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Divorced and Separated Support Groups

God will often meet you in the caring presence of others. A number of parishes have support groups that you can attend.  Support groups can be particularly helpful with grief work and for building a support system. You will meet others who can understand what you’re going through because they have too. You can also be of great help to those who are just beginning. 

Active Parish Support Groups for the Separated and Divorced in the Archdiocese of Atlanta as of February 2008 

(Alphabetical by city)

Note: Most support groups are open to all; you do not have to be a member of the parish.  Always call the parish first to confirm time, date and location of the meeting, or to register if needed.

1. Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4465 Northside Dr. NW, Atlanta (404-252-4513):  New on-going support group for anyone dealing with loss begins Wednesday February 6, 2008.  Contact Deacon Bill McCarthy at extension 232 or deaconbill@hsccatl.com.
2. St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Dr., NE, Atlanta (770-394-3896):  Separated, Widowed and Divorced Group meets every first and third Tuesday night from 7:30-9:00PM in room 233, Ministry Building.  Ongoing group, new members can come to any group.  Call Mary Lou Friedly at 770-424-6150.
3. St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4401 Prestley Mill Rd., Douglasville (770-489-7115): A nine week program based on A Time for Healing will be offered periodically throughout the year.  Contact the parish for more information.
4. Catholic Church of St. Monica, 1700 Buford Highway, Duluth (678-584-9947): Seeking Oneself, Understanding Loss (SOUL).  Seeking Oneself, Understanding Loss (SOUL).  A twelve week long series using a program called ReBuilding. Open to any adult suffering the loss of a significant love relationship. Contact Patrick Klein, the Director of Adult Education and Faith Formation at ext. 12 or patrick.klein@saintmonicas.com to get more information, register for future groups and/or if you have need for immediate support.
5. Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 6439 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch (770-945-2244)  Using the Divorce Care program, this support group meets weekly on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00PM for viewing the video series followed by discussion and support.  All are welcome and participants can join at any time.  Clergy discussion sessions also held periodically.  Call Mary Armento at 770-967-1749 or David Fogarty at 770-843-1638 for more information. Child care is available.
6. Catholic Church of St. Ann, 4905 Roswell Rd, NE, Marietta (770-552-6400 ext. 6020): Open-ended support group, open to all.  Meets every Tuesday night at 8:00PM.  Call the parish for location and information.
7. St. Joseph Catholic Church, 87 Lacy St., Marietta (770-422-5633):  Open-ended support group, that meets every Thursday at 7PM in the PMC Building. Contact the parish for more information.
8. St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 3 Village Rd., Newnan (770-253-1888): An eight week series using the Divorce and Beyond program.  The group closes to new members after the second meeting of the series. Call Sharon Burke at 770-317-7990 for more information.  You can also call the parish for information about upcoming groups or if you need immediate support.
9. Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 101 Walt Banks Road, Peachtree City (770-487-7672):  An eight week series using the Divorce and Beyond program will be offered two times per year.  Please call the parish for more information and to register. 
10. Multiple location programs: Divorced, Catholic, Now What? (Formerly known as Journey of Hope), is a program developed by Lisa Duffy, a parishioner of St. Peter Chanel.  The series consists of 16 weekly sessions with separate groups for men and women.  The groups are held at various parishes in the archdiocese.  Registration closes to new members after the first several meetings.  Call 404-493-2190 for information, location and registration.  A book and DVD program is now available for in-home use.  Visit www.divorcedcatholic.com for more information.

Other parishes may begin support groups this year, so call parishes that are close by to find out.  This is also a good way to let them know that interest and need exists.  Or call the Family Life Office at 404-885-7209 for information not available at the time of this posting.

Definitions

Support group:  A time and place for people facing similar problems and challenges to come together for mutual support, sharing of both problems and solutions, healing from loss and grief, and for personal and spiritual growth.  Support groups are by their nature intended to be confidential and to have one or two people who serve as facilitators.  Social activities may be linked to a support group but are not the primary purpose.

Open-ended support group:  This format is open to people at any stage of healing, from those just being faced with the loss of  their spouse to those who are farther along in coping and rebuilding their lives.  Ideally, you will meet people who have a unique understanding of the challenges you face because they have been through them.  The group is not built around a program that begins and ends, so new people can come to any meeting, and there is no commitment to stay for a certain period of time, although it is recommended to try the group a few times before deciding if it is right for you.

Programs:  Some support groups will be centered on a specific program using a book or video series as the basis for learning and discussion.  These groups usually have an identifiable beginning and end.  A close-ended group like this may be open to new people coming in at any point, but is more likely to close the group at or near the beginning.  Talk to the group’s contact person about their specific content and structure.