trusting Jesus in the healing process, while some raised practical concerns such as how to update legal documents after a spouse’s passing, reminding us that grief impacts every aspect of life.
The session closed with a call to move from healing to mission, encouraging participants to support others in similar situations. Several voiced the need for quarterly workshops, more one-on-one sharing, and greater parish advertising so more widowed persons can benefit.
Grief, as one participant put it, “is not a destination, but a pause in life’s journey.” Through initiatives like this, the Church continues to offer hope and accompaniment to those navigating that pause.
For information on future sessions, contact the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission website: aflcrc.org; WhatsApp: 372-0478 or email familylife@catholictt.org.