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St Michael’s Support Group: A safe and non-judgmental space for all

St Michael’s Support Group intends to provide a safe space for all suffering with trauma or undergoing grief silently. A journey from darkness into light.

St Michael’s Support Group: A safe and non-judgmental space for all

By ilovelimerick correspondent Simran Kapur

St Micheal’s Support Group intends to bring together people with a traumatic past or immense grief under one roof and provide a safe space for them. A space welcoming people of faith, no faith, any gender or belief to come together and share their stories.


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The support group will be facilitated by Paul Fitzpatrick who is a Church of Ireland Priest within Limerick City Parish. Paul offers unique experiences and a skill set that is honed through the decades that might – with the help of all who consider participating – the possibility of shining light upon very dark places and stories.

“Awful lot of people are out there who find it very difficult to put to words their traumatic experiences they have. I work with people who are dealing with something unmentionable. I help them to put words to their experiences, I don’t intend to ask them to speak up, I wish to let out the bubbling pressure within them by giving it a means of release,” Paul Fitzpatrick said.

Starting on Thursday, November 22, at St Michael’s Church, 6 Barrington St the support group will meet for a total of 4 sessions every Thursday thereafter.

The Support Group will be an opportunity and a precious space for anyone experiencing, working with, or remembering a situation of grief trauma or acute pressure. A space will be offered in order to quietly and safely delve into the unspeakable or inexpressible.

“I hope to give people the vocabulary to be able to express what is within them. A person might choose to not express in a group but to me individually. My aim is to try and spend time in a confidential environment, just talk to them and understand.

It’s the first evening of four consecutive Thursdays. Attendees will be able to make up their mind on the first day if such a space is what they require or if it is not for them. There lies no commitment or compulsion to attend all four workshops,” Mr. Fitzpatrick added.

There is no compulsion or entry fee for attending the Support Group session and all are welcome to this space. “Trauma, grief and loss affect people separate from religion, all are welcome no judgment,” Paul assured.   

For more information on St Micheal’s Church go here

For more stories on Support Groups across Limerick go here 

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