Journey of Hope

Theresa:  Allowing myself to experience Journey of Hope was the best thing I did. I was feeling alone and unsure of what steps to take for my future. Feeling shame of my divorce was constantly on my mind and I often felt excluded especially during school and church functions. I have learned so much and have made lifelong friends through JOH. I am truly blessed and hope the Catholic Church will continue this program for all who experience the pain of divorce.

Diana:  I just wanted to say a big thank you to this amazing Journey of Hope group and specially to Myrna for providing us this space to share our experiences. Your support, kind words, and shared experiences have been invaluable to my healing journey. Together we have created a space of understanding and strength to grow in our faith in God and personally. Thanks for being such an important part of my healing journey.

Michael: “Journey of Hope” was recommended to me by a friend of mine from Prince of Peace Catholic Community.  I had just gotten out of an “adversarial” 2 year divorce that had consumed most of my time during that period in my life.  I was angry, bitter, and -most of all- stuck as to where my life was to go once the final paperwork was signed. I was hesitant to join, reluctant to go.  I was not the kind of person who felt I needed a “support group.”  I thought I could fix myself, all by myself.  But good friends were persistent, so I reached out to the facilitator, Myrna (Tolar).  She was very welcoming and accommodating, especially since I registered pretty much at the 11th hour.

Joining the “Journey of Hope” group was the best decision I could have made in the aftermath of my divorce!  Being from a different Parish, I honestly can say that the Members of Prince of Peace Catholic Community were very welcoming, and I have made friends through this program that I will likely keep for the rest of my life.  Our facilitator, Myrna (Tolar), is very knowledgeable on the subject matter, having gone through this program herself.  She is a true leader and was very open to sharing her own life experience with us.  She exemplified the “Journey of Hope” success story and made us hungry to share in that success for ourselves.

I am currently working on my Annulment through the Church at my local Parish.  I am now armed and ready to move forward with my new life, post-divorce.  I am like a phoenix reborn, a dead man raised from his tomb.  I don’t know what this new life might entail, but I am ready to embrace it: not with the anger and bitterness that I had going into this program, but with the peace and love that it has given me to share with the world around me.  God bless you, Myrna.  God bless you my fellow classmates.  And may Almighty God bless all of you new participants in the “Journey of Hope” program at Prince of Peace Catholic Community.  You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.  I now stand as living proof of all that it can accomplish.