Separated and Divorced Catholics...

...and the Church

"I earnestly call upon pastors and the whole community of the faithful to help the divorced and with solicitous care, to make sure that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church, for as baptized persons they can and indeed must share in her life. They should be encouraged to listen to the Word of God, to attend the sacrifice of the Mass, to persevere in prayer...to bring up their children in the Christian faith, to cultivate the spirit and practice of penance and thus implore, day by day, God’s grace. Let the Church pray for them, encourage them and show herself a merciful mother and thus sustain them in faith and hope."
Pope John Paul II, On the Family, #84

"There may be families who do not understand or believe they are a domestic church...Perhaps they consider their family too ‘broken’ to be used for the Lord’s purposes. But remember, a family is holy not because it is perfect but because God’s grace is at work in it, helping it to set out anew every day on the way of love...Wherever a family exists and love still moves through its members, grace is present. Nothing - not even divorce or death - can place limits on God’s love."
USCCB, Follow the Way of Love, pg. 5

...and the Marriage Tribunal

• Divorced/remarried Catholics are not excommunicated.
• Annulments do not cost thousands of dollars.
• Someone married for a long time can get an annulment.
• Someone with children can get an annulment.
• Annulments do not take years to process and do not have to be processed in Rome.
• Your "ex" does not need to cooperate in the annulment process

...and Parish Life

Separated/divorced Catholics are welcome at Mass and Church activities.

Separated/divorced Catholics can be sponsors at Baptism and Confirmation.

Separated/divorced Catholics can receive the sacraments of Eucharist and    Reconciliation.

Separated/divorced Catholics can have their children baptized and receive other    sacraments.

...Support Groups

Separated and Divorced Catholic (SDC) support groups are peer ministry programs which offer emotional and spiritual support for Catholics who are going through, or who have already experienced, separation or divorce. SDC support groups seek to provide information and resources which assist members to accept their present situation and to prepare for the future. Meetings take place at parish-based sites throughout the archdiocese.

...Divorce and Beyond

Divorce and Beyond is a program designed to help separated and divorced persons to gain a perspective on their situation and begin anew. An easy to follow leader’s manual helps non-professionals present the program effectively. Contact the Family Life Office (215-587-5639) for Divorce and Beyond materials and suggestions for introducing it in a parish/cluster.

Contact Tara Seyfer, M.T.S
Phone: 215-587-5639
Email: famlife@adphila.org

The following is our most recent listing of Separated/Divorced Catholics (SDC) groups:

Divorce and Beyond

BUCKS COUNTY:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
1200 Park Avenue, Bensalem
9 week program, offered twice a year.
Call the rectory (215-245-6122) or 215-514-6837 for dates.

St. Bede the Venerable
1071 Holland Rd.
Holland, PA
215-357-5720

Separated/Divorced Support Groups:

PHILADELPHIA/CENTER CITY:

St. Patrick's Hall
20th & Locust Streets
Philadelphia
(215) 238-0162 or projectembrace@yahoo.com

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

Mary Mother of the Redeemer
1325 Upper State Road
North Wales
215-362-7400 or 267-987-8834

BUCKS COUNTY:

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
E. State St., Doylestown
3rd Monday, 7:30PM
(“People of Hope;” Sept through May)
215-348-4190 or 215-348-1125

DELAWARE COUNTY:

Holy Cross
Bishop & Springfield Rds.
Springfield
Discussion/lecture group on 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30PM; they also have a 9-week “Separation, Divorce, and Beyond” program held twice a year starting in Sept. and March, on 9 consecutive Sunday evenings.
610-259-9336

St. Joseph
500 Woodlawn Avenue
Collingdale
1st Monday; 7:30PM
610-461-9351