Bringing Christ's love to the bereaved: a ministry for Catholic parishes

Fr. Dennis Byrnes in A.D. 2000

Amazingly there are people who after hearing the news that a friend has experienced loss to death, choose not to visit in person. Such people may send a note or make a quick phone call, but they avoid if possible the personal touch of going to the home of the bereaved.

Yet the death of a loved family member or friend is one of life's most severe blows and one from which the bereaved can only recover with the comfort and consolation extended by others through their caring presence and that of the parish community.

The greatest gift we can offer at this time is our presence.