Support for the Grieving Bereavement Ministry
&
Grief Support Groups
Foreword
We try to offer a comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date listing for the entire ten-county territory of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Grief support groups frequently change schedules. Hospitals are generally most consistent
in their programs. It is always best to make contact ahead to confirm information. Let us know if there are any errors, additions or changes needed in this list.
St. Dominic
18255 West Capitol Drive
Brookfield WI 53045-1422
Parish e-mail: parish@stdominic.net
Contact Susan Petersen, 262 781 3480 or susan.petersen@stdominic.net.
Twice a year the Hope Series is offered, consisting of four morning sessions in October and four evening sessions in May. There are occasional one-day programs available. Susan is also available for one-on-one bereavement support and referrals. St. Dominic works with St. John Vianney in Brookfield, St. Mary in Elm Grove and St. Joseph in Wauwatosa.
St. John Vianney
1755 North Calhoun Road
Brookfield WI 53005
Parish e-mail: sjv@stjohnv.org Contact Mary Kaminski, 262 796 3944 or maryk@stjohnv.org.
Twice a year the Hope Series is offered, consisting of four morning sessions in October and four evening sessions in May.
There are occasional one-day programs available. St. John Vianney works with St. Dominic in Brookfield, St. Mary in Elm Grove and St. Joseph in Wauwatosa.
Fond du Lac
Holy Family
26 West Follett Street
Fond du Lac WI 54935
Contact Rosalie Hartmann, 920 921 0580 or rhartma2@hffdl.org.
Genesee Depot
St. Paul
PO Box 95
Genesee Depot WI 53127
Parish e-mail: saintpaul@archmil.org Contact Kathy Labinski, 262 968 3865,
who occasionally facilitates a group.
Greendale
St. Alphonsus
5960 West Loomis Road
Greendale WI 53129
414 421 2442
Parish e-mail: stals@st-alphonsus.org Contact Kathy Knutel, Team Leader, 414 421 3796, or
Sr. Eileen Kazmierowicz, Director of Adult and Family Ministry,
414 421 0690 or eileen@st-alphonsus.org.
Group meets from 10-11:30 am.
on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
Carrie Dzibinski and Nancy Snyder facilitate the support group.
Hales Corners
St. Mary
9520 West Forest Home Avenue
Hales Corners WI 53130
Parish e-mail: stmaryhc@aol.com Contact Mary Matestic, 414 425 2174, who also facilitates a Holiday Support Group for a six-week session.
Hubertus
St. Gabriel
3727 Hubertus Road
Hubertus WI 53033-9794
Contact Maureen Mitchell, 262 628 2840/work or 262 673 2986/home or mmitchell@sgabriel.org or
Sandy Hennes RN,
262 628 1227.
Kenosha
St. Mary and St. Mark Parishes
Contact Karen Metallo, St. Mark’s Pastoral Associate, 262 656 7373 or stmark-kenosha@acronet.net.
Support group meets at St. Mary’s Parish, 7307 – 40th Avenue, from 9 - 10:30 am. on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
Menomonee Falls
Good Shepherd
N88 W17658 Christman Road
Menomonee Falls WI 53051
262 255 2210
Parish e-mail: goodshepherd@gdinet.com Contact Lois Pearson, 262 251 1001.
Adults and children meet at 7 pm. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. The adult group meets in the Chapel just inside the south entrance. The children's group meets in Room 216 at the same time with Lois Pearson of Care Connection, 262 251 1001. The support groups are sponsored by Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls.
Mequon
St. James
W28 N11300 St. James Lane
Mequon WI 53092
Parish e-mail: stjmail@stscj.org Contact Jim or Carol Ott, 262 241 9411.
This group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 7-8:30 pm. in the lower level of the Parish Center in the St. John Room.
Carol Hawke, 262 242 9434, has a follow-up ministry
at the parish.
