| | If it matters to you, it matters to Him.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 You Are Never Alone
“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help,
and he will say: Here I am!” Isaiah 58:9
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1. Beginning Experience “BE” ~ Divorced, Widowed, Separated Support ~
Beginning Experience is an opportunity to take a weekend away for a lifetime of change. The loss of a loved one through divorce, death, or separation is one of life’s most traumatic experiences. It can result in nearly unbearable feelings of loneliness and grief. Many feel left out by their church, uneasy around married friends, unsure of themselves, and uncertain about their futures.
The Beginning Experience weekend program helps grieving single-again persons emerge from the darkness of grief into the light of a new beginning, and move into the future with renewed hope. The program uses the natural grief process and offers opportunity for turning the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth, with God’s help.
Founded in the Catholic tradition by Sr. Josephine Stewart, and rooted in the Christian beliefs, the ministry’s open and ecumenical spirit serves those of all faiths.
- Why attend a Beginning Experience? The Beginning Experience program is designed to be a time of closure on the past and renewed hope for the future. Those who attend a weekend should be past the initial feelings of anger and despair, which usually follow the loss of a loved one. They should be at the point of wanting a new beginning and ready to work to make that desire a reality.
- What happens within the weekend? The weekend is an opportunity to experience healing in community. 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 and are willing to share their own experience to help others. The team members journey with the participants through presentations, personal private reflections, and small group sharing. A sense of community develops in an atmosphere of care and concern that is a hallmark of each Beginning Experience weekend.
- When and where do the weekends happen? The weekends usually happen at various locations in northwest Iowa. The weekend begins at 8 pm on Friday evening and concludes on Sunday afternoon by 5 pm.
The following is a list of dates and locations:
November 6-8, 2009……………..Okoboji, IA
Feb 12-14, 2010.....................Okoboji, IA
- What do I need to do to be able to attend?
1. Fill out the application form - Adobe Acrobat (pdf)
2. Questions are welcomed and may be directed to seanm@scdiocese.org, or by phone at 712-233-7532.
3. Send the completed application form and $50 deposit to:
Beginning Experience of Northwestern Iowa
P.O. Box 3379
Sioux City, Iowa 51102-3379
Note: Checks are to be made out to Beginning Experience of Northwestern Iowa and the application and deposit are to be received at least one week in advance of the desired weekend. However, we ask that you register as early as possible to aid in planning. Space is limited.
- How much does it cost to attend a weekend? The cost for the weekend is accepted on a donation basis. The suggested amount is $125 per person, postdated checks are accepted, which includes handout materials, meals, and accommodations. If you are unable to pay this amount, do not let it keep you from making a weekend. Please contact us if finances are a challenge.
http://www.beginningexperience.org
Beginning Experience
Ministry for divorced, widowed and separated persons and their children.
Phone: 866-610-8877
http://www.nacsdc.org/
North American Conference of Separated & Divorced Catholics
Support for families experiencing separation and divorce.
2. Grief Support Groups
Change can happen in a matter of seconds. Changes can be good and other changes can leave us empty and feeling a lot of emotional pain because we have lost someone or something that is dear to us. Grief is what happens after such a loss. Grief can seem unbearable but it is actually a healing process, one that has to be “gone through”.
One of the ways to go through or deal with grief is by being involved with a support group.
As we become aware of grief support groups within the diocese, they will be listed here. Please note that we do not endorse one group over the other, we are just acknowledging their presence. You will need to discern which one is best for you and your situation.
3. BeFriender Ministry is a caring ministry of listening that is available in some parishes.
A BeFriender is someone who:
• listens with compassion
• accepts people as they are
• respects another’s spiritual journey
• embodies the caring presence of God
To find out of this one-to-one ministry is available in your parish, please contact your parish office or contact the Adult and Family Ministries Office by emailing seanm@scdiocese.org.
For additional information about BeFriender ministry that is available on this website under Caring Ministry.
4. Miscarriage
Families who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage often feel alone. In the past, they remained anonymous and grieved their loss in silence. This need not be the case. Times have changed. Our Church wishes to console parents through its prayers and/or the ritual naming of the child. Some parents may benefit from the confidential listening presence of a BeFriender. Mothers or fathers are invited to call their parish office or the Adult and Family Ministries Office whether they have experienced this loss recently or years ago.
5. Single Parent Newsletter
This monthly newsletter published by The Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska is filled with lots of practical ideas and articles for single parents. It deals with the day-to-day tasks of being a single parent, with its unique joys and challenges, in an honest and direct manner.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of this newsletter, please contact our office at seanm@scdiocese.org.
6. Catholic Charities
Mission statement: Catholic Charities is committed to providing professional mental health therapy/counseling and support to individuals, families, and children consistent with Christ’s teachings, and to promoting awareness of social justice issues.
Programs:
Family Counseling
Individual Counseling
Marriage Counseling
Child/Parent Counseling
Play Therapy
Mediation Services
Project Rachel / Post-Abortion Counseling
Maternity Service
Option Counseling – Adoption or Single Parenting
Adoption Services
Psychological Evaluations
Social Concerns/Advocacy
Costs:
Private pay fees are determined on a sliding scale based on a family’s annual gross income. Title 19, EAP, private insurance are also accepted.
The staff:
- Works with people from all faith traditions
Is licensed by the State of Iowa Has a variety of therapeutic skills Has therapy skills that allow them to address a wide variety of needs Provides confidential services Contact Information:
Sioux City ~ 712.252.4547
Fort Dodge ~ 515.576.4156
Carroll ~ 712.792.9597
Algona – for information or referrals ~ call the Fort Dodge office
Storm Lake- for information or referrals ~ call the Carroll office
Since 1943, Catholic Charities has been providing
HOPE for the future
HEALING from the pain of physical, sexual or emotional abuse
UNDERSTANDING to individuals and families, helping them to deal with their pain and so they can make better choices.
6. Retrouvaille……a Lifeline for Married Couples
Does your marriage fit into one of these categories:
Do you feel lost and alone?
Are you frustrated, hurt or angry with each other?
Are you constantly arguing or fighting?
Have you thought about separation or divorce?
Are you without the time or desire to communicate?
Does talking about your problem only make it worse?
Do you not know how to change or where to turn?
Retrouvaille, simply means “rediscovery”. The program offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship in your marriage. Many couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriage by attending a Retrouvaille weekend.
Retrouvaille
• IS NOT a spiritual retreat
• IS NOT a sensitivity group
• IS NOT a seminar
• IS NOT a social gathering
Retrouvaille
• IS a Catholic program
• IS welcoming to married couples of other religious backgrounds to attend.
• IS a “live-in” weekend followed by a post-weekend program for married couples
• IS a program that emphasizes a communication technique between husband and wife
This weekend is not a ‘miracle cure’ so post-weekend sessions are designed to continue the marriage renewal that was started on the weekend.
HOPE IS A PHONE CALL AWAY - If you want to talk to someone, need more information, or if you wish to register, please call 1-800-470-2230. There is no need to identify yourself when calling for information. If you then wish to register for the program, please be assured that all names are kept confidential.
PROGRAM COST - On the weekend, you will be asked to make a donation. One donation will cover the expenses of lodging, food and materials for both the weekend and the post-weekend phase. A non-refundable registration fee is required to confirm your reservation. There is limited capacity so early registration is necessary. No couple is ever denied the chance to heal and renew their marriage because they are facing financial difficulties. This concern should not influence your decision to participate in Retrouvaille.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - For more information on programs in your area please call. 1-800-470-2230 or click on http://www.retrouvaille.org