Comments on: Divorced And Still Catholic! http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:56:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Manya http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-850 Manya Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:50:49 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-850 Annette, I'm sorry your parish doesn't give any readily apparent support to divorced Catholics. Many years ago, the parish I was in at the time also didn't...until I spoke with "them" about it and, in fairly short order, there was a support group for divorced Catholics and even a retreat. Speak to your pastor about it or whomever is in charge of such groups at your parish. You could also call your diocesan offices and find out if there are any such groups at neighboring parishes. I also suggest, as I so often do, going to <a href="http://www.DivorcedCatholic.com" rel="nofollow">www.DivorcedCatholic.com</a> and checking out their programs. They have one that they've "taught" in parishes and that can be purchased by parishes...you could become a teacher of it yourself if you felt so inclined. I wish you the best in locating - or helping to create - what you and others in your area need. Manya Annette,
I’m sorry your parish doesn’t give any readily apparent support to divorced Catholics. Many years ago, the parish I was in at the time also didn’t…until I spoke with “them” about it and, in fairly short order, there was a support group for divorced Catholics and even a retreat. Speak to your pastor about it or whomever is in charge of such groups at your parish. You could also call your diocesan offices and find out if there are any such groups at neighboring parishes. I also suggest, as I so often do, going to http://www.DivorcedCatholic.com and checking out their programs. They have one that they’ve “taught” in parishes and that can be purchased by parishes…you could become a teacher of it yourself if you felt so inclined.

I wish you the best in locating – or helping to create – what you and others in your area need.
Manya

]]> By: Annette http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-837 Annette Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:36:05 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-837 There is so much talk about marriage, improving and preserving it, blah, blah, blah, in Protestant and Catholic circles. Yet when a marriage does fail, there is no talk about what to do to help the divorcee pick up the pieces. Its as if we have fallen off the face of the earth. We're "failures", we "didn't try hard enough" or "didn't pray enough". My parish of 700 families has nothing in the way of help or support for divorced persons. We're still here, we still contribute money to the parish, and we still attend Mass. Yet we are the invisible men and women. There is so much talk about marriage, improving and preserving it, blah, blah, blah, in Protestant and Catholic circles.

Yet when a marriage does fail, there is no talk about what to do to help the divorcee pick up the pieces. Its as if we have fallen off the face of the earth. We’re “failures”, we “didn’t try hard enough” or “didn’t pray enough”. My parish of 700 families has nothing in the way of help or support for divorced persons. We’re still here, we still contribute money to the parish, and we still attend Mass. Yet we are the invisible men and women.

]]> By: Annette http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-765 Annette Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:19:26 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-765 I have been married three times and have three annulments. So it is possible to receive an annulment - if I can you can too. I have no plans to remarry, but the annulment process was an instrument in my healing the wounds of divorce. I now know, for instance, that I was not meant to be married even though "society" made me feel that having a husband and a family was the only socially acceptable way to live my life. I would have been much happier as a single but that was not even presented as an option. I am a convert to the Catholic faith. How I wish I had grown up as a Catholic! It is true that Protestant communities are much more accepting of divorce and divorced people. But remember, we have the Holy Sacraments of Grace given to us by God to strengthen us in our life's journey. Peace. I have been married three times and have three annulments. So it is possible to receive an annulment – if I can you can too.

I have no plans to remarry, but the annulment process was an instrument in my healing the wounds of divorce. I now know, for instance, that I was not meant to be married even though “society” made me feel that having a husband and a family was the only socially acceptable way to live my life. I would have been much happier as a single but that was not even presented as an option.

I am a convert to the Catholic faith. How I wish I had grown up as a Catholic!

It is true that Protestant communities are much more accepting of divorce and divorced people. But remember, we have the Holy Sacraments of Grace given to us by God to strengthen us in our life’s journey.

Peace.

]]> By: Manya http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-608 Manya Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:59:20 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-608 Sarah, You bring up an interesting point. We have all tried to heal our marriages. I'm sure that after a divorce takes place, for some there is still hope and prayers for the marriage to be restored. I've also heard of couples remarrying each other again after divorce. I hope this happens for you. There comes a point when a person needs to let go and move on for their own emotional and physical health. I guess it's assumed that this moment usually comes by the time the divorce is finalized. Also, some of us have spouses who remarry soon after the divorce, which takes all hope for reconciling away. I remember the exact moment when I realized it was time for me to move on. It wasn't an easy thing to do because I wanted my relationship with my husband and I'd held on and fought for it for so long. But there was actually a moment when it became crystal clear to me that it was time to stop and refocus my energy. I'm sorry you feel alone as a Catholic trying to heal her relationship after divorce. I don't know what Protestant communities have in the way of support after divorce but I'd love to hear more about that if/when you have time. I don't believe that having the possibility of receiving a Declaration of Nullity is the reason Catholics don't have the same sort of support. God bless and bring you peace. Manya Sarah,
You bring up an interesting point.