Milwaukee
Blessed Sacrament
3100 South 41st Street
Milwaukee WI 53219
A group for widows and widowers meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Contact Sr. Connie Taylor, 414 643 5678.
Riverbank Catholic Connection
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Old St. Mary's,
Our Lady of Divine Providence, Ss. Peter & Paul
and Three Holy Women Parishes Contact Monica Meagher, 414 962 2443, ext 12 or meagherm@archmil.org.
St. Gregory the Great
3160 South 63rd Street
Milwaukee WI 53219
Parish e-mail: coelian@asapnet.net Contact Sr. Jomarie Zielke CSA, Parish Nurse,
414 543 8292.
Group meets from 12 noon-2 pm. on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
St. Margaret Mary
3930 North 92nd Street
Milwaukee WI 53222-2588
Contact Pat Unti, Parish Nurse, 414 831 0491 or
Sr. Rosie Bonk SSND, Pastoral Minister for Adults,
414 461 6073 or rtbonk@stmmp.org.
St. Sebastian
5400 West Washington Boulevard
Milwaukee WI 53208
414 453 1061
Parish e-mail: saintsebs@saintsebs.org
Young widowed and their children meet at 6:30 pm. on the 4th Monday of the month. Children meet separately and counselors are available.
St. Veronica
353 East Norwich Street
Milwaukee WI 53207
414 482 2920
Parish e-mail: stvern@execpc.com
No group at this time.
Muskego
St. Leonard
W173 S7743 Westwood Drive
Muskego WI 53150-9160
Contact Carlene Larson, 262 679 1773 or larsonc@archmil.org.
No group currently meeting,
but Carlene will speak with anyone personally
who is grieving.
New Berlin
Holy Apostles
16000 West National Avenue
New Berlin WI 53151-5599
Contact Jane Hoida, 414 905 1473, for information, although no formal group is currently meeting.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
12700 West Howard Avenue
New Berlin WI 53151
Contact Liz Hanna, 262 782 6760 or
seaseton@execpc.com.
Racine
St. Richard
1509 Grand Avenue
Racine WI 53403 Contact Pam at 262 637 8374 for information and to register. There is a session in the spring and the fall, each for six weeks.
Sheboygan Falls
Blessed Trinity
327 Giddings Avenue
Sheboygan Falls WI 53085
Contact Sr. Marcia Vogl, 920 467 4616 or
staff@blessedtrinityparish.com.
Waukesha
St. Joseph
824 North East Avenue
Waukesha WI 53186
Contact Sr. Julie Weckwerth, 262 542 2589 or weckwerthj@archmil.org.
St. William
440 North Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha WI 53188
Contact Joe Nettesheim, 262 547 2763, ext 213 or swadult@execpc.com for more information. There is a series several times a year.
West Allis
Mary, Queen of Heaven
2322 South 106th Street
West Allis WI 53227-2001
Parish e-mail: mqh@execpc.com Contact Ann Spoerl, 414 328 5568.
Group meets at 11 am. on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
West Bend
St. Frances Cabrini
1025 South 7th Avenue
West Bend WI 53095
Contact Carol Burczyk, Pastoral Associate, 262 338 2366 ext. 20 or carol@stfcabrini.com.
Support group meets at 7 pm. on the 1st Thursday of the month in the Education Center at 615 Hawthorn Drive.
Bereavement Ministry
This Ministry, a joint service of Lifelong Faith Formation Office and the Catholic Cemeteries (see next section),
provides resources for collaborative parish ministry, networking possibilities, community resources and services. It also organizes, publicizes, implements and evaluates services and programs associated with widowed and grieving. Staff develops and provides bereavement resources for individuals and parishes, including audio-visual materials and information on support groups. Retreats for widowed persons and programs for bereaved parents are organized and implemented through this Office. Training workshops are available to people in parishes who are interested in Bereavement Ministry.
