At the service of the Catholic Church
“Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.
— Earl A. Grollman
Want to know more about Red Bird Ministries?
Attention leaders! Discover the impact of Red Bird Ministries in your community. Listen to our free informational webinar to learn about the vital need for RBM and the programs available to support families dealing with the loss of a child and families impacted by suicide.
Bring Red Bird Ministries to Your Diocese + Parish
Red Bird Ministries has received approval from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and is listed in the Official Catholic Directory.
CURIA EPISCOLALIS DIOCESE LAFAYETTENSIS
We are most grateful to Red Bird Ministries homebase the Diocese of Lafayette for their support.
Most Reverend Bishop Douglas Deshotel
Bishop of the Diocese of LafayetteKelley Chapman - Diocese of Lafayette
Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Family LifeMaureen K. Fontenot, Chancellor of the Diocese of
Lafayette
Red Bird Ministries is working across the nation to bring Red Bird Ministries to the 32 territorial archdioceses and 144 territorial dioceses with your help.
We were so excited to learn that the USCCB has released the new document that was voted on by the bishops this summer “Called to the Joy of Love: National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life Ministry.” This document lays out a support framework for accompaniment and in Pillar III, 3.3.3 states Accompanying couples who have lost a family member, especially a child. We are so grateful that the Church sees families who are hurting and has created a framework for ministers to respond.
5 Reasons Your Parish Should Have a Bereavement Ministry
-
![]()
1. Jesus told us to comfort those who mourn.
Jesus says in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” There are mourners in your parish. Will you comfort them?
-
![]()
2. It applies to everyone at some point.
That is why a ministry for those who are grieving is such a good thing. Other than birth and taxes, grief is the only thing guaranteed to affect every parishioner at some point.
-
![]()
3. It’s what people are looking for.
Funerals pull lapsed Catholics back into Church, sometimes for the first time in decades. All of these are very good reasons to be prepared to minister to the grieving.
-
![]()
4. It's Easy With Red Bird.
We’re in the midst of a small-group renaissance. Most likely, you can also contact your parish office. If you are willing to put in the work to lead a small group, the pastor and his council should be happy to help you succeed.
-
![]()
5. The return on investment is high.
When your parish supports someone in a time of grief, it doesn’t just affect that person. All of their family and friends learn that they were able to turn to the Catholic Church during a painful time. That plants a seed for the future.
New!!
Get a pack of our new tri-fold brochures to place inside your church parish, adoration chapel, confessional, or cemetery office.
Preview Our Programs
Red Bird Ministries provides local churches with the tools and resources to help families understand grief, how to navigate through it, and take practical measures to begin the healing process. Red Bird’s programs are Catholic because of the critical role the Church’s Sacraments play in the healing process.
We would love to send you a FREE digital review pack by filling out our Insight Survey click below.
Red Bird Ministries provides:
Parish Training & Program Implementation
In-person or virtual grief support group settings
Leader Manuals
Why we call ourselves a Catholic Ministry?
Because having authentically Catholic resources for the Church is necessary. Red Bird Ministries' grief ministry is listed in the Kennedy Directory, approved by the USCCB, under the obedience of our local bishop, and remains in line with the magisterium of the Church. Supporting families of loss, and doing authentic Pro-life work should always lead our families toward virtue for holistic healing.
