Ministry to the Divorced and Remarried

💔 Ministry to Divorced and Remarried Persons

“The Church is a family of families, constantly enriched by the lives of all her members.” — Amoris Laetitia, 87

At Holy Rosary Parish, we recognize that life’s journey can be complex and sometimes painful. For those who have experienced the breakdown of a marriage and have entered into a new union, we want you to know: you are not alone, and you are not outside the love and care of the Church.

🌿 A Ministry of Compassion and Accompaniment

The Catholic Church upholds the sacredness of marriage, yet it also acknowledges the real struggles many face. Our ministry to divorced and remarried persons seeks to:

• Welcome with dignity all who desire to grow in faith and community
• Accompany with compassion those navigating the challenges of separation, divorce, or remarriage
• Discern paths forward in light of Church teaching, personal conscience, and pastoral care
• Foster healing and hope through prayer, conversation, and spiritual support

🕊️ What We Offer

• Confidential pastoral conversations and discernment support with our clergy for those seeking to understand their place in the life of the Church.
• Guidance on annulments and the healing they can bring
• Small group gatherings for prayer, reflection, and mutual support
• Opportunities for spiritual growth through retreats, Scripture study, and the sacraments
• Discernment support for those seeking to understand their place in the life of the Church

🤝 You Are Part of the Body of Christ

Pope Francis reminds us that the Church is called to be a “field hospital,” not a fortress. If you are divorced and remarried, or if you carry wounds from a broken relationship, we invite you to reach out. There is a place for you here in the heart of the Church.

Our pastoral approach is to encourage those in situations of separation or divorce and remarriage to work to resolve the problem, if possible. We strive to clear up false ideas about the annulment process and to clarify how to reconcile previous marriages. It is often not as complicated as people think.

Most importantly, this ministry is associated with the healing ministry of the Church. If you find yourself in this situation, please make an appointment with the parish priest to discuss your problem confidentially, as we aim to clear up much of the misunderstanding and misinformation about what this process involves.

For further information about annulments, please see the Diocese of Hamilton website by following this link: Marriage Tribunal – Diocese of Hamilton

“No one can be condemned forever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel!” — Amoris Laetitia, 297