Our participation in the Cincinnati Gives campaign replaces a year-end appeal, so your gift given online from December 2-11 is crucial to COJ starting 2026 ready to serve those who are grieving. Sharing our posts is a gift as well!

December Prayer Intention
A Note from Sheila
Moeller HS honors 25 years
December Support Groups

New Support Groups Launching
Grief Support Tips
Memorial/Honor Gifts

December Prayer Intention

For all those facing the holidays without someone they love.

Lord, we lift up everyone experiencing the anguish of holiday grief, whether this is the first holiday season without their loved one(s) or it is yet another one.

May they receive moments of your grace wrapped in the gestures of love, compassion, and kindness of others.

Learning to live with love and longing

Dear Friends,

As we near the close of this year, our hearts are with each of you. The holidays can stir a tender mix of love and longing — moments of gratitude, and moments of deep ache for those no longer beside us. Please know that all of us at COJ are holding you close in heart and prayer this Christmas, Hanukkah, and holiday season.

Grief is love with nowhere to go — yet in remembering, in sharing, and in honoring, that love finds new ways to shine. We invite you to find gentle ways to honor your loved one and to care for yourself this season:

Give yourself grace – Allow yourself the time and space to care for your own heart. It’s okay to take breaks, to change traditions, or to do things differently this year if it helps you navigate the holidays.
Remember and honor your loved one – Light a candle, share a memory, or create a small ritual that feels meaningful to you.
Accept support – Reach out to friends, family, or your COJ community if you need comfort or someone to simply be present.
Set gentle boundaries – It’s okay to say no to events or gatherings that feel overwhelming.
Embrace the love that remains – Allow yourself to feel gratitude for the moments you shared and the continuing impact of your loved one in your life.
Light a candle in their memory and speak their name aloud.
Write them a letter, sharing the ways their love continues to guide your life.
Include a remembrance ornament or photo as part of your holiday traditions.
Reach out to someone else who is grieving, offering the same compassion you’ve received.

These small acts of remembrance help you feel your loved one's presence which still surrounds you. It reminds us that love endures — always. Please allow yourself to feel their love and the love that surrounds you.

These ladies created a remembrance candle for their loved ones at November's Grief to Peace group at Spring Grove Cemetery Funeral Home.

If you would like to honor your loved one in a special way this season, we invite you to consider a gift to COJ in their memory. This year we are again participating in Cincinnati Gives, beginning tomorrow on Giving Tuesday, December 2. This is a fantastic day to give your year-end gift because we may earn extra funds and you may win a prize! Your contribution allows the ripple effects of their love — and the mission of COJ — to continue bringing hope, strength, and healing to others who walk this journey of grief.

The Cincinnati Gives link will be in your inbox tomorrow morning! Please be generous so we can be generous in compassion to those who need us.

May this season bring you moments of peace, tender joy, and the quiet assurance that you are not alone.

We wish you a blessed Christmas and holiday season,

Sheila Munafo-Kanoza

Founder, Executive Director

Archbishop Moeller HS Honors COJ

The staff at Archbishop Moeller High School recently recognized the presence of COJ in their school for 25 years now. They were the first school in which we began a monthly in-school grief group, and that has grown to 66 schools this year.

Registration for our adult and family support groups is open and participants are welcome to join at any time. Click on the button below to access our website calendar with registration links. If you have questions about registration or would like assistance finding the right support group, please call our office at 513-870-9108.

Note: You can rely on the online calendar for the current group schedule!

View Support Group Calendar

Adult Groups'

December Focus:

Grief During the Holidays

There are many joyful elements that make the holiday season special, but when we are grieving, all the noise and activities can become a recipe for over-stimulation, anxiety, unreasonable expectations, guilt, and sadness.

We acknowledge that this season may not feel merry. Join us as we focus on understanding and planning to meet our needs during the holidays. Preparing ourselves and our families will help us honor our loved one and celebrate in the way that feels the most healing to us.

All are welcome, and please invite a friend who may be missing someone as well!

Starting the Journey

We suggest new participants begin with Starting the Journey: Understanding Grief Before Group Support. This one-time session is not a support group, but rather a compassionate presentation designed for those at the beginning of their grief journey, regardless of how recent or distant their loss may be.

Meets: 2nd Monday of the month, 6:30-8:00 pm

St. Anne's Episcopal Church

6461 Tylersville Road, West Chester Township, OH 45069

Next meeting: Monday, December 8

RSVP for Starting the Journey

Path to Peace: Overdose Loss Support Group

Path to Peace is a new support group created for those grieving the death of a loved one to overdose. This compassionate space recognizes that overdose loss is uniquely complex, often marked by stigma, unanswered questions, and a mix of emotions that can feel overwhelming or isolating.

Grief after overdose can include guilt, anger, shame, or confusion alongside deep sorrow. Mourners often feel misunderstood or are hesitant to seek support.

Path to Peace offers a community of people who truly “get it,” facilitated by people who have themselves experienced this kind of loss. Here, participants can share openly without judgment, gain understanding about the grief they’re experiencing, and learn tools for healing.

Meets: 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:00-7:30 pm

Spring Grove Funeral Home

4389 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45232

First meeting: Tuesday, January 27

Registration will be required, and will soon be available on this page:

http://companionsonajourney.org/programs-services/adult-support/

Questions? Call COJ at 513-870-9108.

***

Two more new support groups are confirmed, and final details are being determined. Stay tuned!

Young Adult Group, Springdale area
Open Grief Group, West Chester/Mason area

Read it all on our blog

SELF-CARE CORNER

Try journaling to help process grief emotions

It is common for those who are grieving to hold all of their emotions inside. Journaling offers a way to release those feelings and can be an incredible tool for managing stress, regulating emotions, and reflecting on our experiences.

Holiday Remembrance Service at Spring Grove

Everyone is welcome to attend Spring Grove Cemetery's Evening of Remembrance on Thursday, December 4 to honor and remember loved ones no longer with us this holiday season. Hear a message of hope and encouragement from Sheila Munafo-Kanoza, listen to live musical performances, and share in light refreshments. Each family will receive a special keepsake to take home. Doors open for registration at 5:00 pm and the service begins at 6:00 pm.