Program on Handling Grief During the Holidays offered Nov. 4

The holidays may be a very painful and difficult time if you and your family have experienced

the death of loved ones during the past few years. All around us, our culture celebrates while the

tiniest thing can instantly touch off a tidal wave of sadness.

For help in coping during such an emotional time, come to the program “Handling Grief During

the 2024 Holidays” at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church,

1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Come by yourself or invite family members or friends to join

you.

Speaker Paula Kosin is a certified grief educator, licensed counselor, and facilitator of the

educational grief support groups at St. Thomas Church. She will discuss challenges the holidays

can pose and share ideas on how to plan ahead, choose meaningful activities, and honor your

loved one.

Kosin also is the author of the book, “Grieving: A Spiritual Process for Catholics,” a helpful

combination of best practices for healthy grieving from the mental health field with a

compassionate Christian spirituality. Her book will be available for purchase at this event.

The program, sponsored by the behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle, is free but

registration is requested to ensure adequate seating arrangements.

To register or for more information about “Handling Grief During the 2024 Holidays,” contact

Annette Kubalanza, director of pastoral care at St. Thomas, (630) 355-8980, ext. 124, by

Monday, Nov. 4.

The behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental

illness and to minister to the emotionally/mentally ill and their families and friends with

confidentiality and respect. Support is offered through advocacy, prayer and education. For more

information about the ministry, contact Susan Kearney, coordinator of the behavioral health

ministry at (630) 355-8980, ext. 108.

St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God’s

unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness, and service.

Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,000 households and

over 9,000 registered members. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers

and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, please

call (630) 355-8980.

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