Bethany Support Group in place

The Kilcullen Bethany Support Group has been established to help people in the parish to cope with bereavement.

The group provides regular support meetings in the Parish Centre on the first Tuesday of each month, from 8-9pm. Anybody who has suffered any type of loss is welcome to attend. They are completely confidential.

Last year, six people from Kilcullen took part in a training course in preparation for setting up the Bethany group. Among the most important elements of the course were the development of listening skills.

In today's world, people can often be unaware of the grief associated with bereavement. Grieving is a natural process, which can take a long time, and although it can be helped by the understanding and support from friends, this may not always be available.

Sometimes friends can feel embarrassed by not knowing how to help. They might even avoid meeting the bereaved in the mistaken belief that such meetings might cause distress.

Those affected can have feelings of anger, guilt, fear and depression as well as the pain of loss.

Talking with a member of the Bethany Group, whose members may themselves have suffered loss, can help the healing process.

The Kilcullen group will also provide home visits. The contact number is 086 2668288.

The name of the organisation recalls the visit of Jesus to Mary and Martha on the death of their brother Lazarus.

Brian Byrne.