Help for Blended Families

[tnbella7]

Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At my parish, I am on our Parish Council and we were approached by a couple parishioners to request help on a more personal level regarding divorce and grief. To that end, we set up a couple really great programs, one called Catholics Surviving Divorce and one called GriefCare. Both have been really successful and both follow about an eight week course, led by trained, compassionate leaders and both programs watch a video each week dealing with on point topics such as dealing with anger, finances, parenting solo, etc. and then they discuss.

Well, this week I was approached by a parishioner about help with blending families when you remarry. I don’t know of any “video” programs that deal with this. Do any parishes out there have a program dealing with this? We have a couple Catholic counsellors who would be happy to meet with these families, but I was hoping to give them some direction as to what has worked successfully at other parishes. We are a large parish, and I know just these two families can’t be the only one’s dealing with this. Blended families have special challenges and I’m not looking at individual counseling, more just an overview for what may be coming down the pike. Help! And thank you in advance for your advice and recommendations.

 

[pianistclare]

Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At my parish, I am on our Parish Council and we were approached by a couple parishioners to request help on a more personal level regarding divorce and grief. To that end, we set up a couple really great programs, one called Catholics Surviving Divorce and one called GriefCare. Both have been really successful and both follow about an eight week course, led by trained, compassionate leaders and both programs watch a video each week dealing with on point topics such as dealing with anger, finances, parenting solo, etc. and then they discuss.

Well, this week I was approached by a parishioner about help with blending families when you remarry. I don’t know of any “video” programs that deal with this. Do any parishes out there have a program dealing with this? We have a couple Catholic counsellors who would be happy to meet with these families, but I was hoping to give them some direction as to what has worked successfully at other parishes. We are a large parish, and I know just these two families can’t be the only one’s dealing with this. Blended families have special challenges and I’m not looking at individual counseling, more just an overview for what may be coming down the pike. Help! And thank you in advance for your advice and recommendations.

Our Deacons meet with people who are considering marriage. Whether first or second.
I would think a more personal, private set-up would be well received. Talk to your pastor.
Peace.

 

[tnbella7]

Yes, our engaged couples go thru PreCana and a weekend thru the diocese. I’m looking for maybe a little more direction before I present this information to our Priest and Parish Council. Thank you.