AUGUST 2025 NEWSLETTER
- Robert van Mourik
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
GREETINGS
Dealing with grief after loss of a loved one
We were fortunate to have a paper, Spiritual Development after Grief, prepared by Kath Brownlow, one of our community, a woman who had been widowed with four young children and subsequently worked as a grief counsellor.
Participants shared their personal experience of loss, which led to significant changes in their lives. The group discussed the depth of grief associated with loss and the role of faith, prayer and meditation in easing the burden. It was noted that the closeness of the relationship bore heavily on the intensity of grief. Many participants found that they had no other option than to get on with life, including work and raising children.
Participants discussed the importance of support from friends and family during times of grief, emphasizing the need for sensitivity, patience, and acceptance. They highlighted the importance of physical presence, allowing individuals to express their emotions, and helping them face the reality of their loss at their own pace. It was considered crucial to provide support without judgment. It was observed that anger can be a part of the grieving process and can eventually lead to acceptance.
PARTICIPATION IN ST LUCIA SPIRITUALITY
We invite you to to share your experiences with our community. For example, you can share your ideas, books you are reading and questions you are asking by writing to us. You can also offer your comments on our Facebook page and engage in discussions. This is an important supplement to the information available on our website.
We invite you to get involved, have your say! Others may benefit from your experience.
JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT BUTTERFLY SERIES EVENT
Who am I to Judge?
Our society tends to organise around “in groups”, usually the majority, and “out groups”, usually the minority, and different from the cultural norm. Some examples of “out groups” are people with disabilities, remote living indigenous, the gender diverse, immigrants and the homeless. How does our spirituality inform us about inclusion and exclusion?
NEW ON OUR WEBSITE
We can list your neighbourhood group so that others can find you or be aware of you. If you would like to join the others listed here, please contact us! We are also aware of new groups forming.
Feature articles:
We commend these articles to you:
Why are Australian Institutions so silent regarding the Gaza genocide? by Kevin Liston
Is Christianity in Crisis or Transition? by Ilia Delio
Book reviews:
Ecological Spirituality by Diarmuid O’Murchu
Is Your God Big Enough, Close Enough, You Enough? by Paul R Smith
Podcasts:
Look out for our Kindred Spirits & Podcasts as we find inspiration from others. In particular, we draw your attention to “On the Way” a series of recorded conversations exploring the deeper mysteries of faith, meaning, and beauty. The podcast invites others who are also “on the way” into conversation; seeking a transformative spirituality and inclusive faith that speaks to real issues of today.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
Do you realise that our website has a very good search function? Enter key words into the search box in the menu bar and find articles and information stored in our archives. As we add new material this function will become increasingly useful.
Since we launched our new website and new format newsletter in July last year, our discussion papers have attracted widespread attention. Our website also includes discussion papers from meetings before then that haven't been noticed as much as they deserve. For example, this paper on Detachment is noteworthy.
Albert Einstein wrote: "I am happy because I want nothing from anyone. I do not care about money. Decorations, titles, or distinctions mean nothing to me. I do not crave praise. I claim credit for nothing. A happy man is too satisfied with the present to dwell too much on the future."
Sounds like detachment!
PLEASE SAVE OUR EMAIL
Please note our email, stluciaspirituality@gmail.com, and save it in your safe senders list.
We welcome your feedback and invite you to share this with your friends.
Comments