National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved offers training, resources

Published: 2007-11-01

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Since it moved its headquarters to St. Louis more than three years ago, the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved has been continually expanding its presence across the country and beyond. The organization has members -- dioceses, other groups or individuals -- in 40 states, Canada and Guam, many of whom have been trained in bereavement ministry, according to executive director Sister Mary Ann Wachtel. "We're certainly becoming a lot more solid," said Sister Mary Ann, a member of the Sisters of Christian Community. Founded in 1990, the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved offers pastoral and spiritual support to the bereaved, caregivers, agencies, congregations, dioceses and others through education and resources. Its offices are in the Maria Center on the campus of the School Sisters of Notre Dame motherhouse in Lemay. Sister Mary Ann said that the foundation of the ministry is to follow the Order of Christian Funerals, which was developed by U.S. bishops and defines and provides guidelines for the rites of passage from death to eternal life. The organization's Web site is www.griefwork.org.

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