Pastoral Care

Our faith calls us to realize that we are communal people on a faith journey. We need the support of each other in times of difficulty and transition. Listed below are ministries that seek to respond to families in need of support.

Ministry to the Sick Training Program

Have you ever considered becoming more active in ministering to the sick but are uncertain where to begin?

The Family Ministries Office periodically offers a six-part Training Program to help anyone learn how to better help out in this important ministry for those who minister to the sick in hospitals, nursing homes, or to the homebound.

For more information, contact Denise Bouchard at (502) 636-0296 or dbouchard@archlou.org.

Maranatha Retreat Ministry

The Maranatha Retreat Ministry is for those living with serious illness and their caregivers.  It is a one day retreat designed to provide those living with a serious or chronic illness as well as his or her primary caregiver the ability to participate in prayer, sacraments, and fellowship with others living with similar life challenges.

For more information, contact Denise Bouchard at (502) 636-0296 or dbouchard@archlou.org.

Project Rachel – a Post-Abortion Ministry

Reconciliation and healing for those who are in pain from an abortion experience.
“Rachel mourns her children; she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more. Thus says the Lord: Cease your cries of mourning. Wipe the tears from your eyes. The sorrow you have shown shall have its reward … There is hope for your children.” -Jeremiah 31:15-47

A Loving, Forgiving Church

Without a doubt, abortion is one of the most traumatic experiences for an individual.

Both before and after abortion, feelings of fear, anxiety, guilt and pain are common — not only for the woman who undergoes the abortion, but also for the unborn child’s father, grandparents, other relatives, close friends of the parents, even medical personnel involved in the process.

The pain of abortion can be intensified by a sense of alienation from God and Church. If you are in this position, you need to know and believe healing and reconciliation really reside in the heart of the Church, in the heart of Christ.

Project Rachel is a sensitive, private and confidential experience. It helps a person cope with the emotional pain and to reclaim a sense of self-worth and trust in God’s unconditional forgiveness. It offers counseling within a religious context and includes the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the Catholic who wishes to receive it.

Support is available from priests, counselors, women who have had abortions and post-abortion groups.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the pain from an abortion experience, we invite you to call this confidential number: 502-471-2155.

Resources:

Hopeafterabortion.com

Support for Adults When a Loved One Has Died

Griefshare is a grief recovery support group that is offered locally at various parishes throughout the year. For those who have lost a loved one, whether recently or long ago, the Griefshare program provides hope and support in a proven program to help those struggling with the loss of a loved one.

For further information, check out Griefshare’s website HERE. To find where the program is being offered currently, please reach out to Denise Bouchard in the Family Ministries Office at 502/636-0296 or at dbouchard@archlou.org.

Additional Links:

Care Notes (Abbey Press, St. Meinrad, IN)

  • Getting Through the First Weeks After the Funeral)
  • Giving Yourself Permission to Grieve
  • Handling Your Fears After the Death of Your Spouse
  • Finding Your Way After the Death of a Spouse

Journeying through Grief (Stephen Ministries, St. Louis, MO)

  • A Time to Grieve
  • Experiencing Grief
  • Finding Hope and Healing

Whole Hearted (Catholic Charities USA)
PSM and Community Health – Catholic Charities USA
A New, Free Resource for Parishes, Whole Hearted, which:

  • Provides basic and helpful trauma awareness
  • Is not clinical or professional mediation; does not do what mental health can do much better; it is not meant to replace professional health
  • Presents information on trauma’s impact and on how one might begin to move forward mentally and spirituality

Red Bird Ministries
The Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Family and Life Ministries has partnered with Red Bird Ministries of Louisiana to offer a program for parents who have lost a child — from pregnancy through adulthood.

The group meets monthly on the fourth Thursday in St. Louis Bertrand Church’s parish hall, 1104 S. Sixth St.

Seven Stages of Grief

Hosparus

There are additional support systems available in the community. If you would like more information, please contact us at 502/636-0296 or family@archlou.org.

Retrouvaille – a Lifeline for Troubled Marriages

Retrouvaille – A Lifeline for Troubled Marriages

Couples of all ages, lifestyles and ethnic backgrounds come to this weekend. Some have already separated or divorced, but want to try again. Many are struggling to stay together. Common among all the couples is a sincere desire to build a stable, loving marriage. This program offers the tools for this to happen.

The weekend experience is combined with a series of six post-weekend sessions over three months. The main emphasis of the program is on communication between husband and wife as they examine their lives together in a new and positive way.

For information about a weekend or Retrouvaille locally, call 502/479-3329 and someone will return your call.

For general information and weekends across the nation, visit the Retrouvaille web site.

Nullity Workshops

For information on the annulment process or for nullity workshop dates, contact the Tribunal at 502/585-3291 or tribunal@archlou.org.

To receive a free booklet entitled, “Common Questions and Answers About Marriage, Divorce and Nullity in the Catholic Church,” please contact us at family@archlou.org.

Resources

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