Programs for Divorced ... Widowed
Bethany North - meets at St. Daniel on fourth Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Support/Healing:
Rainbows for All God's Children, for children and
adults, meetings are Thursdays 7-8 p.m. at St. Daniel Church, Clarkston MI.
Divorce Recovery - go to this website for information on where this program is offered in the area.
Bethany
North Oakland
... is a group for "single again" adults.
WHAT IS BETHANY?
Bethany is a Catholic non-profit organization and is part of the ministry of the Office for Family and Youth of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Bethany provides spiritual, social and educational assistance to divorced and separated Christians through peer to peer ministry.
Bethany has no formal membership or yearly fees. One need only attend the various functions to be a member. An admission charge at some of the functions is necessary to help defray operating expenses. All events are meant to provide a friendly, safe atmosphere. Bethany offers several locations for Divorce Recovery support to those going through the process of divorce or separation.
Bethany, while always affirming the traditional Catholic teaching and values of marriage and family life, recognizes that some Catholics may need to divorce. We believe that those who experience the painful reality of divorce should receive effective ministry. Often divorced Catholics feel alienated from the Church. We invite the Church to recognize the special needs of the separated and divorced, and to affirm that they and their families truly belong and have much to offer the Church community. Bethany sponsors an annual Mass, spiritual retreats and workshops of interest to the divorced and separated.
Sadly, divorce has become a reality in the Church today. Bethany has found that divorced Catholics often look for structure to help them go through the grieving process. Parishes are encouraged to offer support to divorced and separated Catholics, their families and to support groups who minister to them.
ANNUAL MASS FOR DIVORCED AND SEPARATED Bethany celebrates a Mass for ALL divorced and separated each year, generally in February. Refreshments and fellowship follow this special Mass which has brought some Catholics, whose faith has waned, back to celebrate Mass with their peers.ANNUAL RETREAT
Bethany presents a weekend "Lenten" retreat for separated and divorced. Widowed and persons of Christian faiths are welcome. It is held in March at St. John's Center in Plymouth, Michigan. For more information, contact Mary at 810-247-2619.
NACSDC
Bethany is a member of the North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics. NACSDC is an international organization offering support in expanding divorce ministry throughout the United States. NACSDC presents an annual conference and leadership training on the campus of Notre Dame University in South Bend during the last week of June. A Regional conference for Michigan and Ohio will be held in the fall. For more information, call Jane at 248-548-2765 or Greg at 313-382-7908.CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
Some Bethany chapters have joined with Catholic Social Services to offer "Divorce Recovery" in several communities within Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties.