The Dublin Bereavement Support Service (DBSS) was launched by Clontarf Parish. Comprising of a team of trained bereavement counsellors who are volunteering their time and expertise, the service will initially operate via Zoom until such time as it can safely transition to a person-to-person counselling service.

The new DBSS was born out of conversations between the Rector, Rev. Lesley Robinson, and parishioners Jim Kieran and Dr. Tony Walsh, both of whom are experienced bereavement counsellors, focussing on the impact that the pandemic and all the associated restrictions have had on the experience of loss and grief. Not only have many families lost a loved one to Covid-19, most of whom could not be with the dying person in their final days and hours, but everyone who has been bereaved over the course of the last year has been denied many of the supports and rituals which are usually such an important part of the grieving process. All of this is so counter-intuitive and counter cultural in a society like ours which normally puts such emphasis on the rituals around death and bereavement and will no doubt lead to a lot of unprocessed grief around the loss of loved ones. Jim used his network to bring on board a number of trained and experienced counsellors who agreed to be a part of this new venture, and the seed which had been sown began to sprout.

Although the DBSS is run under the auspices of Clontarf Church of Ireland parish, and is rooted in the Christian calling to show love and compassion to all, the service will be offered in an impartial, non-judgemental way which will not seek to impose religious beliefs on others and will acknowledge that people’s experiences of grief may differ, but all are equally valid.

The support service is offered free of charge although donations can be given if desired. Prospective clients can contact the volunteer counsellors directly by accessing the contact details on the DBSS website.

We hope you will avail of this service, and please pass on the information to those who many need it.

Taken from the press release announcing the Dublin Bereavement Support Service

Reverend Canon William Stanley Baird

Warden: Church’s Ministry of Healing Ireland 1971-1979.

Died on June 12th, 2021

Reverend Canon Daniel Nuzum Chairman and the Board of Directors of CMH:Ireland would like to express their sadness on hearing of Stanley’s death and extend their deepest sympathy to Helen and family.

Canon Stanley Baird was appointed Warden of the Church’s Ministry of Ireland in 1971 and had deep commitment to Christ’s Healing Ministry and had significant experience in his ministry across the island of Ireland. Stanley developed an excellent relationship with members of the medical profession and was very involved in hospital ministry. He was respected for his sensitive and   pastoral style and was invited to speak at conferences in many countries.

Stanley retired as Warden in 1979 and was appointed Rector of Drumcondra and North Strand and later in Swords. He continued to hold Healing services in these parishes until his retirement.

We give thanks for Stanley’s ministry and his commitment to the ministry of healing and pray that he rests in the love and peace of Christ.

I invite you to pray with Resurrection stories that the Gospel writers tell us about.
Praying with the Resurrection helps us to see its reality in our own lives.

Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably. Put your feet firmly on the ground, with your back straight.
Know that God is with you.

Allow silence and God’s presence within it to sip into your soul.

In one of the accounts John tells us,

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you’. When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’.” (John 20: 19-23)

Read the passage again.
Take 10-15 minutes and pray with it.

What word(s) stand out for you?

If it helps you, be free to close your eyes and imagine yourself in the scene.
Where are you when Jesus walks through a closed door?
How do you feel?

Engage with Jesus. Tell Him how you are.
Listen to what He tells us.

Stay with Jesus for as long as you would like.

When you are ready, finish this time of prayer with the Lord’s prayer.
If the prayer spoke to you, you can repeat it at another time, or choose a different Scripture to pray with.

Easter blessings.

© Dr. Iva Beranek