March 3, 2010

Beginning Experience: From heartache to hope

By John Gleason

“A hurting people healed, transformed, and free again to love themselves, others and God.”—From the Beginning Experience mission statement

When a person’s life is turned upside down by separation, divorce or the death of a spouse, the world can suddenly seem a lonely, cold place.  Where can they turn for help and support?  Divorce can be a devastating experience.  And when a spouse dies, especially if it’s a sudden or unexpected death, the pain and grief can appear insurmountable.

For those who are going through such painful times, there is a program that can help them over the rough areas.  Beginning Experience is an ecumenical program designed to help those people who have experienced significant loss and help them on the path to making a new life.  It does this by assisting people in dealing with the grief process, giving them the opportunity of turning their pain into an adventure of grace.

In the United States more than 800,000 people lose their spouse annually.  Half of all marriages end in divorce and for each divorce that means there are two hurting adults, not to mention the children.  For more than 20 years, Beginning Experience has been helping people around the world, in the United States and Canada, the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.  Started in 1973, the program is designed to show people how to face issues and concerns brought about by significant changes in their life.  It has helped thousands and has been recognized for service to families by the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.

Here in Colorado, hundreds of people who believed they had no place to turn to for help have had their lives turned around by experiencing one of the weekends, according to Mary Kershner, president of the Denver chapter of Beginning Experience.

“We’re the only Beginning Experience team in Colorado,” she said. “Each session is a peer ministry, run by facilitators who have been through a loss of a partner themselves.” 

Testimonials from people who’ve attended Beginning Experience weekends report an increase in emotional health and self respect, a newfound ability to deal with the pain of loss, healthier relationships and renewed energy.  Additional testimonials and other information about the organization can be found online at beginningexperience.org.

Beginning Experience will hold its next weekend March 12-14 at the Mother Cabrini Retreat House, 20189 Cabrini Blvd., Golden.  Cost of the retreat is $220 and partial scholarships are available.  Registration deadline is March 9.  Call 303-255-8990 for all the details.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE.

What: retreat for adults who have suffered the loss of a spouse through separation, divorce or death
When: March 12-14
Where: Mother Cabrini Retreat House, 20189 Cabrini Blvd., Golden
Cost: $220, partial scholarships are available.
Information: Call 303-255-8990.