Divorce, separation workshop offered

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Through a partnership between the Diocese of Sioux City and Abounding Joy Ministries, an online divorce and separation workshop will be offered at a discount in the diocese. Build a New Life will begin Jan. 22 and run for 12 weeks, providing tools for emotional healing, spiritual renewal and practical rebuilding, “grounded in the truth and love of the church.”
 
Certified Catholic divorce healing coach Carolyn Klika Catino of Abounding Joy Ministries will lead the workshop. The program is a good fit for the diocese and those looking for healing, noted Karmen Bower, diocesan director of faith formation.
 
“There’s lots of options out there but Build a New Life seems to really be one that’s made for someone in 2026. It’s interactive and it’s doable,” she pointed out.
 
Bower said often those going through a divorce might find it difficult to participate in an in-person event as they may be adjusting to child custody schedules and may not be able to secure child care to attend.
 Carolyn Klika Catino“So, her (Catino’s) online availability and resources can really be a draw and help people to have access to this kind of program,” she said.
 
The director stressed that the program is “for anyone who needs help with healing,” and provides strategies for those in a troubled marriage, separated or divorced. Participants do not have to have a finalized divorce to participate.
 
“Part of it is to help people develop skills and she provides tools for navigating that part of life,” Bower said. “People can sign up and go through the workshop who are maybe even still in their marriages, but it’s a challenging marriage.”
 
Some have even utilized tools from the workshop to assist in dealing with issues with their current marriage, “so they won’t have to separate or end that relationship,” the director said, noting Catino said it occasionally happens with participants.
 
In addition to individuals registering for Build a New Life, Bower said the format allows for parishes to create groups to participate in the workshop together. Some pastors have already indicated an interest in forming groups for their parishioners.
 
Workshop leader
Catino has a long history of ministry in the Catholic Church including speaking and leading workshops for Catholic dioceses around the country. She has also appeared on various national Catholic programs including The Chris Stefanick Show, Theology of the Body Institute, Relevant Radio, Ave Maria Radio and the Catholic Channel on SiriusXM.
 “She comes with a lot of experience and a lot of positive feedback from other dioceses,” Bower said. “Her materials have all been looked over and reviewed by canon lawyers. She’s doing her best to provide a really good quality product, not just on a human level but faithful to the church’s teachings. She’s very dedicated to that.”
 
Abounding Joy’s marketing materials stress that all the teaching in the program is “grounded in Catholic doctrine on marriage, sacramentality and indissolubility.” Catino notes that the Build a New Life Workshop content avoids “encouragement of dating, remarriage or sexual relationships outside church teaching.” Also, there will be no pressure on program participants towards annulment or divorce.
 
Bower is pleased the diocese is able to offer the workshop with Catino for the sake of those experiencing divorce or separation and their families.
 
“So many people in our pews want to help their friends or family who have gone through divorces or those who are going through divorces and want to make sure they know they are still loved by God and still part of our church communities,” she said.
Discounts
The Build a New Life core workshop experience normally costs $119 per person but is reduced to $49 per person with the diocesan discount. It includes live teaching, small group discussions, printed workbooks, access to videos for one year and live group coaching. (Coupon code: DIO1-$70OFF-1/2026.)
 
Another option for participants includes a personal guidance package with one-on-one coaching and a private online support community. Normally this costs $499 per person but is reduced to $299 with the discount. (Coupon code: DIO2-$200OFF-1/2026.)
The discount codes, registration link and other details are available at: www.scdiocese.org/divorce.
 
“By offering this partnership, it demonstrates the reality that we do want people to find healing within the church and reconciliation with the church,” Bower said. “Hopefully, people can get that sense that we really do want that. By going through a Catholic workshop like this, that theme will be addressed over and over again and how to manage your relationship with the church.”

Ministry programs offered by the diocese are sponsored in part by Together As One. 

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