I am going to achieve it: After divorce or separation, women strengthen themselves mutually

GERMANY, Sister M. Anne-Meike Brück. Women, who find themselves struggling against the pain of separation and/or guilt feelings, financial difficulties, or the lack of employment, can easily lose sight of themselves. The goal of the seminars for divorced or separated women held in Vallendar-Schoenstatt is to provide interaction with people who experience similar situations, to enjoy fellowship, to receive encouragement to begin anew, and to develop new perspectives for the future.

August 24-26, single mothers and divorced women gathered at the educational institution, Marienland (Schoenstatt), for mutual support and strengthening. This event provided an opportunity for sharing in small groups, contemplative walks, moments of silence, time to express their own experiences, feelings , etc., happy afternoons, and to allow themselves a bit of pampering, such as, an already set table marked the days that served as time to rest and renew their energy.

What the women took as an inspiration and a blessing became a source of energy for the necessary changes in daily life.

… so that I don’t always feel sorry for myself

This was reflected in some comments at the end of the seminar:

• U.T.: What a beautiful group, it is like a family! I am going to work on myself so that I don’t always feel sorry for myself. I want to look forward. From now on, I am going out to walk even if it is raining and even if it is inconvenient, I am not going to avoid things that will help me to move forward.

• S.E.: I feel very blessed. I have received many comments, since our last encounter, I have made much progress. I went from being a bunch of tears to being a happy person. Everyday I am going to recall good times and at night I want to write about what made me the happiest?

• U.G.: I can learn again, but I have to do something with myself. The phrase that touched me was: It wasn’t me that failed; but rather, it was my strategy. So I will continue to search.

• L.K.: The good God has always taken care of me. Now it is my turn to take care of myself and pay attention. Now I am sure of this: With your help – I will accomplish it.

Original: German – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA