Bereavement
Parish Companions Ministry
Parish Companions provide one-on-one support for those who have lost a loved one.
When our parish receives notification of the death of someone closely related to a parishioner (for example, a parent, sibling, grandparent, or in-law), a Parish Companion is assigned, and a letter from our pastor is sent to the bereaved parishioner.
A Parish Companion reaches out with a personal note and continues contact for about a year—through periodic messages (monthly or bimonthly), and on meaningful dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
The parish also holds a Mass of Remembrance and reception around All Souls’ Day (November) to honor loved ones who have passed away in the previous year. Parish Companions are encouraged to attend and participate in this special liturgy, as well as at Funeral Masses.
If you would like to become a Parish Companion or learn more, please contact the Pastoral Office at
📞 (305) 361-2351 | 📧 Bereavement@stagneskb.org
Grief Support Group
Our Grief Support Group welcomes any adult who is grieving the loss of a loved one. It is a safe and faith-filled space to share, listen, and find comfort in God’s presence and in the community.
Group Guidelines
Listen to one another with respect and without interrupting.
Respect the feelings of others.
Abstain from judgmental comments or questions.
Promote trust and mutual self-esteem.
Acknowledge that talking about death and loss can be difficult.
Take responsibility for self-care and seek professional help when needed.
No advice-giving or fixing — speak from your own experience (“I” statements).
This is not a space for self-promotion or proselytizing.
All conversations remain confidential.
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."
— Reinhold Niebuhr
Why This Model Works Across Cultures
Our grief-support approach affirms the universality of human suffering while honoring each culture’s unique ways of mourning.
Community-based: Trained companions and facilitators live within the community and provide long-term, accessible support.
Culturally aware: Local traditions and expressions of mourning are respected and integrated.
Faith-integrated: Grief is not dismissed, and faith is not treated as a simple solution, but as a profound source of healing.
Sustainable: When professional counseling is not available, peer-support rooted in faith offers continual presence and hope.