“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:4

After the loss of your beloved child, it is hard to feel the truth in this scripture because the pain on this side of eternity is unbearable. Following the death of Vivienne, our second daughter, I found comfort in my return to the Catholic faith, yet I still felt a deep internal struggle.  I was so stuck on the loss and suffering in this life, that I couldn’t fully embrace the paschal mystery.  As the milestones of grief kept crashing against me, I couldn’t open my eyes to see and trust in the resurrection and the life of the world to come.

It was certainly by God’s hand after hearing strangers and friends speak of Red Bird this year, that the ministry founders should come rushing into my life.  Shortly before the bells were to ring at a crowded church service, they were seated in the pew before mine.  Only two days prior to this encounter was Vivienne’s due date, and I felt like a lost traveler and I was trapped in fog.  As soon as they sat before me I knew that Red Bird was where I was being led to. 

The spiritual fruits and resources the ministry offers, via support meetings, weekend retreats, and daily prayers, have allowed me to direct my eyes to the Lord.  I am able to trust in God’s will, even when I don’t understand it.  My faith has strengthened tremendously and I can look ahead to the resurrection, all while offering up this suffering as Jesus did on Mount Calvary.  The ministry has allowed me to no longer be a slave to the grief, but rather to gently cradle my cross as I share the gifts He has given me with others.  This ministry is invaluable to me as well as to the church.  Red Bird plays an instrumental role in healing, sharing grace with others, and evangelization as we prepare for the former things to pass away.

Kara Hebert