Divorce can be a devastating event for everyone involved. As a Church, we are called to imitate Jesus Christ, who always sought to heal the broken hearted. Below you will find resources to help your parish, your friends, family members or even yourself to begin the healing process.
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE, A HEALING FROM MARITAL LOSS
From Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, the Beginning Experience program is presented by a team of people who have suffered the loss of a loved one through death, separation or divorce, and are willing to share their own experience to help others. Team members lead participants through a program of presentations, personal private reflection, and small group sharing. A sense of community develops in an atmosphere of care and concern that is a hallmark of each weekend.
Beginning Experience weekends are held three times a year in the Kansas City metro area. http://www.beginningexperiencekc.org, and use the online inquiry form or contact register.bekc@gmail.com – Lynn Schulte 785-282-8964, Teresa Gutierrez 816-529-9002 . For additional resources on healing, or to find a weekend in another city, visit: www.beginningexperience.org .
Beginning Experience also offers a weekly format over the course of about 8 weeks that leads the participant through the healing process. This weekly experience is called, “Coping with Life Alone”. For dates and registration information, contact: kc.cwla@gmail.com, Donna Eisenbarth 816-305-3760.
Surviving Divorce: Self-guided or group program
Surviving Divorce was created to bring hope and healing to those who have experienced the pain and loneliness of a broken marriage. It is for the newly separated and divorced and those still struggling with issues many years later. It will help them answer their questions, restore hope, and begin authentic healing. This course is easily presented on a parish level, but there are also materials for individual study. To review or order materials, see Surviving Divorce: Hope and Healing for the Catholic Family – Ascension (ascensionpress.com)
To attend this course in Leawood, KS see Divorce and Annulment Support – St. Michael the Archangel Parish – Leawood, KS (stmichaelcp.org)
If you are interested in starting a group at your parish, please contact Brad DuPont in the Office of Marriage and Family Life, bdupont@archkck.org or 913-647-0301.
Life-Giving Wounds
One aspect of divorce healing is addressing the needs of children of divorce. The Kansas City chapter of Life-Giving Wounds hosts an annual retreat and support group, and will be offering more opportunities as the chapter grows. For national LGW resources see: https://lifegivingwounds.org and for local events, contact Brad DuPont: bdupont@archkck.org.