DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE
OFFICE OF FAMILY & LIFE eNEWS
Surviving Divorce with Rose Sweet
Divorce Ministry Facilitator Training on March 12, 2022
8:30am – 3pm
Cost: $50.00 includes material, coffee, lunch (NOTE: The Office of Family & Life will pay the $50.00 dollar registration fee for Diocese of Evansville attendees)
Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center
1402 Southern Ave, Beech Grove, IN 46107
To reserve a room for the night before, contact:
Sr. Sheila Fitzpatrick at (317) 788-7581 or email facilities@benedictinn.org
Registration is open from January 31st to March 1st, 2022
For more information, contact: Claudia Corona (317) 236-7310 or Ccorona@archindy.org
Life-Giving Wounds Spring Virtual Support Group for Adult Children of Divorce
Our virtual support group for men and women who are adult children of divorce or separation (ACODs) launches February 28. We’ll meet over Zoom for six weeks, Monday evenings, February 28 – April 4, from 8:15-10 p.m. Each session includes prayer, a presentation, and guided small group breakouts led by trained peer leaders who themselves are ACODs. Topics include navigating addictions in the family, living the virtue of hope, personal witnesses on overcoming the trauma of family wounds, forging a strong marriage as an ACOD, and more. Cost is $110 / $55 for college students or consecrated (early bird price before Feb. 10).
LIFE GIVING WOUNDS IS A THREE DAY RETREAT AND TEAM TRAINING FOR ADULT CHILDREN OF DIVORCED OR SEPARATED PARENTS. THIS RETREAT IS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO.
THOSE WHO NEED HEALING AND CLOSURE BECAUSE OF PARENTS WHO ARE SEPARATED OR DIVORCED AND THOSE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF A FUTURE LEADERSHIP TEAM IN THIS MINISTRY SHOULD ATTEND.
CANCELLED: APRIL 22-23, 2022 (TWO DAY RETREAT) CONTACT ME FOR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING IF NEEDED
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 (ONE DAY RETREAT)
Walking with Moms in Need is a resource for our parishes, and is supported by the Diocese of Evansville and the USCCB.This interactive map provides information regarding resources for pregnant moms, children, and families.
We are called to the Gospel of Life and in this calling we support those in need spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
George P. Matysek Jr., Catholic Review
November 23, 2021
Faced with homelessness and mental health challenges, a young Maryland woman didn’t know where to turn when she found herself pregnant and alone over the summer.
Not knowing what else to do, the woman’s grandmother reached out to a parishioner of St. Stephen. Through the intervention of one of the Bradshaw parish’s lay leaders, a staff member at the parish ultimately connected the grandmother with the Gabriel Network at St. Mark in Catonsville – part of a regional organization that helps pregnant mothers with material and other resources.
“They got her the help she desperately needed,” said Rachel Muneses, team leader of the Walking with Moms in Need outreach at St. Stephen and Holy Spirit in Joppa, a new parish-based pro-life initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Within a couple weeks, she found housing and got the medication she needed for her mental health issues. It showed that there are resources out there. People just need to be made aware of them.” . . .
Bishop Bernard E. “Ned” Shlesinger III,
The Georgia Bulletin
December 21, 2021
… Every adult in our parishes should know how to refer a pregnant woman in need to the resources available to her. God referred Mary to the upright man named Joseph. All mothers need more than a teaching lesson from the church, they need our support and the resources of the church…
Each parish is best able to identify the local pregnancy resources that are available and to identify the potential gaps where resources are lacking.
Let us not allow any mother to feel that she is unsupported. May our parishes become “islands of mercy in a sea of indifference.”
Pregnancy Care Center volunteers are Walking with Moms in Need
Linda Behrens, The Messenger
January 4, 2022
… One such organization within the diocese that is serving pregnant and parenting mothers is the Pregnancy Care Center (PCC) in Belleville.
The Pregnancy Care Center is committed to the respect and dignity for life and enhancing the quality of human life by providing crisis intervention, support, guidance and education to persons in need…
PCC serves any pregnant mother or family with children up to age 5 in need. …The center provides pregnancy testing, prenatal vitamins, and guidance to agencies that may further help them with needs, such as doctors; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); public aid; housing; and more.
This month, we’re praying for the Supreme Court justices, clerks, and judicial process.
Background
After hearing oral argument on December 1, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court began their deliberation and opinion-writing process. Because nothing is final until the ink is dry on the published, released opinion of the Supreme Court, the next several months are critical.
Learn More
Key Points
Keep the monthly “key points” in mind when talking to friends or, if you are in a preaching role, consider incorporating them into a sermon or homily.
Common questions about Dobbs:
What is this Dobbs case, anyway?
What might happen?
Find Out
INTERESTED IN STARTING A SPONSOR COUPLE MARRIAGE PREP PROGRAM IN YOUR PARISH? CONTACT the O.F.L. FOR DETAILS.
The HOLY FAMILY CENTER FOR LIFE provides Natural Family Planning Education in the Diocese of Evansville.
Is your parish aware that Project Rachel is available for those whose lives have been touched in some way by abortion? This is a free resource to parishes through the Office of Family & Life
(NEW) Facilitators for Life Giving Wounds (Support for Adult Children of Divorce) This program is beginning in 2022. A group of 5 persons, who are themselves adult children of divorce, and a chaplain is needed to help bring other adult children of divorce the healing peace of Christ in their lives.
Unveiled Marriage Preparation Retreat Facilitator Couples
2 Facilitator Couples needed
There are always 2 Facilitator Couples per retreat
Weekend food and lodging expenses are covered
The UNVEILED marriage preparation program is a clearly defined step by step process agenda.
Parish Sponsor Couples
Parish level sponsor couple programs are opportunities for parishes to wrap around and celebrate their young adults as they prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage.
Natural Family Planning Presenter Couples Married couples who are trained or are using Natural Family Planning are needed to tell their stories and impart the NFP message to High School students and engaged couples.
Respect Life Coordinators are needed in several parishes.
Peace in the Mourning
This is a healing retreat for widows
A Planning Committee is forming now
Contact me if you would be interested in attending or planning
Contact me at egirten@evdio.org if you have questions about any of the above or are interested in volunteering for any of these ministries