catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 22, November, 2020 BRIDGET SAKR, whose 11-year-old daughter Ve- ronique was killed by a drunk driver earlier this year, has launched a weekly prayer gathering for families experi- encing grief. Last month the driver, Samuel William Davidson, 30, pleaded guilty to the man- slaughter of Veronique and her cousins Sienna, 8, Angeli- na, 12, and Antony, 13, at Oat- lands on 1 February. Bridget said she wanted to offer something for the many families who experience trag- edy but are not blessed with the “amazing support” that she continues to receive. Addressing a gap in the ser- vices of grief counsellors and psychologists, Bridget decid- ed to offer a place online for people to come together in prayer and bring their loss, trauma and grief to God in a supportive and safe environ- ment. “I wanted to create some- thing that would honour Veronique through helping people in their grief and suf- fering,” she told The Catholic Weekly. “My faith is what keeps car- rying me through this, it is my faith that gets me out of bed and tells me that I’m going to see my daughter because there is eternal life,” she said. “And what also continues to uphold me through each day is the love and support of so many people.” Last month Bridget launched heartFELT (which stands for Families Experienc- ing Loss and Trauma) with support from the Grief Care team at Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria. A weekly online prayer gathering, heartFELT in- cludes time for meditation on a theme, discussion, and prayers led by Bridget. There is also additional pastoral support available ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Aid for grieving from members of the Grief Care team. “It’s a place where we can get together, there’s no judge- Bridget Sakr with her children Michael and Veronique. Bridget is honouring Veronique’s memory with a new online resource for families experiencing grief. ment, only compassion,” Bridget said. “It doesn’t have to be the loss of a person, it could be any form of grief or sadness that people want to bring in and pray with a community. “People can free safe to ex- press their grief and struggles, knowing there is pastoral sup- port online if they really need it.” “It’s not just for Catholics but we do honour our Catho- lic traditions, such as Lectio Divina and prayers like the Rosary. “For non-Catholics who join us we explain what those traditions are. “I want this to be an amaz- ing platform that will bring people together to heal their pain through prayer and com- munity.” Launched on 12 October, the one-hour zoom sessions run each Monday night AEST from 7.30pm. For details, ema il Bridget.
[email protected] or team@ griefcare.com.au I n this edition 14 ANATOMY OF A WRECK: THE MCCARRICK REPORT EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 David Ryan (02) 9390 5408 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5160. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or
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