“Surviving Divorce” Facilitator Training Day 

There's no such thing as "Catholic divorce" but the bad news is Catholics do civilly divorce. “Surviving Divorce” is a program here to help, and to encourage healing through the Sacraments where the participants personally encounter Christ—with all His love and tender mercies. Thousands of years ago the blind, deaf and dumb ran to Jesus for healing and He still invites them to come to Him today. Those who are in need of healing from civil divorce or separation want to learn how to rebuild their lives. There is hope when experiencing the love of Jesus Christ through His church & people. Please consider bringing the 12-week program Surviving Divorce to your parish. 

No one normally marries with a conscious intent to divorce, yet countless Catholics are doing just that.  Whatever circumstance ends a marriage, a spouse is left behind and a family is forever changed.  In addition to dealing with overwhelming emotions, financial and family problems, huge numbers of separated and divorced Catholics:

• stop attending Mass or leave the Church completely
• ignore - or misunderstand - the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding separation and divorce
• do not realize the deep healing power that lies within the Church

‘Surviving Divorce’ has been chosen by the Office of Family Life Ministries as the program to be used in all Archdiocesan parish outreach for the separated and divorced. Experts in the DVD series include Rose Sweet, Surviving Divorce producer and author of Healing the Divorced Heart; Dr. Ray Guarendi, clinical psychologist, Catholic author, and host of Ave Maria Radio’s The Doctor Is In; Fr. Mitch Pacwa, priest, biblical scholar, and author; Fr. Donald Calloway, priest, author, and popular EWTN host; Fr. Steve Porter, priest, biblical scholar, and spiritual director; and Christopher West, Catholic speaker and expert on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It also includes personal testimonies of Catholic men and women who have experienced the breakdown of their families. They courageously share their stories with heart, humor, and wisdom. 

This 12-week DVD/discussion program is based on the teachings of the Catholic Church and is open to anyone who needs comfort, counsel, and clarity after divorce.

• the spiritual life and the teachings of the Catholic Church on separation and divorce
• fear, anger, depression and loneliness
• financial issues
• court battles, parenting, custody and visitation
• Church annulment
• singleness, dating again, remarriage, sex, and chastity

This program can be facilitated by any clergy, religious, permanent deacon, pastoral staff member or layperson designated by the parish. The Family Life Office offers a one-day facilitator training session at The Archdiocesan Center twice per year.