Pastoral Care Ministries
NEW DAY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
A JOURNEY FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
A Bereavement Support Group is being formed at St Peter Claver Parish for the fall of 2025 beginning on Wednesday, September 17th.
The Parish of St Thomas & St Timothy, and St Peter Claver are working collaboratively to provide Bereavement Support for anyone in the West Hartford area.
Grief is the process by which we adapt to any significant loss in our lives, and it requires honest work to make the journey to a new and hope filled day. We offer an in-person bereavement support group utilizing the New Day Journal: A journey from grief to healing, developed by Sr. Mauryeen O’Brien, OP.
The group facilitators are not licensed grief counselors and cannot offer counselling services. They have received training. They accompany participants on their grief journey and will offer referrals if a participant’s needs are beyond the scope that can be addressed by the group.
While our group of facilitators are Catholic Christians, anyone who is at ease with Christian Scripture and prayer is welcome and can participate fully.
Enrollment is required to attend. For more information and to enroll, please contact St. Peter Claver parish office at 860-561-4235 or email gfrailey@spcwh.org.
Bereavement Ministry
In addition to our support group we have a group of parishioners who reach out with love and compassion to anyone in our community who has suffered a loss. This group will make phone calls, send letters, and be listeners and companions for as long as needed.
Contact: Gigi Frailey, 860-561-4235, gfrailey@spcwh.org
Friendly Visitors Ministry
Many parishioners are home bound and/or have varying abilities due to life circumstances. This includes all people of all ages and all abilities (including neurodivergent individuals). These situations may be temporary or permanent. A friendly visit could make all the difference. We want to provide companionship through connection and community through action. A small chat could lead to a better quality of life. If you are interested in becoming part of this outreach team or are interested in receiving a friendly visit.
Contact: Lisa Barnett: lcbarnett@comcast.net
Prayer Chain
Parishioners pray in private for special intentions and needs. Requests and intentions are accepted any time. The network is activated every Monday and Thursday.
Contact: spcprayerchain@spcwh.org
Knitting Ministries
Prayer Shawls are knitted or crocheted, as an act of Love and healing, for a person who is ill or grieving. With each stitch, the knitter recites the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The shawls are blessed by our pastor, and a healing prayer is included with the shawl. This Ministry creates a loving tie that binds the creating parishioner with the recipient, as the shawl envelopes the recipient with a healing and Divine love.
Contact: VACANT (Please call the Parish Office 860-561-4235)
