LGW Online Spring Support Group Information

First Session: Your Attachment Style and Healing: "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you." - Isaiah 49:15

Learn about attachment theory and how our earliest relationships affect our ability to form healthy adult relationships. If my childhood relationships were unhealthy, can the Lord heal by ability to form secure attachments in adulthood?

Thursday, February 29, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Kathryn Wessling

Dr. Kathryn Wessling is a behavioral scientist who works with married couples, educators, parishes, and organizational leaders to create a culture of healing, security, and relational joy through the integration of the Catholic faith with the science of human thriving. She is the founder of Catholic Story Groups where individuals gather to heal in small groups through the writing and sharing of their childhood stories.

She has a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate from Duke University. She has taught at the Wharton School of Business and the University of Virginia. She studies well-being, resilience, positive relationships, attachment styles, virtue, and vice consumption. This year, her book on the healing of attachment wounds, Wired for God, will be published by Sophia Press.

Followed by small-group breakout session.

Second Session: Healing Images of Our Heavenly Father or Blessed Mother: "Even if my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in." - Psalm 27:10

Often poor relationships with our parents can affect the way we see God the Father or our Blessed Mother. Sometimes we expect God or Mary to treat us the way our earthly father or mother has treated us, and this prevents us from truly receiving their love. How can these false images be healed?

Thursday, March 7, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Fr. Mario Majano

Fr. Mario Majano is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC and was ordained on June 16, 2012.  He currently serves as pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Landover Hills, MD. Fr. Mario attended Franciscan University of Steubenville and graduated from St John’s University in Queens, NY.  He did his Theological studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, studying at the Angelicum and the Teresianum.

He is an assistant vocations director for the Archdiocese of Washington and helps as an adjunct spiritual director of the Saint John Paul II Seminary. He has a zeal to help others grow in holiness and fervently believes in God’s healing power. Has dedicated much of his time to accompanying people in their growth in the faith through their own personal experience. He enjoys working with youth and helping them find their place in the Church.

Fr. Mario is the national chaplain of Life-Giving Wounds and blessed to accompany adults from broken homes as part of this ministry.

Followed by small-group breakout session.

Third Session: Marriage as a Sacrament of Healing: "[A] man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." - Genesis 2:24

In this session, learn more about the Church's teachings on love and marriage, which can help us to heal from the wounds of our parents' divorce or separation by giving us the words to name our wounds and the hope of what is possible in God.

Thursday, March 14, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Jeff Mazzone

Jeff Mazzone is a resident in counseling seeking licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) expected in August 2024.  Jeff is originally from Southern Maryland, and lived in the Bronx and Hudson Valley area of New York for about 20 years before relocating to Fredericksburg, VA in 2021.  His parents divorced when he was 11.  Jeff was both a college seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington and a temporarily professed member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs).  Jeff has a master's in theology from St. Joseph's Seminary, and a master's in counseling from Liberty University. His wife has worked for Witness to Love, the marriage preparation renewal ministry, since 2018. You can learn more about him @discalced_counselor.

Followed by small-group breakout session.

OPTION ONE: Consecrated life/priesthood/seminary—Holy Healing: Considerations on What Healing Looks Like

Monday, March 18, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Fr. John Paul Mary Zeller, MFVA

Father John Paul Mary Zeller, MFVA is a member of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, a religious community of men, founded by the late Mother Mary Angelica, PCPA.  The MFVA’s were founded in 1987 by Mother Mary Angelica to preach and teach the Catholic Faith through the modern means of social communication, television, radio, internet, and printed word, as well as leading retreats and attending to the spiritual and sacramental needs of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration.  Father John Paul was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ by His Excellency Robert J. Baker on June 22, 2013, in the Cathedral of St. Paul in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama.  His current assignment is at the Eternal Word Television Network as the Employee Chaplain as well as Assistant Vocations Director.  On Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Father John Paul Mary was commissioned by His Holiness Pope Francis, a Missionary of Mercy during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.  He received a special mandate to preach and to teach about the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, Forgiveness, the Mercy of God and in Pope Francis own words— “the closeness of God.” Pope Francis reminded each of the Missionaries of Mercy that is Christ who welcomes, it is Christ who listens, and it is Christ who forgives in the Confessional. He has served as a volunteer chaplain for Life Giving Wounds since 2021.

Followed by large-group Q & A.

