Hurting and Healing The Center for Family Ministry recognizes the strains and pains that accompany the life cycle of marriage and family. We offer programs, training, and consultation to assist individuals and families in finding healing and wholeness.

Retrouvaille

Retrouvaille (pronounced re tro vi) is a national organization which offers a weekend program for troubled marriages. The Retrouvaille weekend provides a Catholic spiritual context for working carefully on one’s marriage. Through presentations, private reflection, and dialogue, couples whose marriages are seriously troubled and who may be contemplating divorce are invited to reflect on their marriage and on what they can do to save it. For more information, call (708) 802-1830. Please check our events calendar for scheduled weekends.

Annulment Support

Although the Marriage Tribunal, (815) 722-2256, is directly responsible for the annulment procedures in the diocese, The Center for Family Ministry offers information and education to divorced individuals who are seeking a declaration of nullity regarding their previous marriage bond. Through the Annulment Support and Process Days, divorced Catholics investigating the possibility of an annulment are offered guidance and support in a safe and caring environment. Information nights and other workshops are also available periodically. Led by trained professionals, these programs are sponsored by The Center for Family Ministry in collaboration with the Marriage Tribunal. Please call our Associate Director, Desirée Marciani, (815) 838-5334, for information on the annulment process
We encourage interested persons to read Myths and Truths about Annulment.

Clearing House

The Center acts as a clearinghouse and source of information for a wide variety of independent family movements and groups, such as Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Christian Family Movement (Movimiento Familiar Cristiano), Parenting for Peace and Justice, Stepfamily Association of America.

Referrals

Although The Center for Family Ministry does not offer counseling, the nature of our programs is such that participants often find the need to seek professional resources. The Director, Dr. James Healy, and Associate Director, Desiree Marciani, are available to help in this process: (815) 838-5334.

RAINBOWS Program

The RAINBOWS Program is designed to assist children who are grieving the loss of a parent or other significant relationship through death or divorce. Established groups meet regularly in churches, schools, and agencies at various locations throughout the diocese. The purpose of RAINBOWS is to facilitate and encourage the healing process and to teach positive coping skills as families adjust during these stressful times. For general information, to obtain the name of a RAINBOWS site in your area, or to start up a new site, please call our Associate Director, Desirée Marciani, (815) 838-5334, who is also a Registered RAINBOWS Director, at The Center for Family Ministry or call RAINBOWS International Headquarters in Rolling Meadows at (847) 952-1770.  Please check our events calendar for scheduled weekends.

Elizabeth Ministry

Elizabeth Ministry is a parish-based outreach to women in special times of motherhood. Sponsored by The Center for Family Ministry, it is based on Jesus’ vision of the goodness, beauty and truth of human life. The purpose of this ministry is to affirm, support, encourage and assist women during their childbearing years. Women gather in groups, conduct individual home visits, and sponsor activities that foster the positive value of family in church life. Through the participation and peer support of Elizabeth Ministry, women often experience greater self-confidence in ministering and leading others within church and society. Parish training and ongoing enrichment programs for Elizabeth Ministry are sponsored by the Center. Please call our Associate Director, Desirée Marciani, (815) 838-5334, for information on this ministry.

Peer Support Groups: Divorce or Separation, Bereavement/Grief, Training

The Center for Family Ministry offers training and enrichment for those starting or running support groups for the divorced and separated and for the bereaved in our parishes and communities. In  addition, the Center has produced and maintains up-to-date listings of the support groups currently functioning in our parishes and communities.  For information regarding peer support groups or peer support group training, call the Associate Director, Desirée Marciani:  (815) 838-5334.

Joyful Again! Retreat

This program is for widows and widowers who want to resolve the grief they feel inside and adjust to the many changes that occur after the death of a spouse. Video presentations, along with input from trained facilitators, who have themselves experienced the painful loss of a spouse, are combined with private reflection and group discussion time. The two day experience has helped hundreds of widowed individuals view life with new hope, joy and enthusiasm. The Center for Family Ministry sponsors Joyful Again! Retreats twice per year at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville, Illinois. For further information or to register, call Charlotte Hrubes at (708) 354-7211. Please check our events calendar for upcoming weekend dates.

Networking with Other Community Resources

The Center for Family Ministry can help people who are in crisis by connecting them with the appropriate resource in the community, whether that be a domestic abuse shelter, a sliding fee scale counselor, self-help programs for substance abuse, or other concerns.

Tree of Light Infant Memorial Mass

This annual Mass, in remembrance of babies who have been lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, other pregnancy losses and infant or early childhood death, is usually held in the late fall. There is a special outdoor tree-lighting ceremony for family members to commemorate these babies. A reception is held following the Mass. Ministers from Elizabeth Ministry groups throughout the diocese assist in hosting this event. Please check our Events Calendar for the date of the upcoming Mass or call the Center for Family Ministry at 815-838-5334 for further information.
 

Annual Conference 

Our annual conference is especially designed for those who are divorced and widowed and those who minister to them.  The next conference will be held on March 28, 2009. There is a fee for the day, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and materials.  Please check back later for more information or call the Center for Family Ministry at 815-838-5334.
 
 

The Center wishes to bring a family perspective to parish ministry. We offer consultation with parishes regarding any family issue, and are particularly interested in the formation and maintenance of family ministry teams and commissions.