Difficulties Families Face

Retrouvaille

If communication in your marriage is a struggle, or things have become troubled, unloving, or uncaring, then Retrouvaille can help. Retrouvaille provides tools to help you communicate better, resolve conflicts, and rediscover a loving marriage. 

Upcoming weekend experiences:

• November 8-10, 2024 - Tewksbury, MA

For information, call confidentially 1-800-470-2230, or email helds4marriage@gmail.com.

Life Giving Wounds

Catholic Ministry for adult children of divorce or separation that brings God’s healing to them through peer-based ministry. Visit their website to find out more about Life Giving Wounds.

• Sienna Counseling - Guided by a Catholic-Christian vision of the human person, we are committed to helping our clients and communities flourish. Visit their website for more information. 
• The Goretti Center for Healing & Forgiveness - Goretti Center for Healing & Forgiveness Psychological Services specializes in clinical assessment and psychotherapy from a Catholic perspective. Visit their website for more information. 

• Guiding Star Network - Guiding Star Network, Catholic Mental Health Services is founded on the Christian principle in which each human person is endowed by God with an inherent dignity. The Guiding Star Network seeks to provide psychotherapy to Christians and non-Christians who are in search of a space to explore their dreams, goals, and trials in a setting that is informed by universal Christian values. 

• Surviving Divorce. - Surviving Divorce is a program comprised of a 12-part video series featuring in-depth presentations and interviews with Catholic men and women who have experienced the pain and trauma that often accompanies divorce. Led by host Rose Sweet, this program features Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J.; Father Don Calloway, M.I.C., and other well-known Catholics. Individual subscriptions to the online course are offered along with home-based family packages. Support groups are often formed using the program materials. For more information, please visit their website. 
• From the Archdiocese of Boston a free webinar: Common Questions After Divorce, by Rose Sweet 
• Recovering from Divorce - A program for those experiencing divorce, founded by Catholic author and EWTN-featured guest, Vince Fres.  The program features a 13-part video series coupled with support group meetings personal coaching, blogs, and related reading materials. The program provides guidance, support, and both practical and spiritual encouragement for Catholics. Founder Vince Frese is the author of Daily Inspirations for Divorced Catholics and co-author of Divorced. Catholic. Now What? Visit their website for more information. 

The National Catholic Divorce Ministry (NACSDC) is a national organization committed to the recovery of those who have experienced separation and divorce. Below are some helpful resources: 

• Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics (NACSDC)  A network of support for families experiencing separation and divorce.
• Resources and Programs available from NACSDC

7 Things Catholics Should Know About Divorce, from Franciscan Media

1. Non-divorced Catholics often come across as judgmental of the divorced.
2. Not every marriage was “joined by God” even if it took place in a church.
3. The divorced do not have to justify themselves.
4. Sometimes, divorce changes one’s life for the better.
5. Divorced persons don’t need to marry again to be happy.
6. Some divorced persons hope their experiences makes you question assumptions about your marriage.
7. Every marriage ends.

Read the full article from Franciscan Media

Red Bird Ministries A non-profit, Catholic grief support ministry serving individuals and couples who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood. The organization was formed to help people understand grief, how to navigate through it, and most crucially, how to begin the healing process. In-person Support Groups, Workshops and an Online Community are available.

Grieving Together: A Couples Journey through Miscarriage  Drawing from real-life experiences of parents who have experienced this heart-breaking loss, Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage is a companion through the common questions, crises, and grief that arise after the death of a child. The book offers Catholic resources for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss, including Scripture, prayers, official Church rites, and theological teaching that speaks to the toughest questions surrounding the loss of a child.

• December 7,  2024 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 12-07-24 Fairfield County, Connecticut Diocese of Bridgeport One-Day Retreat

Lach's Legacy Connection, comfort and hope for those who are grieving the loss of a child.

Our Scarlett Stories  A faith-based on-line community to support women through pregnancy loss

• Other Blog/Articles
  • Blessed is She: Healing After Miscarriage
  • Word on Fire: The Littlest Life is Still a Life

Prenatal Diagnosis

Be Not Afraid  A private non-profit organization supporting parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis. Be Not Afraid seeks flexibility for parents both in birth and in newborn care planning and follows the ethical teachings of the Catholic Church. BNA serves parents of all denominations.

“Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 

– Matthew 5:4

• The New Day Ministry is a faith-based, small-group support program facilitated by trained volunteers who accompany fellow parishioners on their journey from grief to healing. A structured program, which includes prayer, scripture readings, journaling, and sharing responses to directed questions in a confidential setting. It is based on The New Day Journal, by Mauryeen O’Brien, O.P., and has been used by the Archdiocese of Hartford for over 25 years. 
  • To find which parishes are offering a New Day Bereavement group, visit the Around the Archdiocese page. 
• Red Bird Ministries A non-profit, Catholic grief support ministry serving individuals and couples who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood. The organization was formed to help people understand grief, how to navigate through it, and most crucially, how to begin the healing process. In-person Support Groups, Workshops and an Online Community are available.
• Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents A loss recovery program that believes there is no healing without God. Since its inception, this ministry has helped participants initiate, regain, and/or reinvigorate their relationship with God, and so begin their healing process. Just as Jesus comforted his grieving disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus comforts us and we comfort each other in this very special ministry. The programs are offered by Emmaus Parent Companions working together with Catholic Clergy, Deacons, Pastoral Associates, and Spiritual Directors.
• Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Archdiocese of Hartford Catholic Cemeteries Association is an ecclesiastical nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to serve the burial needs of all Catholics in accordance with Canon Law. The Association operates and manages 30 cemeteries within the Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven counties of the Archdiocese of Hartford. For Catholics, the rites and traditions of Christian burial are understood to reflect our faith in the resurrection and everlasting live. 

• USCCB Help for Those Struggling with Pornography
• Covenant Eyes is a filtering and screen monitoring system that encourages accountability through screenshot monitoring and activity reporting. Protect for personal devices and protect what children see on shared, family devices.
• Integrity Restored is an organization dedicated to helping Catholics fight pornography at all levels. Resources are also available for clergy. 

• Project Rachel - Project Rachel is a ministry of the Catholic Church in the U.S. to those who have been involved in abortion. It is a diocesan-based network of specially trained priests, religious, counselors, and laypersons who provide a team response of care for those suffering in the aftermath of abortion.  
  • Rachel's Vineyard Retreat Information Weekend retreats offer a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. Connecticut contact:  Marie Laffin 203-631-9030 mlaffin@prolifeministry.org

• Sisters of Life: Hope and Healing  The Sisters of Life are a contemplative/active Roman Catholic community of women religious who serve in the [Arch]dioceses of New York, Albany, Bridgeport, Philadelphia, Denver, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and Toronto, Canada. Their mission is to serve women who suffer after abortion to encounter the mercy and healing of Jesus Christ.

   

              Prayer for those who have lost a child to abortion

  Lord of all Life, You have entrusted us to the care of one another, And called us to be one Body in Christ. You call us to rejoice with those who rejoice, And to weep with those who weep.
  Hear our prayer today for our brothers and sisters who have lost children to abortion. Help us to understand the pain that is in their hearts, and to be a living sign to them of your welcome, your mercy, and your healing. Help them to undergo with courage the process of grief and the journey of healing. Never allow them to feel alone; always refresh them with the presence of Your Spirit and of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Console them with the sure hope that you love and care for their children. Give them new strength, that even while they grieve what they have lost, they may look forward to all the good that you still have in store for them. Lord of healing and hope, give us all the forgiveness of our sins, and the joy of your salvation. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
   

  From Pope John Paul II  Evangelium Vitae (99):

  “I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.”