The lotus is a symbol of strength, resilience, healing, and rebirth.

Growth of the lotus is similar to the process of grief counseling.

From dark soil, beneath murky waters, a seed becomes a bud.

The stem moves towards the light, the bud rises above the water’s surface, and blooms into a beautiful, fragrant, translucent flower. 

Each lotus seed represents a new beginning. 

Like the lotus, we too, emerge from darkness, grow and bloom as we move through grief.

Let me accompany you on your grief journey to fully bloom like the lotus, which slowly opens to display all its natural strength and beauty.   

Marie M.

I never thought I would belong to “this club” so early in my life.  I am so grateful for Catholic Charities to have placed me in your caring, professional arms.  You have helped me tremendously and for that, I am so grateful.  As I journey through new chapters in my life, I’m glad you’re the one helping me navigate them!  Sal would be so proud of me! Thanks for your support

Luciana P.

I am so grateful to the grieving group I can share my grief with others without any judgement. Gae is a great leader.

Terry

Needing a safe place to voice my sorrow, my regrets, and to know that others share and understand my grieving emotions and how to process it and go forward in living without a loved one.  

Terry F.

By listening and sharing with the group, it gave me the “sanity” I needed to recover from a sudden loved ones Covid death, that I am not alone and the support I needed to understand myself and the doubts that surrounded me.  

Dave K. 

I find it comforting to talk with others who have also experienced loss, in a trusting & supportive environment.  

Bob D.

For me, the beauty of attending our 'Group' has been listening - and taking in the thoughts, wisdom and emotions of others. When I began here, I was at my lowest point possible but the 'nuggets of gold' given by my mates helped me continue to function through my grief. Having been absent many months because of illness, the treasures of the Group were brought into even sharper focus.  

Cynthia A 

The Group gave me the ability to share my grief with people whom understood my pain, my sadness, my emptiness, because they too felt that way.  I could see their pain.  Feel their pain. I knew I could learn from them, and that’s what I needed most to learn how to live again because I was just surviving. They showed me warmth and kindness. Members made me feel safe to share my pain. Because of Group, I know in time I will be ok.  

Ann S.

As a young widow, I don't have many people in my friend group who understand what I am going through.  Grief is a lonely road to travel alone.  Gae and her Group have given me a place of belonging.  We laugh, we cry, and we learn to slowly live the new life we are given.  

Ronnie D

Strength, knowledge of self, comfort, friendship, and understanding how to navigate through my grief journey sums up how participating in Gae's Bereavement Group has enhanced my life. Through Gae's guidance my mind and heart have been opened to making a "new" life for ME.  

Ethel, a grieving mother

I was broken and life was unmanageable. This Group helped me cope. Heard me cry.  Helped me to live life.                                                           

Laurie

I hit a wall in my grief.  I was exhausted, so very sad, and up until I found this support group, I could not share my grief with anyone, nor did I want to because the responses from people seemed so disingenuous. And for me my pain was not disingenuous, it was hurtful, it was suffocating and all encompassing.     

Zach H

Grief and loss can be tremendously isolating, but interacting with others who have experienced similar events can be a source of shared strength.  

A Special Message from Gae

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