DEPARTMENT for MARRIAGE & FAMILY MINISTRY
7911 Detroit Ave - Cleveland, Ohio 44102
216-334-2978  / 216-334-2976 (fax)

The future of the world and of the Church passes by way of the family. -John Paul II

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Parishioners and parish leaders might well ask themselves: How are separated and divorced persons treated in this parish? What is the parishioners’ prevalent attitude toward persons who are separated or civilly divorced? Pope John Paul II characterized the fundamental Christian attitude that ought to permeate a parish’s response: “let these men and women know that the Church loves them. . . . it is necessary to welcome them with charity and kindness.”   read more from the U.S. Bishops>

Spouses who are separated: the road to healing, reconciliation, and rebuilding of your relationship can be a slow, painful one. If you are willing to begin that journey, the Church has many resources like pastoral counseling, Retrouvaille, and the Third Option program which can assist you.

Divorced Persons: 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.

Continue reading this page to find helpful articles and supportive groups and programs:
Research & Articles Helpful Links
Top Ten Myths of Divorce (from Rutgers Marriage Project)
 Thinking About Divorce?  Think Again. (U.S. Bishops)
 Divorce Facts & Statistics (.ppt)  (U.S. Health & Human Services)		 Cleveland Marriage Tribunal (Annulment Information)
 Catholic Divorce Ministry
 Lake-Geauga Ministry to the Divorced & Separated
Divorce Busting  (helpful but not Catholic)

Need help with an annulment?  Attend First Step
The Tribunal of the Diocese of Cleveland will be presenting a new program for beginning the annulment process.  The First Step Program is meant to provide individuals with a simplified method for the initial presentation of a case to the Tribunal.  The program will consist of two sessions.  The first meeting will be a general overview of marriage as understood by the Catholic Church and an explanation of the Tribunal process.  This meeting is also open to anyone who would be interested in deepening his/her knowledge of marriage in the Catholic Church and the annulment process.  Individuals who would like to begin the First Step Program will be given the appropriate materials at the conclusion of the meeting.  The second meeting will be an individual meeting, by appointment only, for the purpose of presenting the completed materials.  Pre-registration for the first meeting is not necessary. 
Places and Dates for Quick Start Events are listed on the Tribunal Website>
 If you have questions, please call Lynette Tait at the Tribunal, 216-696-6525 or 800-869-6525, ext. 4000.

                        
                                  Please click  to view or download  Earthen Vessels Newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

Winter 2010 - Vol 4 Issue 2- Hope for the Holidays
Spring 2010 - Vol 4 Issue 1 - Moving on after Infidelity
Fall 2009 - Vol 3 Issue 3.pdf  Recovering From Infidelity
Summer 2009 - Vol 3 Issue 2.pdf  Remarriage
Spring 2009 - Vol 3 Issue 1.pdf  Alcoholism
Fall 2008 - Vol 2 Issue 2.pdf  Stages of Divorce 
Spring 2008 - Vol 2 Issue 1.pdf  Healing for Women
Fall, 2007 - Vol 1 Issue 3.pdf Children & Divorce
Summer 2007 - Vol 1 Issue 2.pdf Coping with Divorce
Winter 2007 - Vol 1 Issue 1.pdf Forgiveness / Mediation

Prayers & Articles

Resources


Reflections for the Divorced
O Antiphons for the Divorced
Easter Requiem Reflection 
Coping with Summer Vacations


 


-Words of Hope & Comfort
-A Candle of Hope is Burning (Advent Reflection)
-(2) Facilitators Guide for Parish Leaders
-Helping Children Through the Holidays
-Don't Bury the Alleluia in Your Life (Lenten Reflection)

                     Divorce Ministry – Advent Program
The Department for Marriage and Family Ministry is offering parishes the booklet A Candle of Hope is Burning: An Advent Reflection, for those experiencing loss through separation or divorce, for $1.50 per copy.  The booklet can be used for self-directed meditation or by parishes or support groups as a four-week Advent program. A Facilitator’s Guide is available for $5. Please contact Jane at 216-334-2978 to order.

For Resources: Contact Jane Schwendeman 216-334-2978 or jschwendeman@clevelandcatholiccharities.org   Click here for order form                                                                                    

District Events and Workshops

DivorceCare: Surviving the Holidays - Holy Martyrs (in church basement)
3100 South Weymouth Road, Medina, 44256
Wednesday, Dec 7, 2011, 7 - 9 p.m. - Free, no registration required.
DVD Presentation and Discussion
www.divorcecare.org/holidays


Divorce Recovery Groups

The following parishes are hosting Divorce Recovery Groups  
Call to sign up or for more information.

