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Office of Family Life: Consolation Ministries

"I have come as light into the world,
so that everyone who believes in Me
should not remain in darkness."

-John 12:46

Often when we are sad or troubled because of the loss of someone near and dear to us, we feel deserted and alone. We are certain that no one can understand the desolation we experience.

Through the Office of Family Life, Consolation Ministries, comfort may be found within the Christian community of faith: our diocesan as well as our parish family. Various programs are offered to support and encourage the faithful who are suffering losses of many kinds. It is important to remember that the support we seek may be found in reliance upon the Lord whose Resurrection promises us healing and hope in our distress.

“He reached from on high and grasped me;
He drew me out of deep waters.”

Retrouvaille is an international program which helps couples who are experiencing problems in their marriages. Husbands and wives are encouraged to re-establish communication and gain new (insights into themselves, both as individuals and as a couple.)

The program is presented by three married couples and a Retrouvaille-trained priest. The team couples offer hope as they share their personal 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 program, contact Marilyn Schipp at 609-406-7400, ext. 5557 or mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org.

“He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,
to heal the brokenhearted.”

The process for declaring a marriage null can be very difficult and confusing for a divorced Catholic. Through the Annulment Advocate Program, our diocese provides training for qualified individuals to assist persons throughout the process. The advocates help annulment petitioners to prepare the appropriate materials, as well as to offer continuing assistance and encouragement until the case is resolved.

This training program is open to persons who are sponsored by their pastor or by the Director of the Office of Family Life. For information concerning registration and acceptance, please call 609-406-7400, ext.5557.

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

For many people, the process of marriage annulment is very mysterious, often accompanied by considerable misinformation. In order to dispel misconceptions, the diocese sponsors Annulment Information Evenings annually in parishes within each county of the diocese.

There is no formal registration. All evening programs begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at 9:30 p.m.

Additional information may be obtained by emailing mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org or calling 609-406-7400, ext. 5557.

Ocean County				Nov. 3, 2009				Church of the Visitation, Brick, NJ
Mercer County				Nov. 9, 2009				Church of St. Ann, Lawrenceville, NJ
Burlington County				Mar. 16 , 2010				St. John Neumann Church, Mt. Laurel, NJ
Monmouth County				Mar. 22 , 2010				Church of the Ascension, Bradley Beach, NJ

For guidance in pursuing an annulment, contact your parish office to set an appointment with a priest, deacon or annulment advocate. If this is not possible, please contact Marilyn Schipp at 609-406-7400, ext.5557.

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

The international Beginning Experience program is a peer ministry for separated, divorced and widowed persons. “Beginning Experience” facilitates the resolution of grief and promotes healing, thereby freeing people to live and love themselves, others and God.

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 weekends are held at Stella Maris Retreat House, Elberon, NJ.

Schedule for 2009-2010

• May 21-23, 2010
• October 15-17, 2010

For information and registration, please contact Rosemarie, 732.681.1114; Rich and Elise, 609-333-9868; Vivian, 732-441-7070, or go to beginningexperience@gmail.com

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

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 a program is provided by the Office of Family Life. If you are interested in Rainbows or wish to locate a 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 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

“Lord, for your faithful people, life has changed, not ended.”

As an affiliate of the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved, the Office of Family Life sponsors two-day workshops for the initial training of bereavement ministers, as well as follow-up courses. 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 nominal fee required of participants in the two-day workshop; the training is primarily funded through the Bishop's Annual Appeal. For additional information, please contact Marilyn Schipp at 609-406-7400, ext.5557or mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org.

NCMB Bereavement Training 2009-2010

MERCER/BURLINGTON COUNTY
October 2 & 3, 2009
Jesus, the Good Shepherd Parish
St. Joseph Church, Beverly
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., both days

OCEAN/MONMOUTH COUNTY
March 26 & 27, 2010
St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Freehold
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., both days

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR BEREAVEMENT

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Cinnaminson, St. Charles Borromeo
Deacon Jerry Doughty, 856-829-3322

Maple Shade, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Sister Theresa, 856-667-8850

Marlton, St. Joan of Arc
Sister Eleanor or Joanne Del Prato, 856-983-0077

Medford, St. Mary of the Lakes
Sister Beth De Santis SSJ, 609-654-8208, ext.16

Moorestown, Our Lady of Good Counsel
Frank Kilkenny, 856-273-8036

Riverton, Sacred Heart
Mary Neary, 856-829-0090, ext.14

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MERCER COUNTY

Hamilton, St. Raphael/Holy Angels
Eileen, 609-888-0006 or Deacon Bob Tharp, 609-890-1011

