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Office of Family Life/Respect Life: Consolation Ministries

The primary aim of consolation ministry is to offer compassionate listening, spiritual support and healing comfort to all who have experienced loss within their lives. Christian consolation springs from the hope we have received through the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We then may extend the possibility of this same hope to those whose lives have been touched by death, separation, divorce, terminal illness, incarceration or any other life-altering trauma.

"Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are troubled, with the same consolation we have received from him."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am in distress.”

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.

For more information about the diocesan Retrouvaille weekends, contact Marilyn Schipp at 609-406-7400 Ext. 5557 or mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org.

“I know the plans I have in mind for you; plans for peace not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. ”

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. Thus, 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.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

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. Additional information may be obtained at mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org or 609-406-7400 Ext. 5557.

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.

“I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”

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.

• April 11-13, 2008
• October 24-26, 2008

For more information please contact:

Rosemarie, 732-681-1114
Rich and Elise, 609-333-9868
Vivian, 732-441-7070

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

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.

Sunbeams: Pre-School edition
Rainbows: Elementary edition
Spectrum: Adolescent edition
Kaleidoscope: College/Adult edition
Prism: Single Parents and Step-parents

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. Mary, Colts Neck
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

“Blessed are they who mourn; they shall be comforted.”

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 2007-2008