The Beginning Experience Weekend creates a space for separated, divorced and widowed persons to re-evaluate themselves and their lives, and to look to the future with renewed hope. The theme of the weekend is "CLOSING THE DOOR GENTLY ON THE FORMER MARRIAGE, IN ORDER TO MOVE ON." The Weekend is for people who have worked through the initial stages of grief (anger, despair and rejection) and for those who have found themselves stuck at a point in their single life. Recommended time from the loss before a weekend is one year for the widowed and six months for the divorced or legally separated.

The format of the weekend focuses on getting in touch with feelings and expressing them. There are presentations by team leaders related to feelings and stages of growth worked through by the now singled person. Following each presentation there is a period of private written reflection followed by dialogue in small groups. The small groups are made up of four to five participants and two trained facilitators. In your small group, you decide which part of your written reflection you wish to share with your group. There is no pressure to share anything you do not feel comfortable sharing.

The Weekend begins Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. and concludes at approximately 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Due to the structure of the weekend, it is essential that you plan to be present for the entire Weekend. Cost of the weekend - $100 semi-private sleeping room - $125.00 private sleeping room, which includes a $50 registration fee sent with the application to the Family Life Office. Financial arrangements can be made - no one is excluded due to financial difficulties. The deadline for applications is one week (Friday) before a Weekend.

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2012 RETREAT DATES
March 23-25, 2012 at Archdiocesan Retreat Center - St. Joseph's Hall, 3330 N 60 Street - Omaha, NE
August 10-12, 2012 at Archdiocesan Retreat Center - St. Joseph's Hall, 3330 N 60 Street - Omaha, NE
October 26-28, 2012 at Archdiocesan Retreat Center - St. Joseph's Hall, 3330 N 60 Street - Omaha, NE

2013 RETREAT DATES
March 8-10, 2013 at Archdiocesan Retreat Center - St. Joseph's Hall, 3330 N 60 Street - Omaha, NE
August 16-18, 2013 at Archdiocesan Retreat Center - St. Joseph's Hall, 3330 N 60 Street - Omaha, NE
November 8-10, 2013 at Archdiocesan Retreat Center - St. Joseph's Hall, 3330 N 60 Street - Omaha, NE

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What people have said about their weekend:

"I left this experience with a peace I have not felt in years."

"I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted from my heart and shoulders."

"It is a physical and spiritual feeling of healing, forgiveness and acceptance. I truly feel God entered my heart."