City When Day Time Place Contact Person Contact Phone Notes
Amherst 2/6/2012-3/5/2012 Mon 7-9 p.m. St. Joseph Maria 440-988-2848 x 205 Hope Workshop, Separated & Divorced
Chardon 4/11/2012 - 5/30/2012 Wed. 7-9 p.m. St. Mary Karen Jubeck See flyer Must pre-register; flyer
Concord 10/25/11 - 12/13/11 Tues 7-9 p.m. St. Gabriel Karen Jubeck See flyer Must pre-register; flyer
Hudson 10/3/11 - 1/30/2012 Mon. 7-9 p.m. St. Mary Rose Gordyan 330-656-2558 x 227 Divorce & Beyond, Must preregister
Mentor 2/8 - 3/28/2012 Wed 7-9 p.m. St. Bede Karen Jubeck See flyer Must pre-register; flyer
Rocky River 1/23/12 thru 3/26/12 Mon 7-9 p.m. St. Christopher Gayle Cilimburg 440-331-4256 Must pre-register
Strongsville Third Friday of each month Fri 6:30 - 8 St. Joseph Carol Petro 216-334-2975 12 Steps to Peace
Valley City Last Friday of each month Fri 6:30 - 8 St. Martin of Tours Carol Petro 216-334-2975 12 Steps to Peace
Willoughby 12/20/11 - 1/10/2012 Tues 7-9 p.m. St. Noel Karen Jubeck Pre-register / flyer Bridge for the Holidays (4-wk support)

 

DivorceCare & DivorceCare for Kids - DC4K

Topics covered will be:   

What's Happening to Me / The Road to to Healing /Finding Help  /  Facing My Anger
Facing My Depression  /  Facing My Loneliness  /  What Does the Owner's Manual Say
New Relationships  /  Financial Survival  /  KidCare  /  Single Sexuality
Forgiveness  /  Reconciliation and Moving On  /  Growing Closer to God

DC4K is a 13-week program geared to introduce children to the grieving process and
to give them the tools necessary to develop healthier relationships within their own families.

the following parishes are hosting DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids:

Dates Day Time Topic City Place Contact Person Contact Phone

9/13-12/20/2011

 Tues 6:15-8 p.m. DivorceCare / Adults Brunswick St. Ambrose Diane Capretta 330-351-5471

9/13-12/6/2011

 Tues 7:30-9 p.m. DivorceCare / Adults Strongsville St. John Neumann Deacon Ken 440-238-1770 x 308
Starts Jan. 31, 2012 Tues 6-8 p.m. DivorceCare / Adults & Kids Chagrin Falls Holy Angels Janice 216-215-8420

Jan 2012 (tent)

 TBA   DivorceCare / Adults North Ridgeville St. Julie Billiart Nancy Kubiak 440-327-1978

Starts Jan. 4, 2012

 Wed 7-8:30 p.m. DivorceCare / Adults - 12 weeks Brecksville St. Basil the Great Mary Ann 440-625-0677

Start 11/7, tent.

 Mon 7:30-8:30 p.m. DivorceCare / Adults Valley City St. Martin of Tours Colene Conley 330-721-7027

 

ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS

City Place Day Time Notes Contact Person Contact Phone
Cuyahoga Falls Immaculate Heart of Mary 2nd & 4th Mondays 7:30 PM Akron Sep/Div & Widowed Catholics
Newsletter 		Frank Papa 330-801-0527
Chagrin Falls St. Joan of Arc Call for info n/a Sep/Div Catholics Sr. Anne Marie 440-247-1141
North Olmsted St. Brendan Sun 7:00 PM Westshore Sep/Div & Wid Catholics Jane McGonegal 216-509-4570
 

 

۞   ۞   ۞

 

Peer Support Facilitator Training

Presented by:  Department for Marriage & Family Ministry

TBA

 

For registration - please contact Jane 216-334-2978 or

email: jschwendeman@clevelandcatholiccharities.org  

for training information, contact Carol 216-334-2975 or

e-mail: clpetro@clevelandcatholiccharities.org

Last update  +  01 February, 2012  

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