ContactRandy Nohl, Director
or
Barb Krieser, Senior Secretary
Lifelong Faith Formation Office —
Bereavement Ministry
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
414 758 2216
Print and Media Resources offered through Bereavement Ministry— (These Resources are available, but please inquire for specifics of price and shipping & handling.) ~ Grief Packet
The Grief Packet contains prayers, reflections and suggestions for grieving people. Recommended for the bereaved family at the time of death as an expression of sympathy from the parish.
~ Suicide Packet
The Suicide Packet
offers help for family and friends who are experiencing all the feelings of uncertainty, confusion and doubts after a death by suicide.
~ Let's Live Again
A reflection booklet and journal prepared for widowed persons.
~ Bereavement Ministry in the Parish
A video-based Training Program with companion Study Guide for implementing Bereavement Ministry.
~ To Heal as Jesus Heals
A resource for parish support groups, as well as a self-help process workbook.
~ The Catholic and Death
A resource and reflection booklet on spiritual and practical matters.
Catholic Cemeteries
Now grief education and bereavement support are offered to parishes through the cooperative service of two Archdiocesan agencies — the Lifelong Faith Formation Office and the Catholic Cemeteries. Patrick Dean and Chuck Murphy offer on-site visits for planning and assessment of new or continuing bereavement ministry. Presentations on grief can be scheduled for bereavement ministers or parish members.
Patrick Dean, certified in death, dying and bereavement, works with individuals or small family groups.
The free grief education and support service is offered to families who have had a loved one buried in one of the eight
Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Patrick will offer the Common Ground of Grief Series, monthly grief education presentations and monthly open grief support groups. Click here for the Common Ground Schedule.
Contact Patrick Dean at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7301 West Nash Street, Milwaukee WI 53216,
414 438 4420, ext 302 (voicemail anytime). Also, visit his web site: www.griefwork.com or click here to email Patrick. Click here to read more about Patrick.
Contact Chuck Murphy at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7301 West Nash Street, Milwaukee WI 53216,
414 438 4420, ext 128 (voicemail anytime) or 414 349 3460 / cell. Also email Chuck Murphy here.
Project Rachel
A Post-Abortion Reconciliation Ministry offered by the Archdiocese through the Office for Human Concerns/ Respect Life and Catholic Charities. Priests have been specially trained to minister the Sacrament of Reconciliation to people who have been involved in an abortion; Catholic Charities Social Workers, also specially trained, are available for counseling in a hopeful and caring context.
Contact first the Office for Human Concerns/Respect Life,
414 769 3426 or 414 769 3353 or toll free within the Archdiocese 800 769 9373, ext 426 or 353.
St. Agnes Hospital
430 East Division Street
Fond du Lac WI 54935
920 929 2300
A Spring Evening Grief Support Group is offered from April 1 to May 20, 2008 on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30 pm. in the Fond du Lac Plaza Private Dining Room at the Hospital. This free community service is for individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Participants will be provided with the education and tools needed to help cope with the grieving process.
Contact Terri St. Lawrence, Community Health Program Coordinator, 920 926 4961.
Contact St. Agnes Hospital, 920 926 4843, for the RTS Bereavement Program, meeting at 7 pm. on the 3rd Monday of the month.
St. Francis Terrace
345 East First Street
Fond du Lac WI 54935
920 923 7980 A Spring Afternoon Grief Support Group is offered from April 1 to May 20, 2008 on Tuesdays from 2:30-5:00 pm. in the Gathering Place Dining Room at the Terrace. Participants should use the First Street parking lot and come in the main entrance. This free community service is for individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Participants will be provided with the education and tools needed to help cope with the grieving process. Contact Terri St. Lawrence, Community Health Program Coordinator, 920 926 4961.
All Saints Healthcare System
All Saints Medical Center St. Mary's Campus
3801 Spring Street
Racine WI 53405
Hospitals
Web site: www.allsaintshealth.com Contact Spiritual Care Services at 262 687 4593 for details for this defined series of meetings starting in September, 2005.
