Life-Giving Wounds Peer Support Group

The Life-Giving Wounds (LGW) peer support group is a unique opportunity for adults (18+) whose parents have divorced, separated, or left broken families to reflect intentionally and heal from the wounds caused by their family’s breakdown.

This support group will be comprised of others who know this pain as well as knowledgeable and compassionate leaders who are also predominantly adult children of divorce or separation themselves.

This group will be a hybrid experience of two in-person experiences and a 7-week online experience to deepen your healing journey.

The schedule for the Boise support group is:

• The first meeting (Sept 18, 2024) is in-person and includes an orientation, distribution of materials, a meditation led by the chaplain or team member, and two activities from the workbook during a Eucharistic holy hour (Total time: 2 hours).

• 7 meetings on the first 7 chapters (Oct 3, Oct 17, Nov 7, Nov 21, Dec 5, Dec 19, Jan 9) of the book along with workbook activities. During one of these meetings the team counselor with be present virtually to answer questions. (Total time: 1.25 hour each session).

• The final meeting (January 15, 2025) includes a discussion of chapter 8 followed by Confession, Mass, and social time. (Total time: 2.5 hours).

Session 1: In-Person gathering at St. Paul’s BSU

Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 7 p.m.

Session 2: Virtual Support Meeting

Date: Thursday, Oct 3, 2024, at 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Session 3: Virtual Support Meeting

Date: Thursday, Oct 17, 2024, at 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Session 4: Virtual Support Meeting

Date: Thursday, Nov 7, 2024, at 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Session 5: Virtual Support Meeting

Date: Thursday, Nov 21, 2024, at 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Session 6: Virtual Support Meeting

Date: Thursday, Dec 5, 2024, at 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Session 7: Virtual Support Meeting

Date: Thursday, Dec 19, 2024, at 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Session 8: Virtual Support Meeting (with mental health counselor)

Date: Thursday, Jan 9, 2025, at 6:00-7:15 p.m.

Session 9: In-Person gathering at St. Paul’s BSU

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 7 pm

Materials needed for each participant:

· Book: Life-Giving Wounds: A Catholic Guide to Healing for Adult Children of Divorce or Separation (Ignatius Press, 2023)

· Workbook: Life-Giving Wounds Companion Workbook (Self-published, 2023)

· Prayer Card: Prayer for Those from a Broken Home

· Journal and pen: a journal (bring your own or use a LGW journal)

We can accommodate up to 10 people in each support group. With the possibility of two Diocese of Boise support groups, there are 20 openings available.

Cost:

The only cost associated with this support group is that of the materials needed. (See list above.) These need to be purchased individually by each participant.

You have the option of buying just the book and workbook:

https://www.lifegivingwounds.org/store/lgw-book-workbook-bundle

Or. if you would like the journal as well, you can purchase this bundle:

https://www.lifegivingwounds.org/store/lgw-book-workbook-and-journal-bundle

We do not want the cost of these materials to keep anyone from participating in this support group. If purchase of these materials would be a financial burden, please contact Jay Wonacott at 208-350-7535 or [email protected] to discuss this.

Please purchase the materials you need by September 1 in order to receive them prior to the first meeting.

Life-Giving Wounds support groups are not traditional, psychological support groups led by trained and licensed counselors or psychologists. Life-Giving Wounds is peer-based spiritual guidance, support, and community, grounded in virtue development and sound psychological principles and practices.

Our ministry complements professional therapy groups; we encourage professional therapy whenever it is beneficial to do so. Life-Giving Wounds is proud to work closely with many psychologists and counselors who advise us in our ministry and serve as chapter team counselors.

Who should attend a Life-Giving Wounds support group?

A Life-Giving Wounds support group works best as a follow-up to the Life-Giving Wounds retreat. We believe participants will get the most out of the experience this way. However, the support groups are also open and helpful for those who have not attended a Life-Giving Wounds retreat. The support group can be an excellent introduction to our ministry and a way to check out the Life-Giving Wounds community.

Also, we realize that everyone’s story of their parents’ divorce, separation, or family brokenness is unique. The support group has something to offer everyone who has experienced their family’s brokenness, no matter when it happened or the particular circumstances involved. The support group is also for those whose parents received a declaration of nullity (annulment) or whose parents never married and are no longer together.

The support group leaders aim to accompany everyone with kindness and compassion, but it’s important to discern prior to going into a support group whether you are emotionally healthy enough at the time to closely examine the wounds and sadness caused by your parents’ divorce, separation, or family brokenness. For those currently working with a counselor or therapist, we recommend asking their professional opinion about participating in this support group.

However, these support groups are not places to work out serious personal crises, such as drug addiction or active suicidal thoughts. For these crisis matters, expert, professional counseling is necessary to resolve the crisis before attempting to join one of our support groups for further healing. If you are struggling with active suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help by calling the suicide hotline by dialing 988.

Host or Publisher Jay Wonacott, Director, Office of Marriage and Family Life, Diocese of Boise