We have all tried to heal our marriages. I’m sure that after a divorce takes place, for some there is still hope and prayers for the marriage to be restored. I’ve also heard of couples remarrying each other again after divorce. I hope this happens for you.

There comes a point when a person needs to let go and move on for their own emotional and physical health. I guess it’s assumed that this moment usually comes by the time the divorce is finalized. Also, some of us have spouses who remarry soon after the divorce, which takes all hope for reconciling away.

I remember the exact moment when I realized it was time for me to move on. It wasn’t an easy thing to do because I wanted my relationship with my husband and I’d held on and fought for it for so long. But there was actually a moment when it became crystal clear to me that it was time to stop and refocus my energy.

I’m sorry you feel alone as a Catholic trying to heal her relationship after divorce. I don’t know what Protestant communities have in the way of support after divorce but I’d love to hear more about that if/when you have time. I don’t believe that having the possibility of receiving a Declaration of Nullity is the reason Catholics don’t have the same sort of support.

God bless and bring you peace.
Manya

]]> By: sarah http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-592 sarah Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:01:34 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-592 Is there support and help for those who are Catholic and have been divorced against their will but are praying for their marriage to be restored? I hear a lot about annulment and moving on, but what about healing what was broken? Just wondering, because I feel very alone as a Catholic with this stance, although for some reason there is support in the Protestant community, is this because they don't have annulments? God bless. Is there support and help for those who are Catholic and have been divorced against their will but are praying for their marriage to be restored? I hear a lot about annulment and moving on, but what about healing what was broken? Just wondering, because I feel very alone as a Catholic with this stance, although for some reason there is support in the Protestant community, is this because they don’t have annulments? God bless.

]]> By: Chris http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Chris Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:07:57 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-131 Hi Manya, This is just an FYI that Servant Books will publish a new book this fall titled "Annulment: 100 Questions and Answers for Catholics" written by two canon lawyers: Pete Vere, J.C.L., and Jacqui Rapp, J.D., J.C.L. The book will be available in October. Chris Hi Manya,

This is just an FYI that Servant Books will publish a new book this fall titled “Annulment: 100 Questions and Answers for Catholics” written by two canon lawyers: Pete Vere, J.C.L., and Jacqui Rapp, J.D., J.C.L. The book will be available in October.

Chris

]]> By: Manya http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Manya Sun, 31 May 2009 16:30:04 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-106 Thank you. God bless you and help you. Manya Thank you. God bless you and help you.

Manya

]]> By: maeann66 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-105 maeann66 Sat, 30 May 2009 16:28:50 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-105 Thanks for this post. Have been separated from my husband of almost 10 years for 8 yeras now. I have had the papers for annulment for years but they remain untouched. I am not ready yet to retrieve all the unpleasant and hurtful memories of my life and write them down. I can’t as yet go through all those again. But this post gives me an assurance that there is someone who understands what I am going through. Thanks for this post. Have been separated from my husband of almost 10 years for 8 yeras now. I have had the papers for annulment for years but they remain untouched. I am not ready yet to retrieve all the unpleasant and hurtful memories of my life and write them down. I can’t as yet go through all those again. But this post gives me an assurance that there is someone who understands what I am going through.

]]> By: Manya http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Manya Fri, 01 May 2009 16:28:07 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-104 Lizzie, Thank you for writing! I’m SO glad you and your fiance want to marry in the Catholic church. The answer to your question is, “Probably but you need to speak with a priest to get all the information you need.” I don’t know all the ins and outs of the annulment process and directives of the church regarding previous marriages in other religions. I believe your fiance will need to go through the annulment process, which I highly recommend and encourage him to do. Believe me that it will benefit you both! Please make an appointment as soon as possible for both of you to speak with a priest about this. Bless you both. By the way, I’d love it if you’d give me an update. :) Manya Lizzie,
Thank you for writing! I’m SO glad you and your fiance want to marry in the Catholic church.

The answer to your question is, “Probably but you need to speak with a priest to get all the information you need.” I don’t know all the ins and outs of the annulment process and directives of the church regarding previous marriages in other religions. I believe your fiance will need to go through the annulment process, which I highly recommend and encourage him to do. Believe me that it will benefit you both!

Please make an appointment as soon as possible for both of you to speak with a priest about this.

Bless you both.
By the way, I’d love it if you’d give me an update. :)

Manya

]]> By: Lizzie http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/divorced-and-still-catholic/comment-page-1/#comment-103 Lizzie Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:27:06 +0000 http://divorcedcatholicmoms.com/?page_id=541#comment-103 My fiance and I want to be married in a Catholic church. We were both raised Catholic. I have never been married, but he has. He was married in a Lutheran church since his now ex-wife was of Lutheran faith. So my question is can we be married in the Catholic church and if so what is the process? Thanks. My fiance and I want to be married in a Catholic church. We were both raised Catholic. I have never been married, but he has. He was married in a Lutheran church since his now ex-wife was of Lutheran faith. So my question is can we be married in the Catholic church and if so what is the process? Thanks.

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