Overview 2022 Lenten series - From Grief toward Healing Mission Statement Contributing representatives/Ministries Action and Support Celebrating Fifteen Years Contact Related Links

Lenten Series 2022 – From Grief Toward Healing: Responding to the Crises of Our Times

The Justice and Peace Commission is offering four Zoom sessions beginning Wednesday March 9, 2022, and are intended to provide an opportunity to increase awareness of feelings around loss, especially over the last two years.

The four major categories of grief are:

  • March 2022 will mark the second full year of the pandemic, in which much has been lost
  • People grieving the climate crisis and its associated changes
  • The discovery of unmarked graves on the property of the former residential school in Kamloops
  • The increase in hatred, especially towards Muslims and Jews

It is hoped through these four sessions that people will have an opportunity to:

  • increase awareness of one’s underlying feelings and emotions as related to these four topics
  • create a safe place to articulate thoughts, feelings and emotions
  • create a supportive atmosphere for sharing and discussion
  • increase one’s understanding of certain feelings and actions (i.e., hatred)
  • weave together the theological underpinnings of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus as a means of supporting ourselves and one another through difficult and challenging times

Identifying elements of grief within one’s self is part of the process of healing. Healing helps support individuals dealing with loss and moving to Easter Sunday, the joy and hopefulness of the Risen Christ in one’s midst. Healing of individuals also helps heal the wider community and together has the potential to bring about more equitable treatment of one another, fostering a sense of fairness, respect and justice for all.

Four Lenten Zoom Sessions

The four Lenten sessions will be hosted on Zoom beginning Wednesday March 9, 2022.

  1. March 9: James Reid Bereavement Team - what is grief?

  2. March 16: Mary Raddon - grief as it pertains to climate

  3. March 23: Mona Rahman - how grief is experienced as 'the other'

  4. March 30: Sr. Pauline Lally - looking at grief through hope

Please join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4905877033.

For more information, please contact Rev. Canon Valerie Kelly at justiceandpeacearc@gmail.com.

If you are unable to attend the Zoom sessions, the video presentations that will be used in the Zoom sessions are listed below:

Session 1 – Into the Wilderness (March 9, 2022)

This first session is hosted by staff from James Reid Funeral Home and deals with what grief is and what grief looks like. 

Session 2 – At the Foot of the Cross – Critical Issues of Our Times

Diocesan Green Group member Mary Raddon explores the theme of grief within the context of climate change.

Session 3 – Huddling in the Upper Room - Fear/Despair/Disbelief/Hope

The third session is hosted by Mona Rahman from the Islamic Society of Kingston. Mona talks about the challenges facing the Muslim community with regards to racism and the spread of Islamophobia. (A longer version of Mona's presentation can be found here).

Session 4 – The Resurrection – Hope Toward Healing

This fourth session is hosted by Sister Pauline Lally of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. Sr. Pauline talks about hope in the face of grief and our calling as Christians to be eternally hopeful in the face of these challenging times.