OPTION TWO: Single life—Having the Courage to Stay Open to the Lord's Will + the Universal Call to Holiness

Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Jen Cox

As an adult child of divorced parents, Jen is passionate about Life-Giving Wounds. After attending her first LGW retreat in 2018, Jen followed the Lord’s prompting to get involved! Currently, she serves on the traveling retreat team, assists the National Leadership team and occasionally contributes to our Instagram and the LGW blog. She is also a contributor to Primal Loss: The Now-Adult Children of Divorce Speak. Professionally, Jen is a Catholic Wellness Coach, using a whole-person, Christ-centered approach to health, wellness and healing supporting Catholics get unstuck and gain clarity towards the life they desire and God’s wills one little way at a time. Connect with Jen via Instagram or her website.

Followed by large-group Q & A.

OPTION THREE: Dating—How to Have a Healthy Relationship (and How to Spot an Unhealthy One)

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Beth Sri

Beth Sri is the mother of eight children and is married to Catholic theologian Edward Sri. A graduate of Benedictine College, she was among the first FOCUS missionaries and has led numerous Bible studies and women’s groups. She is a contributor (with Edward Sri) to the Catholic for a Reason series (Emmaus Road) and a presenter in the acclaimed film series, Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage (Augustine Institute). Beth has been a guest on podcasts including Among the Lilies, How-To Catholic, and All Things Catholic. She and her husband are authors of a new book, The Good, The Messy and The Beautiful: the Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life, which was published this summer.

Beth is an adult child of divorce and has found opportunities to share with others about that wound and her path of healing, including on podcasts and at Catholic conferences. Beth also has a heart for women who are striving to live up to the beautiful ideals of Catholic marriage and find themselves surprisingly struggling in their marriages, in their motherhood and ultimately in their own brokenness.  Her ministry and website www.borntodothis.org helps women know they are not alone in this noble endeavor and equips them to move forward in their vocation without fear.

Followed by large-group Q & A.

OPTION FOUR: Engagement/Marriage—Parenting out of Grace, Not out of Our Wounds; Parenting Challenges as an ACOD

Thursday, March 21, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Dr. Andrew Sodergren

Dr. Andrew Sodergren is a Catholic psychologist and Director of Psychological Services for Ruah Woods Institute, a Theology of the Body education and healing ministry based in Cincinnati, OH.  Dr. Sodergren earned his Masters and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University.  Dr. Sodergren also holds a Masters degree in theology from the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, DC where he went on to co-teach a graduate course on psychology and neuroscience as an Adjunct Professor for 13 years. Dr. Sodergren contributed a chapter on the “Psychology of the Sexual Difference” to the book Sexual Identity: The Harmony of Philosophy, Science, and Revelation published by the St. Paul Center.  He is an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA) and is a frequent speaker for professional and lay audiences on the integration of psychology and the Catholic faith. In 2023, the CPA honored him with the Our Lady of Good Counsel Clinical Excellence Award.  He and his wife Ellie have been married 24 years and have five children.

Followed by large-group Q & A.

Fifth Session: Applying Boundaries in Complicated Situations: Healthy Dependence, Detachment and Enmeshment: "Jesus said to her, 'Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.'" - John 20:17

Take a deep dive into what enmeshment looks like and get practical tips for establishing healthy boundaries with loved ones.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speaker: Celena Hoey

Celena has been working as a licensed therapist since 2005 and worked in behavior modification since 1999.  She has experience in journeying through the healing process with several populations but now focuses on helping adolescents, families, couples and adults in her private practice in Lutherville, Maryland.  Some issues she currently works with are helping people in addressing grief and loss, depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, family conflict and helping those who are post abortive or dealing with the pain of miscarriage, as well as adult children of divorce.  She is licensed to work with people who reside in both Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Followed by small-group breakout session.

Sixth Session: Finding Joy and Hope in the Resurrected Christ: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." - John 15:11

The Lord wants us to be full of hope and joy, gifts that only He can give. Learn how to receive these gifts even in the midst of suffering.

Thursday, April 4, 2024, 8:15-10:00 PM EST

Speakers: Sr. Kelly Tyler

Sr. Kelly Tyler has been in religious life since 2004. She is currently carrying out ministry in the great State of Texas. Where she has the opportunity to work with people in healing prayer and spiritual direction. 

She is an adult child of divorce and her parents divorced when she was 10 years old. She is grateful for the amazing ministry and community found in Live Giving Wounds. She made the online retreat in the Fall of 2020 and has had the opportunity to help with small groups and give talks at Life Giving Wounds online events.

Followed by small-group breakout session.