Overview
Divorce is not an event but a process, a process that most did not realize they would need to undergo. The pain of divorce is far more reaching than just with the couple. Divorce affects the entire community surrounding the divorcing couple. This process is a time of grief and great pain. It is a form of death. For within it, one is experiencing the loss of a dream which he or she had envisioned would last till death. The individual must face that he or she is single again and will most likely have to inherit many responsibilities that would have been shared with his or her spouse. It is important that an individual seeks assistance and help at this time of grief. Self-care is vital. The children, one’s job, or extended family will all suffer more if one fails to maintain his or her health.
What Support Does The Church Offer To Divorced Persons?
The Church understands the pain of those caught in this situation. When divorce is the only possible recourse, the Church offers her support to those involved and encourages them to remain close to the Lord through frequent reception of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 287)
How Does The Church View Divorce?
The Church’s view on divorce remains faithful to the understanding that God, who authored marriage, created this special union to be one of permanence. As we see in the scripture, Jesus taught about this permanence. (Matthew 19:3-6). With this belief, the Church does not recognize a civil divorce because the State cannot dissolve what cannot be dissolved. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2382-2386)
For more questions regarding the Church’s stance on divorce, visit For Your Marriage, an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Upcoming Events
Workshop Series for Divorced or Separated Catholics
1st workshop on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 from 7 pm to 9 pm
Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center
Catholics who are divorced or separated are invited to a workshop on friendship & dating by Kelly Klaus, LMFT. This workshop is a follow-up to one of the breakout sessions at the Diocese of Orange “Remain in my love” conference last spring and is hosted by the Office for Family Life. Attendees can join in person at the Pastoral Center or via Zoom. For more information, please see registration form.
Kelly is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a practice focused on healing from divorce. A divorced mother of three children, she is now the proud parent of three successfully launched adults. Kelly married Sergio, and both have previously served as speakers for the To Trust Again marriage preparation program in the Diocese of Orange. She is also the past Executive Director of the National Catholic Divorce Ministry.
Programs & Resources in the Diocese of Orange
Beginning Experience®
A weekend retreat designed for those have experienced the loss of a loved one through separation, divorce or death. This weekend is designed to be a time of closure on the past and renewed hope for the future.
Vision:A hurting people, healed, transformed, and free again to love themselves, others, and God.
Mission:The purpose of the Beginning Experience ministry is to facilitate the grief resolution process for adults and children who have suffered a loss through death, divorce or separation, thereby enabling them to again love themselves, others and God.
We accomplish the purpose by offering quality, copyrighted, grief resolution programs presented by trained peer ministers. These programs are designed to move grieving people through a transformational process to a new beginning in their lives.
We believe that through resolving the grief of a significant loss:
- Individuals participate in the death and resurrection of Christ as he lives in the world today;
- that those working through this experience can effectively walk with others for whom the experience is new and hard;
- and that the invitation to recover offers an opportunity for life transformation, and for freeing individuals to love self, others and God in new and deeper ways.
For more information contact:
- Kim Dodson: 714-336-3221
- Melissa Orosco: 949-697-3352
- Carol Koppenheffer: 714-349-9177 or koppenheffer.c@outlook.com
Upcoming Weekend Retreats:
If you are grieving the loss of your marriage through death, divorce or separation, join us at the ProSanctity Center in Fullerton on October 11-13, 2024. A trained team leads participants through a healing and growth program. If you are ready to move through your feelings of grief, into the light of a new beginning and hope, this weekend may be for you. Contact Kim at 714-336-3221 or Melissa (bilingual, Spanish) at 949-697-3352 for more information. Early registration is encouraged. Click here to register online.
Support Groups Meetings:
Divorced, Catholic, Now What?
Journey of Hope Divorce Recovery Series
St. Joseph Parish in Placentia is sponsoring a 13-week Journey of Hope Divorce Recovery Series on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm beginning Wednesday, September 11 to December 11, 2024. The series offers much needed support, healing and help to answer questions asked as a result of a separation or divorce.
The program is designed to help divorced and separated Catholics recover by more fully learning and living their faith. The sessions will be held in person and online.
For more information or to register, call or email Carol Koppenheffer at 714 528-1487 or ckoppenheffer@stjosephplacentia.org.
External and Online Catholic Programs & Resources
Catholic Divorce Ministry
North American Conference of Separated & Divorced Catholics provides Support for families experiencing separation and divorce.
Regional 14 Representative:
Julie Monell-Auzenne
Phone: 213-637-7249
Phone: 855-727-2269
Fax: 855-729-8751
E-Mail: office@nacsdc.org
Abounding Joy Ministry
As a certified Divorce Healing Coach, Carolyn Klika’s passion is working with individuals and couples to heal their hearts and restore their relationship with God, their loved ones, and themselves.
Carolyn Klika walked through an unwanted tragic divorce and developed Build a New Life Workshop™ Divorce Support & Healing Program using the principles that made possible an almost impossible AMICABLE divorce and achieved hope and healing.
She brings that deep personal understanding to your life struggles and can give you massive support, each step of the way.
Carolyn founded Abounding Joy Ministry and serves as a certified Catholic Divorce Healing Coach, Life Coach, and Relationship Mediator with extensive training in Psychology, Theology of the Body, Healing Ministry, Negotiation, Interpersonal Communication, and Spiritual Direction. Her work with struggling relationships and hearts, even at the point of despair shows that with God, there is always hope for healing and restoration.
Check out this twice-monthly virtual support group that meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday: Catholic Divorce Support Group 2X/month
8pm Eastern/ 7Central/ 6Mountain/ 5Pacific 60-75 minutes
Everyone is welcome to “Come and See’ to determine if it’s the right support for them. Let Carolyn know of your interest and for the Zoom link.
Divorced Catholic
Programs created just for divorced Catholics to help you move forward with hope and confidence.
Life-Giving Wounds
Life-Giving Wounds is a ministry for adult children of divorced or separated parents. Southern California has a local chapter that serves the Diocese of Orange along with the Diocese of San Diego and Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Visit us for more information and to register for upcoming local retreats or a support group.
St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family & Faith
The Mercedarian friars offer priestly consultations and other resources for families in crisis and for those affected by divorce and separation. For more information on their services, visit their website For the Divorced at https://www.nonnatus.org/forthedivorced.html
Other Programs & Resources
DivorceCare
Divorce Care is a seminar/small group resource designed to help your church effectively minister to people hurting because of separation and divorce.
Free to Love Again
This divorce recovery non-profit is dedicated to helping men, women and their children who have or are experiencing divorce grieve, heal, grow, gain hope and be free to love and be loved again. Based in Orange County, this faith-based ministry provides workshops that will facilitate the process of your ability to go forward with hope and wholeness towards being free to love and be loved again.