Chapter 11

Suppression Notice

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Loss of a Loved One

General Resources

Book cover of "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis features a tree with bare branches against a two-toned background of orange and blue, with scattered leaves in orange, blue, and white.

A Grief Observed

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A book cover with a large green leaf on an orange gradient background. Text reads "Seasons of Hope: Finding Comfort in Your Grief, A Catholic Approach for Small Groups and Individuals" by M. Donna MacLeod.

Seasons of Hope

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Grieving: A Spiritual Process for Catholics

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Grieving: A Spiritual Process for Catholics

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Recommended Books

Book cover of "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis features a tree with bare branches against a two-toned background of orange and blue, with scattered leaves in orange, blue, and white.

A Grief Observed
A book cover with a large green leaf on an orange gradient background. Text reads "Seasons of Hope: Finding Comfort in Your Grief, A Catholic Approach for Small Groups and Individuals" by M. Donna MacLeod.

Seasons of Hope

Grieving: A Spiritual Process for Catholics

Praying Our Goodbyes

Loss of a Spouse

Beginning Experience Weekend

This weekend program is intended for those suffering the loss of a love relationship as widowed, divorced or separated, who are ready to come to terms with that loss and move forward with their lives.

  • Helps grieving persons focus on their experience and emerge from the darkness of grief into the light of a new beginning.
  • Offers an opportunity, through God, for turning the pain of loss into a basis for positive growth.
  • Founded by a Catholic nun and rooted in the Christian tradition, the ministry’s open, inclusive spirit serves those of all faiths.

Curious as to why this program ministers to both widowed and divorced/separated populations? Learn more here.

Upcoming retreat date(s): 
– May 8-10, 2026

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Catholic Widows & Widowers of North County (CWWNC)

We are a non-profit social group of friendly Catholic ladies and gentlemen. Every month, our members enjoy happy hours, dinners, hikes and lively conversation, and we invite you to join us!

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Loss of a Child

The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents

The mission of The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents is  based in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition of “All are Welcome.  Their mission is to serve the spiritual needs of grieving parents whose children of any age have died by any cause; and help interested parents, as well as Clergy, Religious, Diocesan Staff, and/or Spiritual Directors bring this ministry to their own parishes or regions.

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Red Bird Ministries

Red Bird was founded on helping parents address the profound healing that needs to happen while also honoring the memory of the child. Our unique value is in the attention given to protect the individual, the marriage, and other relationships from a spectrum of issues that can compound and lead to dysfunction.

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Grief Support Guide

The Grief Support Guide provides nonprofit resources here in San Diego and nationally to help families experiencing the loss of a baby. It was developed as a collaboration between the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency Maternal, Child, an Family Health Services (MCFHS) Branch with the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program Community Action Team – Health Messages Taskforce.

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Recommended Books

Book cover with the title "The Death of a Child: Reflections for Grieving Parents" over a field of purple and green flowers. Author's name, Elaine Stillwell, appears at the bottom.
A person sits by a window, looking outside, with light streaming in. Text on the image reads: "Hiding in the Upper Room" by Kelly Breaux.
Book cover showing a lighthouse on a rocky cliff surrounded by swirling blue and purple waves. The title "The Grief of Dads" is at the top, with authors Patrick O'Hearn and Bryan Feger listed below.

Loss from Suicide

Suicide awareness is a growing initiative in our culture and our Church. Suicide prevention and offering comfort to those grieving a loss from suicide can be difficult to navigate.

Please see our Suicide Awareness page for more information on grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide.

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Support Groups around the Diocese

For a current list of parish grief support programs around the diocese, please contact Janelle at jperegoy@sdcatholic.org

Contact Information

Staff

  • Director: John Prust
  • Associate Director: Janelle Peregoy
  • Associate Director: Wendy Baez
  • Administrative Assistant: Angie Rosario

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About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms combines the Diocese of San Diego’s coat of arms on the left side, and his on the right. On his, a red boat on a blue ocean sits on diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic communities.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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