Information Line: (301) 961-2432

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2157, Landover Hills, MD 20784-2157

[Click on any underlined links below for more information]

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Download the free eBook, "Spiritual Reflections, 2003-2009" by Father Vince O'Brien

View the latest SDC News Email

Father Vince's Spiritual Reflections for September (and links to the past year's Spiritual Reflections)

There are changes to the September SDC Newsletter

SDC Membership Form If you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here >

Pictures from SDC Events or SDC Participants at Other Groups Events

The 2007 SDC Annual Mass with Archbishop Wuerl as Celebrant

CAC Annapolis Cruise July 2008

The SDC September 2009 Beach Trip in Ocean City

The SDC 2010 Memorial Day Weekend Retreat

Father Vince June 15, 2010 - 55 Years as a Priest

"Called to Life" by the Late Joan Pahl Morris

Pray the “SDC PRAYER” by Mark Boruta

The Archbishop's Blessing of the SDC Ministry

View the SDC Prayer Request Page

SDC Background Information

Articles of Incorporation for Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Archdiocese of Washington

A History of Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Archdiocese of Washington

Deceased Members and Supporters of Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Archdiocese of Washington

Who founded SDC?

The SDC Process

SDC’s mission is “to actively encourage the unique ministry of separated and divorced Catholics to each other (for example, to minister to the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of separated and divorced Catholics through personal interaction) and to call upon the Church to lend counsel and support to this ministry. ” While each experience with SDC is unique, a natural progression of the supporting activities is available to all SDC members. Here are those activities, in the order in which new members generally attended them:

· Deanery Meetings. Deanery meetings are information-gathering forums in a setting that ministers to the spiritual and emotional needs through personal interaction. Facilitators present topics of interest. The term Deanery refers to a geographical group of several parishes meeting regularly at one parish. Meetings are being held in Montgomery and Calvert Counties.

· Separation, Divorce, and Beyond. An series of workshops of structured healing developed by Brother James Greteman, CSC and Leon Haverkamp, MSW, helps us work through the mourning period with others who know, understand and share our special problems and frustrations. This program helps us gain a healthy perspective on our separation and/or divorce, understand some of our emotional responses, and find ways of coping that will lead to growth and the eventual restructuring of our lives. The program provides a safe place to meet other separated & divorced Catholics who are working toward the same goals.è Monthly meetings in Montgomery County [See “Deanery Meetings”].

· Together We Can Make It. Similar to the above but presented in Charles County. Temporarily inactive.

· Rap Sessions. Rap sessions provide opportunities to share thoughts and feelings in an atmosphere of friendship and understanding. These sessions are especially valuable to new members. The only current active rap sessions are held in Calvert County.

· Individual Contact includes one-to-one counseling.

· Help for Children. Please call Deacon David Barnes (301)261-3573 for info about Rainbows, a program designed to help children recover from the loss of a love one—through divorce or death. Also Lynn Cassella's Faith Journeys Foundation, Inc

· Annual Retreat is a weekend designed to help the separated and divorced achieve closure on the past and move forward. Next Retreat: May 27-29, 2011 at Loyola Retreat House Loyola website

DEANERY MEETINGS: Local Meetings held on Sundays

CALVERT COUNTY DEANERY: September 19^th at 7:30 pm.

Directions: From beltway, take Rt. 4 S. to Prince Frederick. Turn L. at the Rt. 231 intersection onto Church St. Go to the stop sign & turn R. onto Main St. Go about ½ miles. At St. John Vianney Church turn L. and follow Holy Family Drive to the Parish Center. For info call Jerry 410-257-3267 (email-worrell@chesapeake.net). This month: To be determined.

Map to St. John Vianney's Church

Visit St. John Vianney's Website

MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEANERY [“Separation, Divorce, and Beyond”]: September 26^th at 7:30 pm.

Montgomery Deanery meetings are installments in the “Separation, Divorce, and Beyond” program, which provides a Catholic-based assistance to fellow Catholics wrestling with the effects of this unwanted change an unwanted change in their lives. The sessions taken from the book, "Divorce and Beyond" by Brother James Greteman, CSC and Leon Haverkamp, MSW, which is available online from Acta Publications for $9.95, However, we will have copies available at the meeting for $10 - saving you the shipping. No registration or great time commitment. You can join the group for any or all the sessions. Two trained facilitators guide each session. Please bring a snack or beverage to share. If you or someone you know is recently separated or divorced, these meetings may be an aid to their recovery.