Hartford Memorial Hospital
1032 East Sumner
Hartford WI 53027
414 673 2300
St. Luke's Medical Center
2900 West Oklahoma Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53215
Contact Barbara Peterson, 414 328 6280.
Four regular support groups:
~ Recently Widowed
~
Men & Grief, call 414 649 7526
~ Loss of a Loved One for Children (6-12 years old)
~ Survivors Helping Survivors (suicide support group) Contact Marcia Williams, 414 649 6930.
St. Luke's South Shore
5900 South Lake Drive
Cudahy WI 53110
414 489 9000
Contact 414 481 0520 for current information about Grief Support Group; it may not meet regularly.
A group has been meeting regularly at St. Mary Parish,
1304 Manitoba Avenue, South Milwaukee WI 53172
at 7 pm. on the 1st Thursday of the month.
Contact Paula McKean, 414 762 6810.
Sinai Medical Center Milwaukee Heart Institute
First Floor
960 North 12th Street
Milwaukee WI 53201
Contact 888 863 5502 for information and registration.
A support group meets regularly from 6:30-8:30pm on Wednesdays.
Children's Health System
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
9000 West Wisconsin Avenue
Mail Station 745
PO Box 1997
Milwaukee WI 53201
Hospital web site: www.chw.org Contact Larry Uglow, 414 266 2745.
Milwaukee grief support group meets monthly
in the
Office Building.
Contact Kathleen Hansen, Bereavement Counselor,
414 266 3325.
Infant Death Center of Wisconsin
The Center
provides free counseling, support and information to families who have experienced the unexpected death of an infant due to SIDA, infections, accidents and congenital defects. Grief and loss, SIDS, children and grief, as well as other related issues are dealt with. A lending library is also available.
Contact Anne Harvieux, Program Administrator,
414 266 2800.
Columbia St. Mary's Hospitals /
Milwaukee & Ozaukee
Columbia Hospital
2025 East Newport Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53211
414 961 3350 St. Mary's Hospital
2323 North Lake Drive
Milwaukee WI 53211
414 291 1240
Hospitals web site: www.columbia-stmarys.com Contact Katherine Lange, 414 291 1240 for registration, information and exact dates. Contact Mary Jo Simms, 414 961 4050, for general grief issues; she does independent counseling.
The Grief Support Group, meeting at St. Mary's Hospital of Milwaukee, Hill Facility, 1st floor, Room 138, 2350 North Lake Drive, is a gathering of people who have recently experienced the death of a loved one. Some topics that will be discussed include the emotional stages of grief, self-care, and coping with special days and holidays. This group meets on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm. for six weeks. There are four six-week sessions throughout the year. Participants are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions.
Columbia / St. Mary's Ozaukee Hospital
13111 North Port Washington Road
Mequon WI 53097
Hospital web site: www.columbia-stmarys.com Contact Judy Droppers, Comprehensive Care, 262 243 7548.
The group meets from 6:30 - 8 pm. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the St. Mary’s Hospital Ozaukee Board Room. No registration is required, but feel free to call ahead.
Synergy Health
St. Joseph's Community Hospital
Bereavement Support Group
551 South Silverbrook Drive
West Bend WI 53095
Grief support group meets from 7-9 pm. on the first Thursday of the month. Contact the Coordinator,
262 334 8361.
Waukesha Memorial Hospital Contact Nancy, 262 928 2300, for information the Grief Support Group meeting in four eight-week sessions conducted by Stillwaters Cancer Support Services. Click here contact Stillwaters directly.
Bereavement Support Groups
Contact information for each hospital is listed below. Registration is required.
Elmbrook Memorial
19333 West North Avenue
Brookfield WI 53045 Contact Chaplain Barb Malueg, 262 785 2192.
Franciscan Woods
19525 West North Avenue
Brookfield WI 53045 Contact Chaplain Marge Hildebrand, 262 780 3830.
