2025 EMMAUS MINISTRY
VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM
MONTHLY MIDWEEK GATHERING RETREATS
For any grieving parent of any religion, whose child of any age
has died by any cause, no matter how long ago
8:00pm-9:00pm ET via Zoom
As a grieving parent, give yourself the gift of
getting away from everyday life for an hour
to focus on your spiritual journey after the death of your precious child.
These Midweek Gathering Retreats via Zoom feature a talk
given by an Emmaus Ministry Spiritual Leader or a Parent Witness
focused on the spirituality of the grieving process for parents.
A discussion by parents interested in
sharing their reactions will follow the reflection.
Please note that you will not be required to turn on your video or audio,
to introduce yourself, tell your story, or share anything at all.
Many parents participate by listening. That being said, you will have the
opportunity to interact with others, if you wish.
REGISTER TODAY TO ENSURE YOUR PLACE
AND RECEIVE YOUR ZOOM LINK
2025 MONTHLY MIDWEEK GATHERING RETREATS
COMING UP…
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
7pm-8pm ET (Note new time)
Sponsored by EMFGP Arizona
Register today to receive your Zoom link
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PAST MIDWEEK GATHERINGS
VIEW THE RECORDINGS (when available)
Marianne Gouveia, Eric’s Mother
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025
8pm-9pm ET
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
Hear Marianne’s talk about her spiritual journey after the
death of her beautiful son, Eric. See how she used her grief for good.
Gerri Cortese, Jeffrey’s Mother
March 19, 2025
8pm-9pm ET
Hear Gerri talk about her journey after years of caring for her son,
who had a very difficult and debilitating disease, followed by his death.
Sponsored by the EMFGP Central
Hear Gerri’s story here.
Ellen Castellano, Mother of Joe
FEBRUARY 19, 2025
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
Ellen is a grieving mother who shared her spiritual journey
after the sudden death of her beautiful son, Joe, five years ago.
Hear Ellen’s story here. (coming soon)
Mary Permoda, Christopher’s Mother
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024
SPONSORED BY EMFGP ARIZONA
Mary Permoda is a grieving mother who
holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology,
a master’s degree in theology,
as well as certification in spiritual direction.
Currently, she is the Director of the Diocese of Phoenix
Office of Mental Health Ministry.
Hear Mary’s moving story here (coming soon).
Anita Bubony
Mother of Rudy, Augustinos, Elena, Catalina, and
Mary Rose and Elizabeth Leia, and Lucia-Francisco
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
After experiencing the loss of her twin daughters in 2020
and a miscarriage in 2021,
Anita has found ways to bring purpose to her pain.
HEAR ANITA’S STORY HERE
Blanca Fuentes-Razo, Immanuel (Immy)’s Mother
AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
A devastating prognosis when she was three months pregnant
together with Blanca Fuentes-Razo on a very difficult spiritual journey
preparing for the eventual loss of her beautiful infant son, Immy.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston
Hear Blanca’s story here.
LeAnn Hull, Andy’s Mother
INTENTIONAL HEALING
Hear LeAnn’s story of trauma and survival
after the tragic death of her son…
resulting in a place of hope and healing.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Sponsored by EMFGP Arizona
8:00pm-9:00pm EST
Peggy Hassett, Certified Spiritual Director and Eileen’s Sister
FORGIVENESS
FINDING GOD AGAIN AFTER THE MURDER OF MY SISTER
Wednesday. August 21, 2024
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston
Hear Peggy tell how she found God’s outstretched hand
in the depths of her depression after the horrific death
of her best friend, her sister, Eileen.
Liz Wallinger, Amanda’s Mother
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston
Hear Liz Wallinger talk about how
she found hope during her spiritual journey
after the tragic death of her only child, Amanda.
John and Barbara Barry, Michael’s Parents
Wednesday. April 17, 2024
Sponsored by the
Archdiocese of Washington, DC
8:00pm-9:00pm EDT
Hear John and Barbara talk about their spiritual journey
after the passing of their precious son, Michael.
Connie Wiggins
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
7:00pm-8:00pm DST (4pm-5pm MT)
Sponsored by EMFGP Arizona
Connie Wiggins shared her
spiritual journey–and her special connection to Mary– after
the passing of her precious Eric.
Hear her story here. (to come)
Lorraine Armstrong and Henry Goitz
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston
Lorraine and Henry talk about their spiritual journey
after the sudden and unexpected
loss of their precious daughter, Katerina
Hear their story here.
Kathy Watkins, Katherine’s Mother
Wednesday, December 13 , 2023
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston, MA
“I survive by using my pain for a purpose.
I am taking my grief and using it to do God’s work.
Don’t waste your pain!”
Hear about Kathy’s journey here.
Tony Castellano, Joe’s Dad|
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
8pm-9pm ET
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
“I entrusted him to the Lord when he was born.
Now I have to trust in the Lord that he is ok after death.”
Joe’s sudden, tragic death in an accident took Tony on a
spiritual journey that continues today.
Hear Tony tell his story about giving his beautiful son to the Lord.
