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November 2022 Edition

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Helpful

Readings


Activity + Article: Thanksgiving Grief: Finding Gratitude



Video: Gratitude/Happiness Revealed



Video:

An Experiment in Gratitude



The Dance of Grief and Gratitude



At Thanksgiving,

Say Their Names



Changing Holiday Traditions



Assemble Your Holiday Survival Kit Now!



It's All Right to Ask Why



Lonely & Waiting: Walking Through Advent



Activity: Grateful Remembrance Jar



Activity: Advent Litany of Remembering/ Lighting of the Advent Candles


Thanksgiving Prayer

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Words of Encouragement


from


Rhonda Abrams

Bereavement Coordinator



Thanks-Giving Grief / Preparing for the Holidays


Cultivating Gratitude


I love gardening. Well, actually I love plants and growing things, and not necessarily the weeding and maintenance. There may be no simpler joy in life than planting a tiny seed in dirt, caring for it, and eagerly waiting to see how it grows into a beautiful flower or delicious vegetable or herb. This time of the year, it’s cold outside, and I still have plants producing so I painstakingly go out at dusk and cover every tender plant with garden cloth. It’s all about care and compassion, yes, even for a plant. It may otherwise be known as “cultivation” or “taking steps to improve growth”.

Let’s try to align cultivation with grief. I know it doesn’t seem possible, but you can decrease your level of sorrow through cultivation.

Cultivate gratitude. It has been studied and proven that gratitude can increase happiness. Easier said than done, but you may want to give it a try. The actual action of “expressing gratitude” can increase your happiness, even if just a little. It won’t take away your grief, but it can incorporate a spark of brightness in an otherwise painful reality.


In this month’s Bereavement Bulletin, we hope to inspire you to take a chance and try to cultivate gratitude in the midst of your grief and sorrow. The two can peacefully co-exist. You can own your grief while also experiencing glimpses of God’s goodness and grace all around you. Go ahead. Add some dirt and fertilizer to the seeds of hope that are sprinkled all around you. God placed the seeds of hope. You just need to open your eyes to discover them deposited in the ordinary experiences of every day. If nothing else, take 10 minutes out of your day and view the video “Gratitude/ Happiness Revealed” that is attached to this bulletin. And if it inspires you just a bit, view the next video “An Experiment in Gratitude | The Science of Happiness”.  

Then, if you are really feeling brave and adventurous, write about who influenced you the most… and give them a call and read it to them! If this person is no longer living, share it with someone connected to them or someone who needs inspiration. If you have no one to share it with, bring it to our next Grief Support Group on November 20th, or (gasp) share it with family on Thanksgiving Day! Intentionally seek out and cultivate gratitude everywhere and with everyone you meet.  


May God bless and cultivate gratitude in each of your hearts this month and throughout the challenging holiday season.

Related Blog Post

Thanks-Giving: 3 Tips for Finding Gratitude through Grief


It goes without saying that the holiday season can be the most stressful time of the year. With countless obligations and expectations, everyone feels some elevated stress during the months of November and December. This stress can be even more severe if you’ve recently lost a loved one. In a time when we’re supposed to be counting blessings, you may feel that you have nothing to be thankful for. These feelings are valid and a normal part of the grieving process. However, there are ways to work through these feelings and find glimpses of gratitude through your grief this holiday season. Read More

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Upcoming Events

In-Person and Virtual Support Groups


The Catholic Cemeteries Association will be hosting our next in-person and virtual grief support groups on Sunday, November 20th. In-person groups will meet at 3pm, and the virtual group will meet at 5pm via Zoom.

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We offer a comfortable, private, and encouraging environment where you are free to explore your grief and all that you are feeling.


Grief support groups meet in the main offices:

  • All Saints Cemetery, Northfield
  • All Souls Cemetery, Chardon
  • Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland
  • Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron
  • Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park
  • St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon
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For those not able to attend our in-office grief support groups, we welcome you to join our monthly VIRTUAL grief support group. In a comfortable and supportive environment, you'll find a warm fellowship of people with similar grief experiences. You can join by computer or by phone.


Come.

Listen.

Be in the presence of those who understand.

Meetings are free of charge and are open discussion format, surrounding a monthly topic or whatever is on your heart. The upcoming November 20th meeting topic will be:


“Thanks-Giving Grief / Preparing for the Holidays”

Register for our Virtual Sunday Grief Support here.


Learn more about our in-person Sunday Grief Support groups here. 

Questions? Contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866 or rabrams@clecem.org

Cemetery Sunday

Sunday, November 6, 2022, 3-4PM


Cemetery Sunday is an annual Mass celebrated in honor of your departed loved ones on the sacred grounds of the cemetery. It is celebrated in conjunction with the feasts of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.


Locations:

All Saints Cemetery

Nativity Mausoleum

480 W. Highland Road

Northfield, OH, 44067

Rev. Luigi C. Miola


All Souls Cemetery

Service Building

10366 Chardon Road

Chardon, OH, 44024

Rev. Jim Caddy


Calvary Cemetery

Main Office

10000 Miles Avenue

Cleveland, OH, 44105

Rev. Thomas V. O'Donnell, MA


Calvary Cemetery

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mausoleum

555 N. Ridge Road W.

Lorain, OH, 44053

Rev. Craig Hovanec

Holy Cross Cemetery

Sacred Heart of Jesus Mausoleum

100 E. Waterloo Road

Akron, OH, 44319

Rev. Thomas McCann


Holy Cross Cemetery

Service Building

14609 Brookpark Road

Brook Park, OH, 44142

Rev. Jerome M. Lajack


St. Joseph Cemetery

St. Joseph Mausoleum

32789 Detroit Road

Avon, OH, 44011

Rev. Robert J. Kraig


St. Mary Cemetery

Service Building

4720 E. 71st Street

Cuyahoga Heights, OH, 44125

Rev. Andrzej Panek

Click here to learn more about Cemetery Sunday!

Children's Grief Awareness Day

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Wear  BLUE  on November 17th to show your support for Children's Grief Awareness Day!


Many other activities, large and small, can raise awareness of grieving children. Click here to learn more!

Additional Support Resources

Check out our latest podcast:

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Click here to subscribe!

Prayers from Maria- Field of Hope


CCAirwaves welcomes Megan McNamara, Co-Founder of Prayers from Maria! Join us to learn how the McNamara's were able to channel the grief of losing their daughter into an organization that brings hope to childhood cancer patients and their families. 


In addition, we highlight a few upcoming events, different ways to support Prayers from Maria, the sunflower fields, etc. 

Click here to listen! 

You can also listen to CCAirwaves on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Our Bereavement Resource Guide is a useful reference tool with information about local and online grief support resources. Click the button below to access the guide.

Bereavement Resource Guide
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