Aims of the ASDC:

To provide spiritual and practical support through self-help groups. Members are committed to help others, especially those in the early stages of separation or divorce.
To inform of the Church's teaching through talks on such topics as separation, divorce, annulment, the indissolubility of marriage, second marriages, the internal forum and sacraments for the remarried.
To emphasise that the Catholic, although divorced, is not alone, is not a failure, but is still an equal member of the Church. Through his/her experience, the divorced Catholic can emerge with greater personal strengths, a more profound faith, a deeper compassion and a determination to build a life contributing positively to the life of the Church and society.
To converse with the Church.
To establish the ASDC as an active organisation within the parish.
To permit membership to all separated and divorced Catholics, whatever their circumstances.
To help members to come to terms with being on their own, to gain confidence and face the world again.
To encourage the Association to grow through the formation of local groups.

Where we meet

The following is a list of places where ASDC has either an active group or a contact who can give information about the Association. As contacts change frequently, names and addresses are not given here but if you live near any of the places shown E Mail me and I shall let you know who the current contact is.

BURNLEY

Lancs

LEIGH

Lancs

DARTFORD

not actually in Dartford now but Medway may be convenient for people in that area.

HARROW Affiliated.

Archdiocese of Westminster. See Harrow's own website

ISLE OF SHEPPEY

not actually in Isle of Sheppey now but Medway may be convenient for people in that area.

LANCASTER & MORECAMBE Affiliated.

Diocese of Lancaster.

LIVERPOOL

Contact the Archdiocese of Liverpool, Department of Pastoral Formation, 152 Brownlow Hill, Liverpol L3 5RQ Tel: 0151 708 8659 or at L.A.C.E. Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AA. 0151 522 1040. Two Rainbow groups are still meeting, one of them at Blessed Sacrament Church, Walton Vale, Aintree, Liverpool. Also On Being Alone Again: a short series of meetings to support and encourage people who have ended marriages or long term relationships.

MIDDLETON

Small group meeting. supported by Stockport Group.

NOTTINGHAM

Contact Jimmie 0115 944 4003

PETERBOROUGH

Group based at All Souls, Geneva Street, Peterborough.

RAINHAM

not actually in Rainham now but Medway may be convenient for people in that area.

STOCKPORT Affiliated.

Diocese of Shrewsbury.

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Affiliated.

TOOTING, SOUTH WEST London Affiliated.

Archdiocese of Southwark. Meets 8 30 PM on the third Tuesday of the month in the Function Room of St Boniface Parish Social Club, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting (access through the bar at the front of the club).

TUNBRIDGE WELLS not affiliated.

Diocese of Southwark.

WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL Affiliated.

Diocese of Westminster.

3rd Fridays at 6.30pm, The Hinsley Hall (formerly called Nursery Hall), off Morpeth Terrace. Access via a small gate at the end of the school playground.

WOLVERHAMPTON Affiliated.

Archdiocese of Birmingham.

SOME CONTACTS ABROAD (not part of ASDC but fulfilling a similar function)

IRELAND

THERE ARE B.E. GROUPS in Dublin, Belfast, Downpatrick, Derry, Dundalk, Cork and West of Ireland.
Write to: Beginning Experience, 14 Hillcrest Road, Purley, Surrey CR8 2JE or ring Pat on 020 8660 3112 for details.

BE at Tullamore, Co Offaly; Ballinasloe, Co Galway & in Roscommon include a lot of widows.

BELFAST

Fr Paul Alexander, Corpus Christi Presbytery, Westrock Drive, Belfast BT12 7QD.
Met ASDC in Lourdes 8/91. He spoke on the'phone sympathetically to someone I gave his address to later in 1991.

NEWRY/DUNDALK

Pauline McMahon, 21 Chancellor's Road, Corringshego, Newry, Co Down. BT35 8PR.
Contact: Pauline 028 302 56463 Hopes to start at support group.

ISLE OF MAN

There are B E groups there. Refer enquiries to BE in England as above.

ITALY

Centro Assistenza Separati Divorziati, via Bellezza, 3 - Verona. Tel/fax 045/58034 weekdays 9 to11.30am. Answerphone at other times. www.rcvr.org/assoc/asdi/main.htm

MALTA

Mrs Connie M Mallia looks after a group of separated & widowed persons which meets weekly at the Bishops Curia under the name "Core Ro-se", part of "Caritas Malta". She is based in Sliema. (private address 153 Manwell Dimech Str, Sliema SLM 03)

ASDC IN SCOTLAND

c/o St Gabriel's, 83 Merrylea Road, Glasgow G43 2QY. Tel: 0141 637 4138.

GLASGOW

Annette Grey 0141 637 7400. "Drop In" at the Ogilvie Centre, St Aloysius, Rose Street, Glasgow on the first Saturday of the month from 2 to 4pm. Also groups in West Scotland and East Scotland.

SPAIN

Acrisdi - Christian Association of Separated and Divorced People. Founded 1991, recognised by Bishops' Conference. Based in Barcelona, regular meetings.
Telephone Dora: 217 41 01 or Manuela: Office 429 06 26, Home 429 23 03. (From England precede with 34 93).
The Association also offers legal advice, psychological counselling, arranges outings, cinema visits, meals out.

TANZANIA

G.A. Sibanda, PO Box 475, Sumbawanga, Rukwa, Tanzania. Group of 10 people, established 1999. 10/99

UNITED STATES & CANADA

North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics (NACSDC) 3 Park Street, Massachusetts 012108. Lee Barden. E-mail lee@divorceinfo.com NASDC Central Office: PO Box 360, Richland, OR 97870.'Phone 541 89