Ministry resources designed to help adults heal from the trauma of their parents’ divorce or separation.
Experiencing and living through a parents’ divorce is traumatic. The negative effects last a lifetime often endured silently. Most people never seek healing or even recognize the many ways in which this damaging experience has affected them. Oftentimes, individuals are only aware of brokenness and loneliness, feeling unable to move forward on a path of healing.
Life-Giving Wounds Retreat
The mission of this retreat is to bring God’s healing to adults whose parents have divorced or separated.
A Life-Giving Wounds retreat hopes to be a significant turning point in your ongoing healing journey. With the help of our merciful Father, we hope to help retreatants see how their life-draining wounds can be transformed into life-giving resources of faith, hope, love, and joy, even in the deepest suffering.
On this 3 day (Friday evening – Sunday afternoon) retreat you will experience:
- Presentations by trained retreat leaders
- Guided small group discussions with peers
- Guided, silent journaling sessions
- Prayer and sacraments
Retreat presentations will cover the following topics:
- Personal identity & relationship with God
- Trust & relationships (dating and marriage)
- Navigating anger and anxiety
- Forgiveness
- Setting appropriate boundaries with family members
- Understanding redemptive suffering
- Personal experience of gratitude and joy
Price: $175 ($225 for outside Archdiocese with limited availability)
When: April 21-23, 2023
Where: Annunciation Heights, Estes Park, CO
Please review all three documents and policies listed below. You will be asked to sign them upon arrival at the retreat.
Please be aware that Annunciation Heights is primarily a summer camp. Attendees will need to bring their own sleeping bag, towel, pillow and toiletries. Sleeping accommodations will be shared with other attendees and include reduced occupancy and COVID-19 spacing. Space is limited to 30 attendees.
This retreat is for individuals who live within the Archdiocese of Denver. If you live outside our archdiocese and would like to attend, we can put you on a waiting list.
Cancellation Policy:
Full registration fee will be refunded if an individual cancels up to one month before the retreat starts. Refunds for this upcoming retreat will not be allowed if registrant cancels after March 16, 2023.
Registration Opens:
Online registration will open on February 1, 2023 at 8am
FAQ's
Who should attend the retreat?
Adults (18+) whose parents are separated or divorced. Though the retreat is Catholic, any religious affiliation is welcomed.
What is included in the price?
Sacraments, lodging, meals, pens, journals, and other materials are provided. Transportation is not included.
Can a divorced parent attend to learn how to help their child?
Unfortunately, the retreat is limited to children of divorce. Naturally, someone who is divorced but also a child of divorce can attend if they are seeking healing as a child of divorce.
I have more questions about this retreat, who can I call?
Please contact Deacon Don Weiss at dweiss53@q.com or call 970-226-1303.
Will there be future retreats?
Yes, check back for future dates.
Retreat Testimonials
“It was such a time of healing for me. It really helped me to get to know others going through the same thing.”
TF
“I would definitely recommend the retreat to others. I have a good understanding of the effects of my parents’ divorce and am able to better deal with some of the issues that come up from it.”
MM
“I think everyone in this situation should go on this retreat. We cannot find healing on our own and we need guidance. I have not found any other source to help this well!”
Anonymous
Resources
Primal Loss: The Now-Adult Children of Divorce Speak by Leila Miller
Seventy now-adult children of divorce give their candid and often heart-wrenching answers to eight questions. Despite vastly different circumstances and details, the similarities in their testimonies are striking; as the reader will discover, the death of a child’s family impacts the human heart in universal ways.
Private Support Groups
A safe space to speak freely about the pain and problems from your parents’ divorce or separation and find support. Run by an associate of Catholic author Leila Miller.
Restored
Restored is a ministry that helps teens & young adults heal from the trauma of their parents’ divorce or separation. They feature expert interviews and stories through regular podcasts and emails on how to heal from the trauma of your parents’ divorce or separation, so you can feel whole again.
Life-Giving Wounds
A Catholic ministry serving young adults and adults with divorced and separated parents, giving voice to their pain and helping individuals find deep spiritual healing. They establish local chapters, offer retreats and support groups in-person and online, and provide print and online resources.
St. Raphael Counseling
Helping people heal by bringing together the teachings of the Catholic Church and the very best in clinical care.
Mt. Tabor Counseling
Facilitating healing through the therapeutic process while remaining faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
