Divorced and Separated Ministries
DASH (Divorced and Separated Healing) is a new ministry that provides support for those whose relationship has ended in divorce or are in the midst of separation. Support includes spiritual and social opportunities and provides resource information.
When your world is turned upside down, the healing process takes time. DASH walks with you as you progress to a better place for you and your perspective. Group meetings with workshop materials on Singleness, Loneliness, Anger, and Forgiveness allow you to better see into the future. The confidential environment provides for individual healing and assists you with setting boundaries in your life journey.
Workshop topics of Rejection and Letting Go of the Past will enable you to build trust in your vision for tomorrow. Other handout materials on Acceptance and the Seven Stages of Healing permit you to envision a brighter, more peaceful time ahead. The prayerful approach to the workshop allows God’s grace to heal the wounds and lifts you into a caring embrace from others.
DASH gives you the tools to open your heart and nourishes you with the confidence to turn the page on a new chapter in your life. By rebuilding your world, you are also healing others in the workshop as you jointly look more into the rearview mirror and set your vision to the rising sun shining God’s grace on you.
Email for more information or Call for one-on-one confidential conversations or guidance.
Bob @ mmmbob72@gmail.com 636-294-4001
Maureen @ mazvanut@gmail.com 314-799-3843
DASH UPCOMING GROUPS:
Immaculate Conception (Dardenne Prairie)
Contact: dashstlmo@gmail.com / Robert (Bob) Lenac 636-294-4001; Maureen Zvanut 314-799-3843
BEHOLD is a ministry for separated and divorced members of the body of Christ. Through the use of the image of the Ecce Homo during this 12 week program, each person may be met through the Church in Encountering Christ’s Compassionate Embrace. Compassion mornings will be offered on topics that will bring healing to participants. Other opportunities for BEHOLD groups will be mini conferences and morning reflections on navigating the holiday seasons and significant family events.
BEHOLD UPCOMING GROUPS:
Mary, Mother of the Church (Mattese)
5901 Kerth Rd., St. Louis, MO 63128 (in the Annex)
Contact: Ellen Adams at lnschulte@yahoo.com or Kim Thomas at kathomas1775@gmail.com
BEHOLD Group Offerings
Ascension (Chesterfield)
230 Santa Maria Dr., Chesterfield, MO 63005 Multipurpose Room Annex
Contact: Lucia Hill at 314.757.1869 or luciamhill@yahoo.com or Barb Kelley at 636.541.6381 or bakelley616@sbcglobal.net
Cardinal Rigali Center (Shrewsbury)
20 Archbishop May Dr., St. Louis, MO 63119
Contact: Don Gayou at donaldedwg@gmail.com or call 314.406.3098
Christ, Prince of Peace (Manchester)
415 Weidman Rd., Manchester, MO 63011
Contact: Julie Licavoli at 314.922.6496 or juleslrdh@gmail.com
Immaculate Conception (Arnold)
2300 Church Rd., Arnold, MO 63010
Contact: Regina Staloch at reginastaloch@charter.net
Immaculate Conception (Dardenne Prairie)
7701 State Highway N, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368
Contact: Debi Jones-Orf at debijo@att.net
Mary, Mother of the Church (Mattese)
5901 Kerth Rd., St. Louis, MO 63128 (in the Annex)
Contact: Ellen Adams at lnschulte@yahoo.com or Kim Thomas at kathomas1775@gmail.com
Sts Joachim & Ann Catholic Church
4112 McClay Rd, St Charles, MO 63304
Contact the parish office for more information at 836-41-7503 or sjadivorceministry@stsja.org
St. Joseph Parish (Manchester)
567 St. Joseph Lane, Manchester, MO 63021
Contact for the parish at 636.227.5247
Seven Holy Founders (Affton)
6741 Rock Hill Rd., Affton, MO 63123
Contact: Don Gayou at donaldedwg@gmail.com or call 314.406.3098
More groups are coming soon – please contact Jane Guenther for more details: janeguenther@archstl.org or 314.792.7734
For other information/resources about Divorced & Separated, please go to the Office of Marriage and Family Life with the following link: Marriage & Family Life
Commonly Asked Questions
The second video briefly answers a few of the most common questions people have about the annulment process:
If you have any questions about the videos, or would like more information on Surviving Divorce (described above), contact Jane Guenther at 314.792.7734 or janeguenther@archstl.org
Resources:
Never Alone (Quarterly Newsletter)
A newsletter for the divorced and separated, created by the Office of Marriage & Family Life to provide support and resources.
