MADISON — The Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities-Diocese of Madison will be sponsoring a four-part series starting in September.
Suicide Loss-Addressing Our Suicidal Losses with the Help of Our Catholic Faith is a support group series covering the unique experience of grief from losing a loved one to suicide, how to move through the grief processes, and how to support those experiencing grief, both for themselves and others.
Peggy Weber, RN, MSN, and certified grief educator will be facilitating the series.
Weber also facilitates grief support groups throughout the year in the Diocese of Madison.
A healing experience
This series is in part a response to the increasing number of deaths by suicide in the United States, being one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.
Megan Wedwick, director of the Apostolate, hopes that it will be a healing experience for those who have experienced a loss due to suicide, and those who have been hurt in the past by misunderstandings regarding the Church’s stance on suicide and the burial of suicide victims.
“There are many people who have been told that their loved one won’t be in Heaven because they died by suicide. But that’s why the Church calls us to pray for all souls because we truly don’t know what state the soul was in,” said Wedwick.
“The Catechism of the Catholic Church says ‘We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives (CCC 2283).’ That’s why we want people to know that there is hope and that they’re not alone in their loss”.
Losing a loved one to suicide has a profound impact on families and society due to the trauma and suddenness of the loss.
Many are unsure of how to support those experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one by suicide. Many do not know where to begin.
Weber hopes that this series can be a place where those struggling with a loss due to suicide can begin to heal and learn more about the nature of grief that comes from a loss by suicide.
Those who have questions are encouraged to call or email the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities at APD@MadisonDiocese.org
Session dates
The first session of the free series will be on Tuesday, Sept. 12, with Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison attending the first session.
The following sessions will be on the evenings of Sept. 26, Oct. 10, and Oct. 24. All sessions will be held at Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison.
Each evening will begin with an optional dinner at 5 p.m. followed by the program at 6 p.m. The program will end no later than 8 p.m.
It is important to note that the evenings are designed as a series. Those planning on attending should consider attending all of the sessions.
While registration is not required it is appreciated.
RSVP by Thursday, Sept., 7, to the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities office by emailing APD@madisondiocese.org or by calling 608-821-3050.