Emmaus Retreat for Grieving Parents
Of all the pains that life can hand us, arguably the most searing is the loss of a child. During this weekend, just as Jesus joined his distraught disciples on the road to Emmaus, we pray for all of our parents and we ask Jesus to join us as we walk the horrendous journey of grieving our loss every day. EMMAUS Ministry for Grieving Parents is a unique ministry that serves the spiritual needs of grieving parents whose children of any age have died by any cause, no matter how long ago.
We focus on the promise of eternal life and the rich teachings of our faith to help these terribly broken parents. We ask questions such as:
Where is God in my pain?
Where is my child right now?
Why do I feel abandoned by God?
How could God let this happen?
The retreat is offered by grieving parents who have lost children of their own. We provide an opportunity for parents to gather in a sacred, warm, and compassionate space with others who know their pain. Many parents find peace and comfort, at least for a time. All faiths are welcome. For additional information, contact Eric’s Mom, Marianne Gouveia, at 602.549.8932.
FEE: Single $250, including meals and lodging. Commuter $135 per person.
Please email Lora at lora@thecasa.org for information on double rooms.
Pre-registration required.
Commuter
Full price $135.00
Single
Full price $250.00
Sign Up By Thursday, Dec 8 at 4:00pm
FRC.retreatportal.com
Marianne Gouveia
Marianne has spent most of her adult life working as an executive in the aerospace industry. She and her husband Greg, experienced the unthinkable death of her youngest son Eric. As she struggled to find peace and acceptance, she found the only way through the pain was to find her spiritual footing and faith in God. She is Founder and Executive Director of EricsHouse, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional, spiritual and physical support to families living in the aftermath of alcohol, drugs or suicide losses. She leads retreats for a Catholic Ministry, Emmaus for Grieving Parents, welcoming grieving parents from all faiths on their spiritual journeys after the loss of their precious children of any age by any cause, no matter how long ago. Outside of her professional life, Marianne has personally experienced a number of life transitions encompassing career, business, loss of a sibling, loss of a child, loss of parents, a divorce, a Downs Syndrome child, a Downs Syndrome sister and is a cancer survivor as well.
Gregory Eckerman
Greg Eckerman is an Aerospace Engineer and practicing Lean Six Sigma Master Blackbelt, consulting for medium and large companies in a wide variety of industries, world-wide. He is the father of two intelligent, independent, capable young women and stepfather of three sons: Robert, Joey and Eric.
Greg and his wife Marianne began leading Emmaus Retreats for Grieving Parents at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Paradise Valley, Arizona in December 2017 and have continued facilitating these workshops 2-3 times per year.
In 2017, Greg and Marianne also cofounded EricsHouse, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing integrative grief care to people who have suddenly lost someone they love, with a specialization in suicide and substance-related losses. Greg facilitates the EricsHouse Men's Group and supports process developement and documentation activiites. He has also begun training as a Grief Companion.
Dec 11, 2022, 10:00am
5802 East Lincoln Drive
Scottsdale, Arizona
Non-Denominational
Mental Health