6 weeks of our new Season of Hope Good Grief Support Groups are starting September 15th with the choice of participation at 9 AM or 6:15 pm.  

The evening session is now at 6:15 pm due to feedback for participants.  

Open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one—whether recent or long ago—these six‑week, faith‑based groups offer comfort, support, and hope. Each gathering includes scripture, prayer, reflection, gentle sharing, and fellowship. If you’re carrying grief, we welcome you with compassion. Come—there’s a seat for you.

Tuesdays, Sept. 15–Nov. 3rd

(No group on Sept. 22nd or Oct. 13th)

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Because of the great success of our regular six‑week Good Grief support groups, we’re also adding more focused offerings this year:

  • Ambiguous Grief Education Session: Not all losses have a funeral — Date TBD

  • The Empty Chair: Surviving the Holidays in Our Grief — November TBD

  • Death by Suicide: Grief Education — TBD

  • Seasons of Hope: Good Grief Support Groups — December TBD

All sessions will require pre‑registration.

Fall 2026 Session signups are live!


Our Spring Good Grief program offers two session options:

Tuesdays, Sept. 15–Nov. 3 from 9:00-11:00 AM

or

Tuesdays, Sept. 15–Nov. 3 from 6:15*–8:15 PM. *note that the start time of the evening session was changed based on participant recommendation.

There will be no meeting on Sept. 22nd or Oct. 13th.

Participants register for one meeting time (morning or evening session). Each group is limited to 12 participants, with priority given to parishioners and their family members. Registration closes on Sept. 7th.

This new ministry is lead by:

Jayne Zemgulis, Grief Educator
goodgriefministry@stignatius-stmary.org

And supported by:

Ileana Hoeing, Director of Evangelization
evangelization@stignatius-stmary.org

Space in each session is limited to 12 participants, with priority given to parishioners and their immediate family members.

Learn more

  • The Good Grief Healing Ministry is excited to launch at the Parish Life Center for St. Ignatius and St. Mary Parishioners who are grieving the loss of a loved one—recent or long ago. These six-week, faith-based sessions offer comfort, compassion, support and hope through Seasons of Hope, a Christ-centered Catholic program.

  • Good Grief Support Groups are for you, if any of these statements are true:

    • You are looking for friends in Christ to share your journey of sorrow and pathway to healing.

    • You’ve been trying to

      figure out the meaning

      of your grief and stay

      "stuck"in the hurts and

      pain.

    • You experience and prefer isolating as you can't seem to get out of your own way with grief.

    • You find comfort in the teachings of Christ and in our fellowship at St. Ignatius/St. Mary Parishes.

  • This ministry is being led by Jayne Zemgulis. Jayne brings over 20 years of professional experience and nearly a decade of ministry as a hospital and hospice chaplain. Her call to serve deepened after significant family losses and led her to international mission work in Ethiopia and Sudan with the Salesians of Don Bosco. Her role, to be present to the terminally ill, dying and bereaved.  Recently certified in grief education, Jayne is passionate about helping others grieve well while growing closer to Christ.  Jayne lives in Dover with her husband Mark and spirited dog Bosco!  

  • Our Good Grief Support Groups use the Seasons of Hope Series by Ave Maria Press, a Christ-centered grief support program grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions, and practices of the Catholic Church, as a resource. The Series has four stand-alone, six-week seasons and journals that explore mourning through scripture, prayer, reflection and faith sharing. Our Good Grief Support Groups are a source of encouragement and care during an unwelcome season of life. Support groups will be offered four times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Each season will have its own enrollment.

    The Winter Season is currently open for enrollment.