Over 40 years ago, our founder, Father Medard Laz, recognized that our time as ministers is limited. He sought to develop a program where individuals who had suffered the loss of a spouse could help others on similar journeys. Joyful Again! was designed as a peer ministry program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Ecumenical<\/p>\n<\/div>
Joyful Again! is here for your family of believers. Joyful Again! is here to assist widows, widowers, and ministers, not to take the place of existing bereavement groups.<\/p>\n
Many people come to Joyful Again! who participate in other grief support or bereavement groups. It acknowledges that the death and the loss of a spouse does not wear a particular label. So, while it is a spiritually-grounded program, it embraces attendees from all faiths, denominations and persuasions.<\/p>\n
The program is designed for a weekend, but if you choose to Start Your Own Chapter, the format can be varied to meet your needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>
New life for the widowed<\/p>\n<\/div>
In Luke, Chapter 7, we see Jesus who is moved to great compassion for the widow of Naim. Jesus comforts her as she weeps. Jesus then says to the body of her dead son, \u201cI say to you arise!\u201d<\/p>\n
We cannot work the same miracle Jesus did for the widow\u2019s son. But through Joyful Again! we can breathe new life into our widows & widowers today.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Advertising Joyful Again! weekends<\/p>\n<\/div>
Joyful Again! has developed a small ad you can use in your church\u2019s or organization\u2019s website, bulletin or other communications. A jpg is provided<\/a>. We have also put the key details in a word document to help you spread the word. Our calendar is continually updated and we offer several weekends each year. Some offer overnight accommodations, others are for commuters.<\/p>\n Call us (708) 354-7211 or email us if you would like us to consider adding your location to our program in the future.<\/p>\n<\/div> Encourage and support<\/p>\n<\/div> If you feel your parent or widowed friend could use more support they may benefit from a Joyful Again! weekend. We recommend they wait until they have been widowed at least 4-6 months.<\/p>\n You might let them know you\u2019ve come across the program, and:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n