Marian Franciscan Center
9632 West Appleton Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53225 414 535 6770
St. Francis Hospital
3237 South 16th Street
Milwaukee WI 53215 Contact Josie Wisialowski, 414 647 5416. Spring, Fall and Winters sessions, as requested.
St. Joseph Hospital
5000 West Chambers Street
Milwaukee WI 53226 Contact Chaplain Dr. Josephine Otiotio, 414 447 2473.
RTS (Resolve Through Sharing) Support Group
Group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:30-9:30 pm in the Cafeteria Skylight Room. Facilitated by registered nurse and chaplain. For all who are coping with the loss of a baby through pregnancy or infant death (stillbirth, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy). 2008 Schedule (Speakers and Topics)
April 8, Marilyn Cannon-Miller on "What Happens To My Other Children While I Am Grieving?"
May 13, Jacquelyn Oliveira on "Touched By Angels"
June 10, Jacquelyn Oliveira on "Men and Grief"
July 8, Lisa Fields on "Pregnancy After Loss / How Do I Deal With Pregnant Women/Babies?"
August 12, Dr. John Schesta on "Coping With Anger & Anxiety After Loss. How Do I Fall Asleep While Grieving?"
September 9, Jeri Schuster on "Creating Memories"
October 14, Esther Davis on "Fear of Forgetting"
November 11, Nancy Reitman on "Handling The Holidays"
December 9, Kathy Elertson on "Different Ways Of Grieving"
Call RTS Office, 414 447 2473.
RTS Silent Hopes Spring Memorial Service
Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Chapel in South Tower at St. Joseph Hospital
Call Spiritual Services for further information, 414 447 2473.
The Compassionate Friends
This group is a mutual assistance, self-help organization offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents and siblings. The primary purpose is to assist them in the positive resolution of the grief experienced upon the death of a child.
For nearly two decades, The Compassionate Friends chapters in the Milwaukee area have helped thousands of bereaved parents in their efforts to achieve physical and emotional health.
There are local four chapters of The Compassionate Friends — ~ Milwaukee County Chapter / Oak Creek Contact leaders: Rosemary Albrecht, 414 764 5668, or Connie Kriefall, 414 764 9371.
Chapter meetings are at 115 East Fitzsimmons Road, Oak Creek WI 53154.
Support meetings are held at 6:30 pm. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 South Howell Avenue in Oak Creek.
~ Ozaukee County Chapter
Contact Carol, 262 377 5521, Fran or Roger Bentz, 262 377 0782 or Sandy Tesch, 262 376 7781.
Meetings are at 7 pm. on the 3rd Thursday of the month at St. Mary’s Health Center, 6515 Pioneer Road, Cedarburg.
~ Waukesha County Chapter
Contact co-leaders: Karen Staker, W295 S7760 High Cross Drive, Mukwonago WI 53149, 262 363 3091 or
Jan Gehr, 1105 Ellis, Waukesha WI 53186,
262 547 2997.
Meetings are at 7:30 pm. on the 4th Monday of the month at the Salem United Methodist Church, 541 Highway 59, Waukesha.
RTS Bereavement Program
(formerly known as Resolve Through Sharing)
The group offers support after miscarrying, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn deaths through various hospitals in southeastern Wisconsin.
Contact the individual hospital nearest you. ~ All Saints / St. Luke Hospitals, Racine, 262 687 2154
~ Aurora Health Center, Slinger, 262 670 7253
~ Children’s Hospital, Milwaukee, 414 266 2743
~ Kenosha Hospital, Kenosha, 262 656 2743
~ Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, 262 569 9400
~ St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, 920 926 4843
~ St. Joseph Hospital, Milwaukee, 414 447 2473
(see extensive listing in Hospital section above under Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare)
~ St. Mary Hospital, Milwaukee, 414 291 1000, ext 3482
~ Watertown Memorial Hospital, Watertown, 920 261 4210
~ Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha, 262 544 2595 or 262 544 2974
~ West Allis Memorial Hospital, West Allis, 414 329 5908
TLC (Tender Loving Care) Contact Kristi Berry, 262 797 9271.
