Archdiocese of Denver
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Adult Children of Divorce Ministry
A
s children, most victims of divorce were
told that their parents' breakup was not
their fault. However, they often blamed them-
selves, prayed for their parents' reconciliation
and were disappointed when their prayers
seem to go unanswered. As adults, they some-
times mask their pain with unhealthy habits or
situations and often, if they are married, they
often struggle because they did not see healthy
examples of how to honor their own vows.
The Life-Giving Wounds Program is a con-
fidential retreat-centered way for adults to
reconcile the pain of their parents' divorce and
help get participants back to the Sacraments
they yearn for, especially Reconciliation and
the Eucharist. Oftentimes, these folks are the
"nones" who are Catholic but not practicing.
The program assists them in healing and find-
ing good examples for the sake and well-being
of themselves and their children, if they are
married, as well as providing ongoing support.
In addition to scheduled retreats, deacons
are working on programs to help the immedi-
ate needs to those adult children who strug-
gle with their parent's divorce. For additional
information visit, archden.org/ACOD
The Archdiocese would like to have a parish
partnership, where one parish offers the Di-
vorce Ministry Assistance and a neighboring
parish offers the Adult Children of Divorce
Ministry. Deacons will be the liaisons for the
two programs providing counseling and spiri-
tual direction.
Minor Children of Divorce Ministry
i
Deacon Don Weiss
dweiss53@q.com
Deacon Patrick Smith
zempower@yahoo.com
i
Deacon Charles Hahn
dcncharleshahn@gmail.com
A
Catholic guide for kids entitled "When
Parents Divorce or Separate" will be
available in 2022. The key is to provide children
a safe place in which to work through his or
her grief while assisting them in developing
foundational skills such as effective com-
munication, problem solving, anger man-
agement and empathy. The children will be
better equipped to not only adjust to a family
break-up or remarriage, but also to build other
relationships in a healthy and faith-filled way
by drawing on their Catholic faith.
