New manager for Pastoral Care Ministers!!
Spread the GOOD NEWS! Fr. Giles Schinelli, TOR, has agreed to take on the leadership position of Manager for the Pastoral Care Ministry to the Sick and Bereavement Ministry. Fr. is well qualified for the position and looks forward to working with these dedicated ministers in our diocese.
Fr. Giles received his BA in Philosophy from Catholic University of America and an STB in Theology and an MAST (STL equivalent) in Theology. He did additional graduate studies at CUA, the University of Notre Dame and Saint Bonaventure University.
Fr. Schinelli has taught at both the secondary and college levels including at James Barry Robinson HS in Norfolk, VA, Cathedral High School in St. Cloud MN, St. Francis University, Loretto, PA. At St. Francis he was Director of the Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry Program.
As a priest he has served in formation and leadership in his community as Director of Novices, Director of Post Novitiate formation and as Minister Provincial. He has also served as President of the Franciscan Federation and is now a member of the Federation’s Commission of Charism Services.
Fr. is joining a well organized group of individuals from every parish in the diocese. This group will continue to be served by Eva Del Rio, who has been serving these ministries since August of 2005 and will be assisting Fr. in his assumption of duties. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Heidi Peckham at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
To Comfort Those Who Mourn: A training process for Parish Bereavement Teams.
Designed to help parishes develop a process and plan for putting their caring into action. Developed for teams of clergy and laity, it has been found that the team approach broadens the service base, reaching more people, supports and ministers and eliminates duplication of efforts and resources.
The training program is made up to four/full day sessions covering the following areas of:
- Grief & Mourning
- Ministering to the Bereaved
- Catholic Funerals and Funeral Planning
- Organizing a Bereavement Ministry in the Parish
The Bereavement trainings will provide:
- A better understanding of the grieving process and theories on loss.
- Skills to effectively reach out for a family’s immediate needs.
- How to organize and facilitate a long-term support group
- Resources for ministers to effectively engage families in personalizing the wake and funeral
- Valuable media and written resources.
- Ongoing consultation and follow-up training is available.
Who should apply?
Parish team members approved by the pastor for this ministry. This team coordinates the Bereavement Ministry in the parish. They engage other ministers and parishioners, as necessary. Optimally, each team should have at last one person capable of dealing with the needs in each of the following areas:
- Immediate Care – provides family of the deceased with immediate care for needs of transportation, food, home, coordination of receptions, etc.
- Liturgical Planning – assists families in planning the wake and funeral by providing them with a better understanding of their options and how they can be more actively involved in this process.
- Long Term Support – a support system that can provide the bereaved with on-going care and ministry throughout the grief cycle.
For more information, please print the following Bereavement brochures in English and/or Spanish.
Schedule of Bereavement Ministry Training:
If you are interested, please contact your parish Bereavement Coordinator, your pastor, or you may also contact 407-246-4880 for more information.
A Minimum of 20 participants is required in order to have a training. All training days must be attended, 8:45 am – 4:00 pm, at the location of choice. Please call us if you have any questions or for an application form. The current fee is $65/person for the entire training. This includes meals and training materials. The deadline to apply is no later than two weeks prior to the first training (this gives participants adequate time to read the required readings for the training).
*Refunds will only be provided to participants who cancel prior to the first session.
Texts recommended for basic training
- Grief Ministry: Helping Others Mourn by Donna Reilly Williams & JoAnn Sturzi
- Order of Christian Funerals, study edition (awaiting reprinting)
- Grieving with the Help of Your Catholic Faith by Lorene Hanley Duquin
Upcoming Bereavement Training for 2011 - New Three-Session Format
Sessions one, two and three are mandatory for certification in the Bereavement Ministry of Consolation for (1) companions with the bereaved family (2) ministers responsible for the initial visit, and (3) ministers who plan funerals. There is an option for others assisting the ministry, such as, hospitality, lectors, etc., to attend session one to learn about the ministry. An optional Grief Facilitator workshop is available, depending on need and enrollment, for a minister who has completed session one –three. The scheduling of the Grief Support Facilitator workshop is dependent on need and the enrollment of at least 12 participants (Maximum of 25).
Fee Schedule:
- Session one only - $20
- Sessions one, two and three -$60 (required for certification)
- Grief support facilitator training - $20 (separate day - after certification only)
REGISTRATION BY APPLICATION IS REQUIRED FOR ANY SESSIONS ATTENDED and FEES (including make-up meal fee) MUST BE SENT with COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORM.
Each session includes breakfast and lunch and training materials at the location specified. Please register with enough time (see cut-off date on application sent with this fax) prior to the first training so we can mail out program information and schedule. There must be a minimum of 20 participants (maximum of 30) for the training to take place. Therefore, the training dates listed are tentative depending on number of participants. Thank you so much for your cooperation!
Payments made for cancelled trainings are credited to future sessions. Refunds will only be provided to participants who cancel prior to the first session.
If a make-up session is needed attendees MUST REGISTER prior to the date, they will attend and must bring any materials received from prior sessions. A $5.00 meal charge will be applicable for each make-up session attended.
Please call 407.246.4880 if you need more information.
Note: If you are interested in becoming a Bereavement Minister, you need to speak with your pastor or BRV Coordinator first. For more information, please contact Eva L. Del Rio at 407.246.4880.
English only:
Session 1: An Overview of the Ministry of Consolation
Session 2: Understanding Grief and Mourning: Ministering to the Bereaved
Session 3: Planning a Christian Funeral: Abiding in the Order of Christian Funerals
Optional Session: Grief Support Facilitator Training. Depends on need and number of participants registered
St. Matthew, Winter Haven
Session 1: Saturday, Sept. 10th
Session 2: Saturday, Oct. 1st
Session 3: Saturday, Oct. 8th
Optional : Saturday, Oct. 15th
Downloads: Application, Grief Support Application, and Information (all pdfs).
Blessed Sacrament, Clermont
Session 1: Saturday, Sept. 17th
Session 2: Saturday, Sept. 24th
Session 3: Saturday, Oct. 1st
Optional : Saturday, Nov. 5th
Downloads: Application, Grief Support Application, and Information (all pdfs).
Cremation
For information about a Catholic Understanding of Cremation please see documents enclosed:
