Compassionate Goodbyes

A Lenten Loss Program

Thursday, April 3, 2025

6:30pm-8:00pm

Cost: $35

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

Jesus embodies for us the pattern of life, death, and resurrection. Like Jesus, we are constantly saying hello and goodbye in our lives. During Lent, we join Jesus as he approaches death and so we can also have Jesus with us as we face our losses and death.

This program is an opportunity to focus on the variety of the painful goodbyes we experience. Grief meets us in the death of a loved one, loss of a relationship, unmet longing for a child, mourning of a career setback, unexpected health issue, or loss of a dream. These losses can make us feel like God abandoned us. We can start to wonder if there is something wrong with us. We want to provide an antidote to these two common pitfalls.

Join us for an evening of storytelling, reflection, and prayer to make space for the goodbyes in our lives. The goal of our night together is to encounter the tenderness of a loving God, extend compassion toward ourselves, and remember that we are never alone.

“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Facilitators

Amy Sytsma

Amy is an enthusiastic connector. Her passion is encouraging others in their pursuit of finding harmony between themselves, their relationships, and the Divine. She employs her background in communication, college student development, and young adult ministry. This experience informs how she creates gatherings where people can grow. Currently, she is a Doctoral student at the Claremont School of Theology, studying compassion-based spiritual renewal and spiritual direction. Moving through the disorienting losses in her life is breaking open a new way of being in relationship to God, herself, and others.

Kristen White

Kristen is deeply connected to the rhythms of life and the sacredness of goodbyes, both the ones we expect and those that come unexpectedly. With a heart full of empathy, she has always been drawn to walk alongside those navigating loss and grief, offering compassionate support and a listening ear. Her close relationship with Spirit guides her approach, allowing her to be a grounding presence for those in need. As a certified end-of-life doula through Going with Grace, gaining proficiency through the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance, and pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Aquinas College, Kristen ensures that every person she works with feels heard, respected, and accompanied through life’s transitions with grace and understanding.

Details

Financial Assistance

Scholarships are available.

We do not want the cost of our program to prohibit you from attending, so please reach out to us by calling 616-514-3325 or emailing us at programs@dominicancenter.com to learn about scholarship assistance or to make a payment plan.