Support after loss of a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death, death in infancy or early childhood. Meetings are held from 7-9:30 pm. on the 3rd Monday of the month at Elmbrook Church, 777 South Barker Road, Brookfield WI 53045 (Christian-based and non-denominational).
Kenosha
Margaret Ann’s Place
A Center for Grieving Children, Teens and Families
7527 - 10th Avenue
Kenosha WI 53143
262 656 9656
Suicide Grief Support Group
Contact Barb Miller, 262 694 5744, for information, although it is not necessary to pre-register. The group meets at 7 pm. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the First Christian Church, located one-half mile west of I-94 on Hwy C in Kenosha.
Milwaukee
Kyle's Korner
now has one location in Wauwatosa. Scroll down.
My Good Mourning Place
4005 West Oklahoma Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53219
Contact Sr. Connie Taylor, 414 643 5678.
A bereavement center, housed at the former convent near Blessed Sacrament Church campus, established to reach out to children from ages 3 to 19 and their families who have been touched by death, providing a caring place for them to cry and helping them gain the necessary tools to deal with loss.
Survivors Helping Survivors
Church of Good Hope
8700 West Good Hope Road
Milwaukee WI 53224
414 353 5555
This suicide support group meets from 7-9 pm. on the first Thursday of the month.
Contact the Mental Health Association, 414 276 3122.
Milwaukee County
First Call for Help
Counseling
414 547 3388
Mental Health Association of Milwaukee County
Yes Life Group
414 276 3122
Newburg
Fr. Guy Gurath
Holy Trinity Parish
P. O. Box 16
Newburg WI 53060
262 675 6256
Fr. Gurath has been involved in Grief Ministry since 1988 while also serving in various parish ministries in the Archdiocese. His CDs and tapes are available through Seaworthy Publications. Contact Father for complimentary materials.
Racine
Joyful Again
St. Michael Episcopal Church
132 Morningwood Road
Racine WI 53402
Contact Joan Spinks at 262 681 1008 about this two-day widowed retreat.
Grief Share
Racine Assembly of God
1325 Airline Road
Racine WI 53406
262 886 5644
Grief Support Group
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
725 High Street
Racine WI 53402 Contact Pastor James Peters at 262 633 4949. He conducts this open support group on Mondays from 2-4 pm.
Waukesha
Hope, Healing & Growth
Stillwaters Center
434 Madison Street
Waukesha WI 53188
Web site: www.stillwaterscenter.org
Contact Dani Sutliff at Stillwaters, 262 548 9148 or inbox@stillwaterscenter.org.
An adult support group for those who have lost a loved one to cancer.
These eight-week sessions are scheduled four times through the calendar year. Call to inquire about the start of the next session.
Waukesha County
Loss of A Loved One
No set location.
Contact Kathy Bruning, 262 524 9965 or starlab@execpc.com. She conducts support groups two to three times a year. She sets locations, dates and times.
Wauwatosa
Kyle's Korner
7106 West North Avenue
Wauwatosa WI 53213
E-mail: mary@kyleskorner.org
Web site: www.kyleskorner.org Contact Mary Montiero, 414 777 1583 or by above email.
A center for children, teens and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one. The efforts of trained volunteers and qualified professionals are combined to provide group interventions, at no charge, for bereaved young people and their adult caregivers. Six different groups meet from 6-7:30 pm. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on alternate weeks, but call ahead to verify. Two evening groups center on specific needs: Death by Suicide and Teen Grief; there is one daytime group (Wednesdays from 12 Noon-1:30 pm.) for a specific need: Young Widows & Widowers.
Support for the Grieving
PARISHES 
