An Evening of Reflection

Welcome

The Lenten season is a great gift of the Church, especially to parents grieving the loss of a child. Lent invites us to reflect upon suffering, our own misery, and the nearness of Christ to us in the midst of it all.

This evening of reflection invites parents to bring their own wounds to Christ on the cross in an act of radically vulnerability and trust. Video content, time in Eucharistic adoration, and small group discussion facilitate the encounter between parents and the suffering heart of Jesus.

Gathering Overview & Quick-Specs

  • Duration: 2 hours

  • Recommended Timing: Lent (February-March)

  • Format: Fellowship and Refreshments, Video Reflection, Adoration with Journaling Prompts, Small Group Discussion

  • Audience: Grieving parents who have lost a child at any age.

Event Format

Gathering & Fellowship

  • Check-In & Hospitality: Welcome attendees with refreshments, distribute adoration and journaling printouts, and direct parents to their tables.

  • Ambient Atmosphere: Play soft background music while participants settle in and connect.

Evening of Reflection

  • Welcome & Opening: Lead an opening prayer and explain housekeeping items (restrooms, refreshments).

  • Video: Barefoot at the Cross by Kelly Breaux (30 minutes)

  • Transition to Adoration Chapel (30 minutes)

    • Silent Reflection and Prayer: Allow attendees time to journal with the provided reflection questions in the presence of the Lord.

  • Small Group Discussion

    • Transition: head back to the gathering space.

    • Discuss Reflection Questions (30 minutes): Invite participants to share their reflections with those at their tables.

  • Closing: Conclude with a prayer of thanksgiving, share ongoing support resources (such as the RBM Community App), and offer final warm thanks.

Retreat Planning

Step 1: Planning & Prep

Go to Engagement &
Marketing Toolkit

Start here to prepare your pastor, parish staff, and volunteers before promoting the event:

  • Event Planning Checklist (PDF) — Complete timeline from 2-3 months out through post-event follow-up.

  • Create a Registration Form (optional) — create a registration form to help you plan refreshments and keep track of who plans to attend.

Step 2: Marketing & Promotional Templates

Everything you need to invite families and get the word out across your parish:

  • Customizable Event Flyer (Canva Template): Print-ready 8.5x11 flyer designed for church vestibules and bulletin boards.

  • Branded Bulletin Ad (Canva Template): A beautifully designed, editable template to insert into your parish bulletin.

  • Social Media Graphics & Banners (Canva Template): Sized for Facebook, Instagram, and parish digital bulletin boards.

  • Pulpit Announcement (PDF): Brief blurbs for weekly Mass announcements.

Step 3: Printables & Event Materials

Everything you need to invite families and get the word out across your parish:

  • Print Journaling Prompts (PDF) — Have a copy of the evening’s journaling prompts to provide to each attendee. You may optionally consider providing journaling resources for participants (e.g. small journals, paper and pens).

  • Adoration Guide (PDF) — Consider providing this one-page guide to adoration in a season of mourning to help those who may not be familiar with the practice.

  • Facilitator Slide Deck (Canva Template): This deck is embedded at the top of this page for your convenience and includes graphics, the evening’s talk, and reflection/small group discussion questions. 

  • Sign-In Sheet (PDF): Use this sheet to track who attends your retreat, and to gather information so you can keep in touch about upcoming grief support offerings. 

Step 4: Gathering & Event

Step 5: Follow-Up

  • Send a Follow-Up Email: Email the retreat attendees speaking from the heart, thanking them for their attendance. Share any relevant information about upcoming support opportunities.

Advent Evening of Reflection Engagement & Marketing Tool Hub

  • Event Planning Checklist

    Complete timeline from 2-3 months out through post-event follow-up.

    Download PDF

  • Pulpit Announcement

    A simple, printable script to help lectors or clergy share about your evening of reflection after masses.

    Download

  • Flyer/Social Media Graphic

    Our flyers are beautifully designed and are perfect for sharing your event details. The editable template is linked here, a plain PDF flyer is linked above.

    Customize

  • Branded Bulletin Ad

    Share event details in your parish bulletin with this editable branded template.

    Customize

  • Reflection Questions

    Share these one-page reflection questions with event attendees for their time of journaling before the Blessed Sacrament.

    Download

  • Adoration Guide

    A helpful guide to Adoration in a season of mourning, especially useful for those who are less familiar with the practice of Eucharistic Adoration.

    Download

  • Family Support Sign In Sheet

    These sign in sheets make it easy for grieving families to request prayerful support and follow-up care.

    Download

  • Prayer Cards

    Optional:
    We offer lovely prayer cards that families can use to pray together and keep as a reminder of the retreat.

    Purchase

  • Family Support Trifold

    Optional:
    Share RBM’s support offerings with retreatants through this beautiful and accessible trifold.

    Purchase

Frequently asked questions

  • This Advent Evening of Reflection is designed to foster a space of comfort, connection, and prayer for parents who have lost a child.

    It includes a brief video reflection, journaling before the Blessed Sacrament, and time for small group sharing.

  • Any parent who has lost a child at any age. This includes losses that happened recently and losses from many years ago — grief doesn't follow a timeline, and you're welcome whenever you're ready.

  • All grieving parents are welcome, including fathers. Grief touches the whole family, and this space is for anyone who has carried the loss of a child.

  • Facilitators hold small-group conversations with care and confidentiality. What's shared in discussion groups is meant to stay within that group.