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The Upper Room Crisis Hotline

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Upper Room     The Upper Room Crisis Hotline   Our Mission Statement     The Upper Room Crisis Hotline is motivated by the mercy and compassion of Jesus the Upper Room Crisis Hotline provides a non-   judgmental listening and referral hotline to anyone in spiritual need including clergy, Religious and lay   people of all faiths.     Our Vision Statement   Inspired by the spirit alive in The Upper Room, we bring comfort and hope to those in spiritual need.  

Good Grief Supper Club Meeting - Book and Bean Cafe

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                                                                                              Monday, October 11, 2021 Book and Bean Café   815-725-8859   Time: 10 a.m.   Place: Joliet West Library    Located at: Black Road and Timberline   Why: Planning meeting for our new JFD support group.     Agenda:  Welcome  - Joliet Fire Department Support Group Date for our first  official  meeting and place.   Christmas Outing – bus trip into Chicago   Closing Light beyond the darkness begins with healing the soul.

Homily by Cardinal Blase Cupich – Mass of Christian Burial for Officer Ella Grace FrenchAugust 19, 2021 – St. Rita Shrine Chapel

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This is not to end in death... We know, Elizabeth and your family, that anything we say to console you at the loss of Ella falls so woefully short. We are only beginning to know Ella as you have known her over a lifetime: a woman of empathy for the sufferings of others, humble enough to know she could always improve, and generous to the point of dedicating her life to making a difference in our world. So, let our presence, the tears in our eyes, the sadness on our faces, our voices cracking with emotion and the somber solemnity of these rites through which the city embraces you, be a source of some comfort in this moment of unspeakable pain. And to you, members of law enforcement here in Chicago and beyond, we stand with you as you grieve the loss of Officer French and we pray with you for the recovery and healing of Officer Carlos Yanez. We can only imagine how the tragic death of another colleague in the line of duty impacts you as you take up the daunting challenge of providing secu

When you grieve the loss of a loved one.

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When You Grieve the Loss of a Loved One There are times in our journey, when we need to say goodbye to fellow pilgrims who have been with us along the way.  We know not how long we will be with our companions, yet we are grateful for being able to travel with them.  But how do we deal with this great grief of separation?  In this part of our journey, how do we carry on? When my grandfather died, the first question that crossed my mind was, “Shall we ever, as a family, be able to smile again? He was a very kind man, a sweet and loving man who also happened to be a retired Captain of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a proud veteran of the USAFFE in World War II. I loved him – very much, and regarded him as my very own father. He used to carry me up his shoulders when I was but a little girl. I never saw him mad. He was always calm and gentle, but with that certain kind of strength in him that never needed to be boasted about anymore. Maybe this kind of admiration was the source of my

Coping with Grief and Loss

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  Whatever type of loss you’ve suffered, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. But by understanding the stages and types of grief, you can find healthier ways to cope. What is grief? Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be. Coping with the loss of someone or something you love is one of life’s biggest challenges. You may associate grieving with  the death of a loved one —which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief—but any loss can cause grief, including: Divorce or relationship breakup Loss of