Resources for Troubled Marriages or the Divorced

Please do not hesitate to contact Father Sheedy at 319-624-2228 if you are needing some additional counseling regarding your marriage or in dealing with your divorce.  He can give you some guidance or refer you to a local Christian Counselor.
If you are a Catholic that is separated or divorced, then it is important for you to know that you are very warmly welcomed at St. Mary's Catholic Church! We are your domestic church family and are here to support you in any way we can.  If you would like to see more resources available from our parish, please contact Lindsey Carey at lindsey@solonstmary.org.
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Online Resources for Troubled Marriages 
This website has a number of different resources listed for you to choose which one would work best for you and your spouse.  If you would like to get one of these programs started at our parish, please contact Lindsey Carey at lindsey@solonstmary.org.


DivorcedCatholic.org provides support and tools to help those move forward after a divorce and annulment (including some free, online workshops).


The Catholic's Divorce Survival Guide resource developed by author and national speaker Rose Sweet for people going through divorce as well as the family.
Weekend Retreats 
  • Beginning  Experience-Designed to help you bring closure to the past and provide support and hope as you move forward.  Click HERE for the retreats nearest you.



  • Retrouvaille-A weekend away to help those couples who are having ongoing challenges and struggles in their marriage.  This retreat is designed to help you re-discover each other.  Click HERE to find locations and weekends.



  • Rainbows-Support program for children experiencing loss through death or divorce. Nearest class is in Wellman, Iowa.  Click HERE for contact info.  
Divorce Facts and FAQs

Annulment
An annulment does not mean that your marriage did not exist.  It does not deny there was a relationship, it just means that there was something missing that the Church requires for marriage.


It simply means that the marriage, which was thought to be valid according to Church Law, was lacking in at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union.


To read more about the five essential elements that a Catholic Marriage results from, as well as other FAQ's, check out the For Your Marriage website.



Another great resource that explains why the Catholic Church believes in annulment's, as well as to gain more insight into the process and the difference between divorce and annulment, click HERE.