February 2021 Edition
Experiencing God's Loving Embrace &
Preparing Our Grieving Hearts for Lent
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."


2 Corinthians 12:9-10  
Words of Encouragement
from Rhonda Abrams, Bereavement Coordinator

During this unfortunate pandemic, the things that people miss the most are the close and personal physical interactions with other people. There are few things more comforting (on this Earth) than the intimacy of a loving embrace. A brief hug from a close friend, caregiver, or a church member can bring new life to a lonely aching heart. This pandemic painfully calls us away from the intimacy we so desperately desire.  

The same is true for those who are grieving. We yearn for the warm loving touch of our departed loved ones, the sound of their voice, and even their reminiscent aroma. There is no substitute for this closeness, and so we are left longing. 

When you are deep in your grief, “the world” is painfully stripped away. Nothing makes sense or feels the same. The world carries on without you, leaving you in a disoriented, isolated space. But, oddly enough, that same stripped away world allows you to find a greater sense of God’s presence. God draws closer to you and the veil between the spiritual and the earthly worlds becomes thin and more open to you. The Divine becomes more accessible because you find yourself involuntarily freed of worldly cares. In these desolate places and in your weakened state, if you allow it, God becomes your only strength. A peaceful respite.

When you go to Him, God is able to more fully attend to your brokenness with His grace and gentle touch. He comes and sits with you in your sorrow, and embraces you until you are able to shed some of it and feel the warmth of His embrace, His love. God’s love is everywhere and in everything. We need only open our (spiritual) eyes and become aware of His loving presence all around us every day. 

In the articles in this bulletin, it is my hope that you will find encouragement and a path that leads you to a greater experience of God’s loving embrace. As our Lenten season approaches, plan now to make time to sit with God. Seek Him with all your heart. Invite Him into your days and nights. Talk to Him about your loved one, your brokenness, and thank Him for the love that you shared and will always have between you.
NEW - Virtual Sunday Grief Support Group
The Catholic Cemeteries Association will be hosting a special Virtual Sunday Grief Support Group on Sunday, February 21 at 5pm. This new support group, hosted via Zoom, will cover the same material as our in-person Sunday Grief Support Groups. February's topics are: Experiencing God's Loving Embrace & Preparing Our Grieving Hearts for Lent

Registration is free and open to anyone seeking bereavement support.
Questions? Contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866 or rabrams@clecem.org
Starting with the season of Lent, we are reminded of the intense and painful journey that Christ underwent. The 40 days He spent in the desert were ones of pure temptation and a harsh reminder of His humanity. Christ’s journey was one that turned away from the sin and death of the world and instead walked toward the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. Of course, we honor this journey still today, as many people choose to enter into a personal spiritual journey for the 40 days of Lent by fasting and otherwise making a sacrifice to Christ. This Lenten journey is similar to the journey that is grief. When a loved one dies, so does a part of our heart. Similar to Christ’s journey, grief is the process of turning away from suffering and pain and growing closer to new life. For those who have lost a loved one, this new life is their new reality: life without their loved one. This journey is not an easy one. Just as Jesus was tempted in the desert, those who grieve will have set backs and will struggle at times. But, by looking to Christ as an example, and by remembering the promise of life that lies at the end of the journey, you may find the extra strength you need to carry on. Keep reading to learn more.