Hamilton Square, St Gregory the Great
Joseph Diamond, 609-371-0026

Hightstown, St. Anthony of Padua
Gloria, 609-443-8148

Princeton, St. Paul
Contact parish: 609-924-1743, ext.108

Trenton, Our Lady of the Angels
Contact parish, 609-695-6089

West Trenton, Our Lady of Good Counsel
Deacon John Bonner, 609-882-3277

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MONMOUTH COUNTY

Atlantic Highlands, St. Agnes
Paul Brustowicz, 732-291-0272

Belmar, St. Rose
Deacon Normand Bailey or Rosemarie Reilly, 732-681-0512, ext. 423

Bradley Beach, Ascension
Joan, 732-774-0456

Colts Neck, St. Mary
Richard, 732-933-1377

Farmingdale/Howell, St Catherine
Terri Murray, 732-938-5375, ext. 1

Freehold, St. Rose of Lima
Contact parish, 732-462-0977

Howell, St. William the Abbot
Martha Kalakutok, 732-919-7731

Keansburg, St. Ann
Alice Thompson, 732-787-0315

Keyport, St. Joseph
Wendy, 732-739-4075

Lincroft, St. Leo the Great
Sister Ann Barry, 732-747-5466

Middletown, St. Mary
Eileen and Bob Bates, 732-787-8566

Point Pleasant, St Martha
Maryann or Mary Abate, Coordinator, 732-295-3630, ext. 34

Spring Lake, St. Catharine/St. Margaret
Sister Margaret Tierney SC or Sister Katie McGrady
GNSH, 732-449-5765, ext.124 or ext. 148

Wayside, St. Anselm
Sandy Mullarkey, 732-493-4411, ext.102

West Long Branch, St. Jerome
Maureen, 732-842-9518

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OCEAN COUNTY

Barnegat, St. Mary
Father Ken Tuzeneu, 609-698-5531

Bayville, St. Barnabas
Deacon Guy Rasmussen, 732-269-2208, ext. 314

Brick, Epiphany
Patricia McCormack, 732-458-0220

Brick, St. Dominic
Brigid Hughes, 732-840-1410

Brick, Visitation
Deacon Rich Johnston, 732-477-0028, ext. 106

Forked River, St. Pius X
Paula Little, 609-693-5107

Jackson, St. Aloysius
Doris, 732-928-3666

Jackson, St. Monica
Linda, 732-961-7452

Lakewood, St. Mary of the Lake
Cetta Lieb, 732-363-8262

Toms River, St. Joseph
Contact parish Pastoral Care Office, 732-349-0018, ext.2223

Toms River, St Justin
Deacon Jim Campbell, 732-270-3980

Toms River, St. Luke
Anna, 732-244-8557

Tuckerton, St. Theresa
Maureen, 609-296-3801

Whiting, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Evelyn, 732-350-5001

“Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me.”

Our diocese is affiliated with the Catholic Divorce Ministry (CDM) of the North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics (NACSDC). Endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, this group has been committed since 1974 to advance hope and healing in those who experience divorce.

This ministry recognizes that separated and divorced people, through their vulnerability, courage, and patient endurance, serve as witness to Christ and His redeeming grace. This important ministry offers support in coping with the grief of separation, divorce and single-parent challenges. In addition, spiritual and educational opportunities are available through this program.

Training of facilitators for parish support groups is held periodically in the diocese. For information,
please contact Marilyn Schipp at 609-406-7400, ext.5557or email mschip@dioceseoftrenton.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SEPARATED AND DIVORCED

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Hainesport, Our Lady Queen of Peace
John Carmody, 609-267-0230, ext.16

Maple Shade, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Father Robert Holtz and Sister. William Evelyn, 856-667-8850

Marlton, St Isaac Jogues
Contact parish: 856-797-0999

Medford, St. Mary of the Lakes
Robert Bell, 856-252-0075

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MERCER COUNTY

Pennington, St. James
Contact parish, 609-737-0122

Hamilton Square, St. Gregory the Great
Gregg Flanner, 609-588-0790

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MONMOUTH COUNTY

Colts Neck, St. Mary
Lori, 732-291-2971

Howell, St Veronica
Rosemarie, 732-431-0446

Red Bank, St. James
June, 732-681-4257

West End, St Michael
Deacon Somma, 732-483-0360, ext. 12

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OCEAN COUNTY

Barnegat, St. Mary
Deacon Ron Hauns, 609-607-9447

Bayville, St. Barnabas
Mary Alice, 732-269-2020

Brant Beach, St. Francis
Deacon George, 609-494-8813

Brick, Epiphany
Vicky, 732-458-0220

Brick, St. Dominic
Rosemarie, 732-840-1410, ext. 38

Point Pleasant, St. Martha and
Point Pleasant Beach, St. Peter
Arlene, 732-714-1747

Toms River, St. Joseph
Deacon Michael Taylor, 732-349-0018, ext.2254

Office of Family Life
Diocesan Pastoral Center
PO Box 5147
701 Lawrenceville Road
Trenton, NJ 08638-0147
Phone: 609-406-7400
Fax: 609-406-7403
Email: family@dioceseoftrenton.org
Director: Linda Richardson