For They Shall Be Comforted
Accompanying the Bereaved in our Catholic Schools
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted
Matthew 5: 4
Purpose of this Resource
This project is intended to be used by Religion Consultants, Faith Animators, School Principals and Chaplains who support and guide school-level teams providing pastoral support to their communities. School staff may also find practical resources and suggestions to inform and empower them as they accompany the bereaved within our Catholic schools. School administrators and system-level staff will be able to suggest how the resources within this document align with local policies and procedures which must be adhered to at all times. We caution anyone who is not a professionally trained counsellor to draw on and defer to the expertise of mental health professionals whenever there are specific concerns about the wellbeing of a member of their community.
Setting the Context
As Catholic learning communities, we teach and support our students and their families in ways that extend beyond the curriculum. In times of trial and challenge, families often reach out to the school to guide and support them and their children. This is especially true when community members are grappling with serious illness, traumatic events, or the death of a loved one. It is a testament to who we are as a Catholic Education System that caregivers and community members turn to us through their darkest moments. Click on the button below to read more about how our Catholic schools can support.