Ann Arra, Michael’s Mother
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston, MA
“After Michael died, all of our lives changed, but they did not end.”
Hear how Ann’s faith in Christ helped her and her family
navigate through those horrific days after the
death of her precious son.
View Anne’s testimony here.
Deb Lewis, Casey’s Mother
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston, MA
Deb Lewis, Casey’s Mother
Hear Deb’s very moving Parent Witness and
her spiritual journey of faith
after the tragic, unexpected death of
her precious son, Casey in 2007.
(video to come)
Rosa Martinez, Sebastian’s Mother
Fr. Page Polk, OFM, Spiritual Leader, EMFGP Arizona
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
5pm-6pm MST; 8pm-9pm EDT
Sponsored by EMFGP Arizona
Presented by Rosa Martinez, Sebastian’s Mother and Fr. Page Polk
CLICK HERE TO
Hear Rosa’s journey through faith after the
recent and tragic death of her son, Sebastian.
and
Hear Fr. Polk’s always comforting words for grieving parents.
Emily Ketring, Angel’s Mother
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston
“They Are Alive!”
presented by Emily Ketring, mother of Angel and author of
An Angel of the Beatitudes: Finding Faith After the Loss of a Child.
Hear Emily explain Catholic theology on suffering and death. Hear how she believes that our deceased children are connected to us now more than ever.
Hear Emily’s thought-provoking message here.
FEATURING
Carole Kilder, Ryan’s Mother
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Sponsored by the Diocese of Albany
Hear how Carole and her husband have learned how to use
the very sad loss to addiction of their beautiful son, Ryan, for good.
Fr. Bill Cosgrove
Pastor, St. Augustine Church, New City, NY
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York
Hear Fr. Bill’s message of hope for grieving parents (coming soon).
A beloved Emmaus Ministry Spiritual Leader for many years,
Fr. Bill’s words and perspectives have comforted many grieving parents for years.
Matthew Burg, Jacob’s Father
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Sponsored by EMFG Arizona
“I walked out of that retreat having nothing
to say to God to praying daily.”
Hear Matthew describe his circuitous spiritual journey
after the death of his precious son, Jacob.
Susan Lott, Jamis’ Mother
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston, MA
“Hope has kept me alive!”
Listen to Susan’s inspirational story
after the senseless and brutal murder of her son.
Maria Warner, Nicholas’ Mother
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
“Out of all of this will come great graces… (I don’t think so!) “
Listen to Maria’s thought-provoking Parent Witness.
Dr. Denise Compagnolo
- Fr. Page Polk
DECEMBER 14, 2022 Sponsored by EMFGP Arizona
Featuring Parent Witnesses,
Dr. Denise Campagnolo, Thomas’ Mother,
Greg Eckerman and Marianne Gouveia, Eric’s parents
and
Fr. Page Polk, EMFGP Arizona Spiritual Leader
“If you are angry with God… just tell him!”
Listen to this multi-faceted Midweek Reflection here.
Johnette Benkovic Williams, Simon’s Mother
EWTN’s Women of Grace Host and Grieving Parent
November 16, 2022 8pm-9pm ET
I heard Father God say to me,
“You were willing to labor to give him physical life.
Will you not labor now to give him spiritual life?”
Hear this mother’s story of her faith journey and testimony to her son.
Br. Luis Saldaña
Luis Saldaña November 9, 2022 in Español 8pm-9pm ET
Patrocinado por la Arquidiócesis de nueva York
Este Programa es en español
“Toda relación que hemos tenido con nuestros seres queridos
siempre permanecerá y nos dará fortaleza para seguir adelante.”
You can be comfortable and comforted by charla..
Ellen and Michael Walker, Parents of Michael
October 19, 2022 8pm-9pm ET
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York
As they grieved the physical loss of their beloved son, Michael and Ellen received many
spiritual gifts that helped them in their healing process.
View Ellen and Michael’s Moving Parent Witness Here
Elena and Patrick Kilner, Parent of John Paul
September 14, 2022 8pm-9pm ET
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
Patrick and Elena Kilner are parents to 8 children, ages ranging from 17 to 2. They lost their fifth child in 2013 when he was 15 months old to a genetic neuromuscular disorder. Pat and Elena have frequently shared the story of their time with their son, John Paul, as well as how it
strengthened their faith and family bonds.
View the Kilners’ Moving Parent Witness Here
Rita Morton, Chad’s Mother
Founder of Sacred Sorrows and Co-Founder of Magis Women
August 17, 2022 8pm-9pm MT
Sponsored by EMFGP Arizona
- IN. CHRIS ALAR, MIC
Superior General, Producer, Director of the Association of Marian Helpers.
Head of Marian Press, and author of many books,
including “After Suicide: There’s Hope for Them and for You”
July 13, 2022 8pm-9pm ET
Hear Fr. Chris’ comforting “Epiphany of Hope” message, focused on
the fact that because God is outside of time, it is possible–even now–
to help our children through prayer and good works.
View Fr. Chris Alar’s poignant reflection here.