Click Here for the August 2019 Newsletter
Click Here for the April 2019 Newsletter
Faith Journeys Foundation, Inc. (A Catholic Pastoral Care Program to Help Children of Divorce)
Faith Journeys is dedicated to providing parishes, schools and Dioceses with the tools and expertise to offer Catholic-based group programs for children and adolescents from divorced or separated families so they may heal more fully, grow stronger in their faith, and enter marriage free of the burdens of unresolved grief. Faith Journeys offers an award-winning, Catholic-based model of accompaniment and mentoring for children experiencing parental divorce, separation or remarriage. LEARN MORE
Help for Troubled Marriages
Retrouvaille is a program designed to provide help and support to married couples who are undergoing difficulties in their relationship, for those who are hurting in brokenness and loneliness. It has also proven helpful to couples who are separated and divorced. Although Retrouvaille is Catholic in origin, couples from all or no faith traditions are welcome to attend. LEARN MORE
The Institute For Marital Healing
The mission of the Institute for Marital Healing is to strengthen Catholic marriages and families by educating spouses, marital therapists and clergy about common causes of conflicts in marital self-giving and effective approaches to alleviating such conflicts. Through a combination of online resources, educational programs and publications, the Institute employs a time-tested approach to marital therapy that recognizes the importance of both science and faith in the process of marital healing. LEARN MORE
Books
Annulments and the Catholic Church: Straight Answers to Tough Questions - Edward Peters, J.D., J.C.D.
Many questions abound regarding this issue, one which unfortunately touches the lives of many in the Church today. In this helpful book, canon and civil lawyer Edward N. Peters clears up some of the confusion by answering the most commonly-asked annulment questions in a thorough yet easy-to-understand style.
Courage to Love... When Your Marriage Hurts - Gerald Foley
Building on the experience of Retrouvaille, a successful church-sponsored ministry, this book focuses on building relationships. It invites couples to reconciliation, to rebuilding trust, to learning the skills necessary for healthy communication, and to growing spiritually through the lived reality of married life.
December Roses: Pastoral Reflections on Divorce - Hector M. Medina
Though much literature has been written on this topic, this book details the thought processes associated with the planning and execution of a divorce and the painful emotions and feelings which occur, while at the same time providing a means of prayerful healing for those involved in the divorce situation.
The Divorce Remedy: The Proven 7-Step Program for Saving Your Marriage - Michele Weiner Davis
In a down-to-earth style, Weiner Davis outlines a realistic, solution-oriented seven-step program for managing marital problems, which, when left unchecked, can drain the life out of a relationship.
How to Understand & Petition for Your Decree of Nullity - Rose Sweet
Only God can see deeply into the human heart. He knows how human frailty and weakness, and inabilities of some people to enter into marriage freely and fully despite their best attempts. After careful study of such an attempted union, the Church may be able to declare that no valid marriage bond was created. And this book will help you understand the process.
Marriage 911: How God Saved Our Marriage - Greg & Julie Alexander
Greg and Julie Alexander thought divorce was the only way out of their lifeless, loveless marriage. Quite unexpectedly, a faithful priest guided them back to the truths of the Church, and as they began to incorporate these truths into their lives, they were able to restore the love they once had for each other. Marriage 911 chronicles their journey back from the brink of divorce to marital happiness built on a strong Catholic faith.
Rebuilding After Divorce: Making Your House a Home Again - Rose Sweet
Whether you've recently divorced or it's been a few years, you can rebuild a life rich in faith, hope, and lots of love. But first you'll need blueprints, clear directions to make your house a home again. For over 20 years, Rose Sweet has brought her wit and wisdom to the separated, divorced, and remarried.
Additional Links
Divorced Catholic We invite you on a journey back to a life filled with promise and peace. Allow Christ to walk with you as you rediscover His healing and rejuvenating power through the wisdom, richness, and truth of your Catholic faith.
Catholic Divorce Ministry Since 1974, CDM has been committed to the healing and recovery of those who have experienced separation and divorce.
If you would like help finding a Catholic marriage counselor, please feel free to contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life.
"Relationships and circumstances within your family may have changed, but God’s love for you is ever present and does not come to an end. Grasp the hands of those who reach out to you in loving concern. Extend your own hand to others whom you meet on the road to healing and reconciliation. There is a home for you within our parishes and communities of faith." (US Bishops’ 1994 pastoral message to families, Follow the Way of Love).