Support Groups

There are several groups offering support to parishioners and members of the community. For more information on these groups, please call the parish office at 952-758-3225.

GRIEFSHARE-Grief Support for adults
Help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. GriefShare is a weekly program featuring grief recovery topics. Each week has a short video session topic, including facilitated small group discussion. This allows group participants to talk about the content of the video and about how they are dealing with the death of their loved one. GriefShare is a revolving 13-week program that can be started at any time. There is a one-time $20 charge for the workbook. If the cost of the program is a burden, please let us know. 

When: Mondays, 6:00- 7:30 pm, January 22 - April 14
Held at the St. Wenceslaus Church basement

For more information or to register, call MaryCarol at St. Wenceslaus Church at 952-758-3225 or email [email protected] Welcome to anyone in the greater New Prague area.

SHIFT-Grief Support for Kids and Teens
SHIFT is a 13-week program for children in grades K-12. Age-appropriate lessons and activities will help them explore their grief, and God's promises regarding comfort, healing, hope, and eternity. Shift's facilitators have experienced a personal loss and know grief. There is a one-time $10 charge for the workbook. If the cost of the program is a burden, please let us know. 

When: Mondays, 6:00- 7:30 pm, January 22 - April 14
Held at the St. Wenceslaus Church basement

For more information or to register, call MaryCarol at St. Wenceslaus Church at 952-758-3225 or email [email protected] Welcome to anyone in the greater New Prague area.

Suicide Support Group
Family, friends, and anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Suicide Grief Support Group. The Support Group meetings are held both in-person and via Zoom. The in-person meetings are held at the Duck Cup Memorial. Fund building at 105 Central Avenue South in New Prague. The meeting time is 7:00-8:30 pm. Please contact Tom Handrich at 952-445-0107 (h) or 952-913-3994 (c) for additional information and a Zoom link.
 
Healing Hearts Grief Support
This is a ministry of trained volunteers who do home visits and telephone follow-ups with people grieving the loss of a loved one. People who enjoy making homemade greeting cards are also invited to take part in this ministry.
 
BeFrienders
BeFrienders is a ministry of listening with a compassionate presence provided by specially trained lay volunteers who bring with them the caring presence of God and the community.  Needs include those of the sick, homebound, elderly, depressed, lonely, and those grieving a loss through death, unemployment, separation, or divorce.  Membership is open to those men and women who prayerfully consider the call of pastoral care and who have completed the training and are commissioned BeFrienders Ministers.
 
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This group of non-denominational knitters and crocheters gather in homes or work at home.  This ministry provides handmade prayer shawls for people in need of comfort. Donations of yarn are welcome.
 
Prayer Chain
The telephone/email prayer line is a group of parishioners who pray for the needs of others as requested.  Notification of prayer requests can be done by phone or email, whichever you prefer. In the Western Catholic Community, contact Carol Bauer at 952-457-4057, Noreen Giesen at 952-758-2608, or Marlene Dohmen at 952-492-6879.  At St. Wenceslaus, contact Judy Siemon at 952-758-2220