The Divorced Ministry offers the following services:

• Conferences, workshops and presentations for parish or community groups on such topics as: Christian Spirituality and Human Suffering; Annulments; Healthy Relationships; Gaining Control of the Financial Picture After Divorce; Parenting Tips for Children and Teens of Divorced Families; Blending Families; and other topics as requested.
  
  
• A Resource Library including books, pamphlets, videos and articles on issues related to the teachings of the Catholic Church with regard to the sanctity of marriage and the importance of the family in society; canon law related to marriage and divorce, pastoral considerations for ministry with the divorced and separated, and handouts on the annulment process. We also have a broad selection of materials on building successful relationships, human sexuality, parenting, spirituality, suffering, grief and healing for adults and also for children. Parish divorced ministry volunteers and pastors are welcome to avail themselves of this valuable resource. A listing of subject areas is included in the resources area.
  
  
• Peer-leadership training for parish contacts and support group leaders, as well as participation in the annual National Leadership Formation Institute of the North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics. Parish Divorced Ministry Contacts commit to forming a small team of fellow parishioners to assist in promoting and carrying out various divorced ministry activities and maintaining liaison with the diocesan Divorced Ministry coordinator.

For more information contact Oleta Proctor Fernandez, coordinator of Divorced Ministry for the Diocese of Oakland at (925) 680-8510 (ext. 202). E-mail: oleta@oakflo.com.

Did you know that...?

It is NOT TRUE that single divorced or separated Catholics may not:

• Be sponsors for Baptism or Confirmation;
• Receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

It is NOT TRUE that divorced and remarried Catholics:

• Are de facto excommunicated from the Church;
• Are no longer Catholics and cannot register in a parish;
• Are not welcome at Mass and church activities;
• Are not allowed a Church funeral and burial;
• Cannot have their children baptized or receive other sacraments.

Regarding the Marriage Tribunal and Annulments, it is NOT TRUE that:

• You must pay hundreds of dollars for an annulment;
• Someone married for many years cannot obtain an annulment;
• Someone with children cannot get an annulment;
• You need an important contact to get an annulment;
• Annulments take years;
• Your former spouse must cooperate in the process.