He extensively covers the topic of divorced families and how the Church can reach out to them and their children and help them through the healing process.
“Such persons need to feel not as excommunicated members of the Church,” writes Pope Francis. “But instead as living members, able to live and grow in the Church and experience her as a mother who welcomes them always, who takes care of them with affection and encourages them along the path of life and the Gospel.”
In Riverside, St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish has already begun its outreach through the Divorced and Separated Healing Ministry, also referred to as DASH.
“I think divorce is something that’s prevalent throughout our society and becoming more prevalent with time,” says Gregory Ford, one of the three facilitators for the ministry. “We need to help people going through divorce and separation and reach out to them and let them know that Christ’s love for them continues on through any trauma in life.”
Started in 2014, the ministry offers a 12-week course designed by author Rose Sweet called “The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide”. Each class begins with a prayer, followed by an introduction, review of the previous class topic, questions and then a viewing of a DVD from the Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide. After the DVD, the group discusses the information they learned during the session and shares with each other about how it applies to their situation.
During one of the final classes, a speaker who is knowledgeable of Church’s annulment process is introduced to the group to answer questions on the topic. At the end of 12 weeks, members are encouraged to either attend a weekly Sunday bible study group or form their own group and continue their discussion and healing.
“We want the healing process to go on,” says Ford. “We want Jesus to come in and have the big effect. Not us.”
Mario Martinez, Coordinator of the Diocesan Marriage Initiative, was responsible for assisting with formation of the DASH ministry at the parish level.
“There’s still this belief that once you’re divorced, you’re out of the church,” says Martinez. “But you are still part of the Body of Christ and that’s what we’re trying to teach and bring awareness to with these programs.”
The ministry offers the 12-week course twice a year and is now serving it’s fourth group since it began. The parish is currently working on offering the program in Spanish and hopes to be able to attend to the needs of the Spanish-speaking community. The next English speaking course begins in August. If you would like to attend the course or for more information, please contact St. Catherine’s parish office at 951-781-9855.
Malie Hudson is a freelance writer.