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Divorce care group starting soon

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Attempting to pick up the pieces of one’s life after a divorce is complex, confusing and often heartbreaking. Does the Church still care about the divorced? Yes… A hallmark of Christ’s ministry was His identification with those who are hurting and suffering. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.” One might add, “I was divorced and you still care about me and you did not abandon me.” The Church wants to help in the process of healing after divorce. St. John Paul II affirmed many times that Catholics who are divorced and those who are remarried outside the Church are still members of the Church; they are not excommunicated, and they have the right to worship and the right to pastoral care. Pope Francis has made mercy the center of his pontificate and calls the Church a “field hospital” to heal the wounded. He emphasizes the “art of accompaniment” by compassionate people who walk with those on a journey to their healing.

In response to the above, Sacred Steps grew out of the experiences of the Cleveland Diocesan Marriage and Family Ministry Office and the Tribunal. Recently, Bishop Perez has granted his approval to establish the ministry throughout the diocese. St. Joseph Church in Strongsville will be the first parish to develop the program. Sacred Steps is led by deacons on a spiritual journey to a deeper faith in God, reconciliation with the Church and inner healing. Prayer, scripture, catechesis and psychosocial learning exercises are combined to accompany the divorced pilgrims through a year-long spiritual pilgrimage of healing, enlightenment, conversion and spiritual transformation.  

Our next Sacred Steps Program will begin at St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville with a retreat on Sept. 21-22 starting with Benediction at 7 p.m. on Friday night. It will continue on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 8:30 a.m. and ending with 4:30 p.m. Mass. Our first Sacred Steps meeting will begin on Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. (ending at 9 p.m.). In addition to the general meeting, there is a men’s and women’s support group. Contact Deacon Bob Lester at 440-238-5555 for further information. 

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