Catholic Women Now

Healing After Divorce: Finding Hope in the Catholic Church with Anne Moore - 10/29/2026

Episode Summary

Anne Moore joins Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder to talk about Surviving Divorce, a 12-week Catholic divorce recovery ministry in the Diocese of Des Moines that she leads with her husband, Bill. She explains how the group helps divorced and separated Catholics work through anger, forgiveness, shame, and the annulment process. She also clears up common myths about divorce and Holy Communion and shares how parishes can better welcome divorced Catholics.

Episode Notes

Nobody walks down the aisle expecting divorce. When it happens, the grief, shame, and isolation can be overwhelming. Anne Moore was widowed and her husband, Bill, went through a divorce and annulment before they met. Together they now facilitate Surviving Divorce, a Catholic divorce recovery ministry offered through the Diocese of Des Moines Office of Marriage and Family Life.

In this episode:

• How Anne and Bill came to lead the ministry after Bill went through the program under Deacon Tony Valdez
• Who the group is for: men and women ages 25 to 75, from those just separated to those divorced 10+ years, including Catholics who have been away from the Church
• What facilitators do (and don’t do): volunteer guides, not counselors, with referrals to therapists, Catholic Charities counseling, and priests when needed
• Forgiveness as freedom, redemptive suffering, and choosing to love when you don’t feel it
• The annulment (decree of nullity) process: why it’s hard, and why participants say it’s worth it
• Common myths: civilly divorced Catholics in good standing CAN receive Holy Communion, and an annulment does NOT make children illegitimate
• How parishioners can welcome divorced Catholics: invite them to Mass, coffee, or a movie, especially on weekends without their kids
• Anne’s advice: accept help, take one day at a time, and live in the present moment

The program uses Rose Sweet’s Surviving Divorce guide with weekly videos featuring Dr. Ray Guarendi, Fr. Donald Calloway, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and Christopher West. Groups are confidential, and participants sign a confidentiality agreement.

Next Surviving Divorce Session
Starts Monday, November 16, 2026
12 Monday nights, 6:00–7:30 PM
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Des Moines, lower level of the parish center
New participants are accepted for the first three weeks. After that the group closes to protect confidentiality.

Annulment Q&A
Wednesday, January 27, 2027, 6:30 PM
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Des Moines
Adam Storey of the Diocese of Des Moines will answer questions about the annulment process and the tribunal. Anne and Bill will also attend.

Learn more at https://www.dmdiocese.org/ministries-and-faith-formation/marriage-and-family-life/annulments-and-divorce-care

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