Seasons of Hope consists of a comprehensive guidebook for leaders and
four participant journals. The program offers twenty-four
scripture-based sessions for grievers, organized into four six-week
seasons, three times as many as other books or bereavement programs.
Each season is self-contained and non-sequential so that participants
may begin with any of the four seasons and parish leaders may schedule
the six-week seasons as fits the particular pastoral needs of each
individual parish.
The Guidebook leads bereavement ministers through all
the necessary steps of creating and sustaining small bereavement
groups. It also provides detailed scripts and helpful hints for each of
these twenty-four sessions. The four seasons follow the same pattern and
might be used consecutively in a parish, but are also designed to stand
alone. The Participant Journals--one for each season--are used in group
gatherings and for home-journaling. Each week offers a theme,
commentary, scripture citations for further reading and spiritual
exercises drawn from Catholic tradition. The sessions each follow the
same simple format and flow with a comforting blend of commentary,
scripture, prayer, simple group exercises, faith-sharing and Catholic
traditions. The Facilitator's Pack includes the Guidebook and one of
each of the Participant Journals.
