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Office of Family Life/Respect Life: Consolation Ministries

"In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me."

-Ps.12:1

Life is indeed filled with many challenges, whether of the physical, emotional or spiritual order. Often we are shaken to the depths of our being, as urgent questioning replaces the certainty that we once took for granted.

Hopefully, we come to realize that this is the time when the support of our Christian community matters the most. As we read the Scriptures, we see that Jesus always welcomed those who were suffering. All that he required was that they would ask to be healed. Today, people still come forward in our Christian communities of faith, asking for comfort in their distress. Within the following pages, one may find ways to comfort or be comforted. All that is required is to ask!

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you.”

The word "retrouvaille" is a French word meaning "rediscovery." This international program helps persons who are experiencing problems in their marriages. Husbands and wives are encouraged to reestablish communication and gain new insights into themselves, both as individuals and as a couple. Retrouvaille is Catholic in orientation and origin but is open to all married couples regardless of religious background. What these couples have in common is a sincere desire to build a stable, loving marriage.

The program is presented by three married couples and a Retrouvaille-trained priest. These team couples, who have previously experienced a Retrouvaille weekend themselves, offer hope as they share their stories of struggle, reconciliation, and healing. The weekend and the six follow-up mandatory post sessions help couples to reflect on the strengths as well as the difficulties in their marital relationship.

2008-2009 Dates

• May 1-3, 2009 - Holiday Inn, Princeton

For more information about the diocesan Retrouvaille weekends, contact Marilyn Schipp at 609.406.7400 ext. 5557/5573 or mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org.

“And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The process for declaring a marriage null can be very difficult and confusing for a divorced Catholic, with many myths in circulation which cause one to feel that annulments are unattainable. Our diocese provides an opportunity for healing and support through the Annulment Advocate Program, in which qualified persons are trained to assist petitioners throughout the process. The advocates help the petitioner to prepare the appropriate materials, as well as to offer continuing assistance and encouragement until the case is resolved.

This program is open to persons who are sponsored by their pastor or by the Director of the Office of Family Life/Respect Life. The prescribed course of study includes applicable canon law and details of the process involved in submission of cases. Upon completion of this course, the candidates are commissioned for a probationary period. The final phase of this preparation includes two follow-up classes and the conclusion of at least one formal case.For information concerning registration and acceptance, please call 609.406.7400 ext. 5557/5573.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

For many people, the process of annulment in a marriage is very mysterious, often accompanied by considerable misinformation. In order to allay fears, as well as to dispel any misconceptions, the diocese sponsors Annulment Information Evenings annually in parishes within each county of the diocese. These open sessions consist of an explanation of the annulment process by a Tribunal judge, with a question/answer period following. In addition, diocesan annulment advocates are present to assist where appropriate.

It is hoped that these informational evenings will help petitioners make an informed decision regarding the possibility of annulment for them. There is no formal registration; all evening programs begin at 7:30pm and conclude at 9:30pm.
Additional information may be obtained by emailing mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org or calling 609.406.7400 ext. 5557/5573.

For guidance in preparing a case, contact your parish office to set an appointment with a priest, deacon or annulment advocate. If this is not possible, the referral process for an annulment advocate can be initiated by calling 609.406.7400 ext. 5557/5573.

“We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”

Developed in the mid-1970's, the international program "Beginning Experience" is a peer ministry for separated, divorced and widowed persons. It is an invitational process intended to facilitate the resolution of grief, promote healing and thereby free people to live and love themselves, others and God. A person can benefit most from the Beginning Experience program if he or she has navigated through the early sense of despair which marks a loss in one's life. Then one may seek a new beginning and work to make it a reality.

The aim of this program is achieved through the guidance of peer facilitators and includes presentations, private reflection, and optional sharing in small, supportive settings. The Trenton team is composed of trained volunteers chosen from weekend participants and governed by a Board selected from the membership. The weekends are held at Stella Maris Retreat House, Elberon, NJ.

Schedule for 2008-2009

• April 17-19, 2009
• October 23-25, 2009

For information and registration, please contact:
Rich and Elise, 609.333.9868; or
Vivian, 732.441.7070.

“I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Grief is a natural reaction to any significant loss, a reaction that needs to be expressed in order to be resolved. Not only adults but children also experience loss in many ways, through death, separation, divorce, terminal illness, abandonment or incarceration. However, children and adolescents cannot articulate the complex emotions which these losses trigger, opening the way to myriad problems at home, school and community.

The RAINBOWS program fosters emotional healing among children, teens and adults grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis. It is available to parishes, schools, religious education and youth programs in the diocese. Organized according to guidelines formulated by the international RAINBOWS organization, coordinators and facilitators must be trained prior to offering the program. Assistance in developing or restarting the following programs is provided by the Office of Family Life/Respect Life. If you are interested in Rainbows and wish to begin a group within your parish or school family or wish to locate a Rainbows program near you, please call Marilyn Schipp, Registered Rainbows Director, at 609.406.7400 ext. 5557/5573.

Sunbeams . . . . Pre-School edition
Rainbows . . . Elementary edition
Spectrum . . . . Adolescent edition
Kaleidoscope . . . . College/Adult edition
Prism . . . . Single Parents and Stepparent edition

RAINBOWS and Related Programs:

MERCER COUNTY

Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville (Spectrum)
St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Sacred Heart, Riverton

MONMOUTH COUNTY

St. Ann, Keansburg
St. Catherine, Middletown
St. Jerome, West Long Branch

OCEAN COUNTY

St. Barnabas, Bayville
St. Dominic, Brick (Rainbows and Prism)
Epiphany, Brick
All Saints High School, Manahawkin
St. Pius X, Forked River
St. Mary of the Lake, Lakewood
St. Joseph, Toms River

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

The Order of Christian Funerals expresses well the core of bereavement ministry:

"When a member of Christ's Body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love. Christian consolation is rooted in that hope that comes from faith in the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church calls each member of Christ's Body--priest, deacon, lay person - to participate in the ministry of consolation: to care for the dying, to pray for the dead, to comfort those who mourn."

Our diocese is affiliated the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved (NCMB) whose mission is to provide bereavement education, resources and support to dioceses, parishes and care providers throughout the USA. As part of our affiliation with NCMB, the Diocese sponsors two-day workshops for the initial training of bereavement ministers, as well as scheduling follow-up courses. Parishes interested in starting a bereavement ministry or those wishing to take advantage of continuing education in this ministry are served through these workshops. Rooted in the Order of Christian Funerals, topics covered include understanding the grief process, developing communication skills in dealing with the bereaved, and training in the facilitation of support groups.

Guidance is further provided in planning and developing a consolation ministry program within a local parish based on the needs of that parish. Examples of areas of interest might be liturgy planning, days of remembrance, conducting vigil services/committals, home visitations after the death, phone support and/or support groups. There is a minimal fee required of participants in the two-day workshop, since the training is primarily funded through the Bishop's Annual Appeal. For additional information, please call 609.406.7400 ext. 5557/5573 or mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org

NCMB Bereavement Training 2008-2009

MERCER/BURLINGTON COUNTY
October 3–4, 2008
St. Anthony Church
Hightstown, NJ
8:30am–3:30pm both days

OCEAN/MONMOUTH COUNTY
April 3–4, 2009
St. Theresa Church, Tuckerton, NJ
8:30am–3:30pm both days