Grief, Loss & Trauma

During times of change, people experience significant loss and grief. For some, if the loss is significant and experienced for the first time, it is an experience of trauma.

This world pandemic has elicited a number of different emotional responses and has raised many questions about God’s place in all of it. The emotional responses by students and others is an expression of the various losses experienced and is a cry for answers as they search for meaning and understanding in this current (and future) reality.

Our greatest desire is to provide support to our communities so that we can accompany each other during these times of grief, loss and trauma. Following are a range of resources which endeavour to respond to the emerging spiritual questions and to the human emotional responses of students and staff during challenging times. As we become more equipped at offering spaces where these responses can be heard and held, we create pathways for healing and growth.

“Not everything can be fixed or cured, but it should be named properly.”

Richard Rohr

Patricia Thomas from Grief Care explores the experiences of grief, loss and trauma that many of our students and staff are experiencing. Grief Care is an ecclesial Pastoral Care agency of the Church at Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria. Patricia’s experience and wisdom in this field is extensive.

Episode 25 & 26: Supporting our Students During COVID-19
In Conversation with Patricia Thomas from Grief Care

In the first episode Patricia reflects on some of the ways the students may react to the challenges within this pandemic (Flight, Fight, Fright and Fawn). She also speaks about the great value of putting language around these experiences and of the need to create spaces where feelings can be heard and held.

In the second episode Patricia explores some strategies which can assist with emotional regulation and agility for both students and adults. She also explores some of the more healthy and helpful ways to express or offer support. Patricia delves deeply into the human experience of pain or struggle and the place of God in this time of great turmoil and uncertainty.

Ripples is a PODCAST developed for staff and parents on-going spiritual formation. It seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to creation and to our loving God. Come and enjoy some Inspired Voices and Treasured Stillness.

While responding to loss, some responses may include significant disappointment and anger towards God. This inevitably puts into question the nature of God and whether this is all part of God's plan.

In this video, Fr Richard Leonard SJ speaks to this current context and reflects on the place of God within it all.

Fr Richard Leonard is a Jesuit priest, author and educator who explores ways of thinking about faith and living that are realistic, that focus firmly on what matters most, and are grounded in the faith of the Church.