Facilitator Tools
Everything you need to run a successful Nest Builder Kit gathering in your parish or diocese is right here—from pulpit announcements and logistics guides to emotional safety protocols. This collection of downloadable guides, templates, and pastoral tools equips facilitators to seamlessly host seasonal events.
Understanding the Roles:
Facilitators are the parish staff, pastoral associates, bereavement ministers, or trained volunteers who host Nest Builder Kit events. They organize the gathering, guide the discussion questions, and create a safe, welcoming space — no clinical or grief-specific training required, just the willingness to show up and hold space.
Facilitators are distinct from Red Bird Leaders, who are parents of child loss that are individually trained and certified by Red Bird Ministries to walk alongside other grieving parents through one-on-one accompaniment and small group support. They provide the deeper, sustained relationship that grief work requires over time.
Clergy & Pulpit Announcements
Letter to Pastor (PDF): A formal overview letter explaining program scope, low staff workload, and pastoral impact. Share this with your pastor or parochial vicar
Message for Clergy to Share (PDF): Pre-written pulpit announcements, Mass petitions, and bulletin copy for clergy to share before or during events.
Facilitator Guidelines & Emotional Safety
Facilitator Orientation & Training Guide (PDF): A quick walkthrough of your role, event logistics, and baseline expectations.
Emotional Safety & Psychological First Aid Guide (PDF): Practical protocols for creating a safe space and responding compassionately if an attendee becomes emotionally overwhelmed.
"Welcoming Hard Emotions" Guide (PDF): Guidance on navigating anger, deep sorrow, and silence during group dialogue.
Gathering Best Practices
Small Group Guidelines & Scripts (PDF): Ground rules for discussions, confidentiality, and active listening.
Engagement & Marketing Tips & Tools
Sign-In Sheet & Guest Roster Template (PDF): Capture attendee contact info and track parish participation discreetly.
Shared Grief Prayer Partner Guide (PDF): Practical instructions for pairing up attendees to hold one another in prayer between seasonal events.
Seven Sorrows Rosary Guide (PDF): Printable prayer cards and instructions for closing your gathering with a Marian meditation.
Marketing & Promotion
Each seasonal gathering event comes with ready-to-use promotional assets to get the word out to your parish community.
Customizable Event Flyers (Canva Templates / PDFs): Print-ready 8.5x11 flyers designed for church vestibules and bulletin boards.
Social Media Graphics & Banners (JPG/PNG): Sized for Facebook, Instagram, and parish digital bulletin boards.
Bulletin Copy & Pulpit Announcements (PDF): Pre-written 50-word and 100-word blurbs for weekly Mass announcements.
Clergy Mass Invitations (PDF): Scripts for priests and deacons to invite families during weekend Mass announcements.
A conversation with Anna
Take a few minutes to hear directly from Anna Gowasack as she walks you through the Facilitator Tools and shares what to expect as you begin this ministry. Feel free to share this video with volunteers and other parish staff as a helpful overview.