Parents are children’s first teachers – of life, love, family and faith. Even under ideal circumstances, the modern family faces significant pressures. Parenting requires a wellspring of devotion and resilience. Families led by single parents may have particular challenges that require additional spiritual, emotional and practical support. Families need ongoing accompaniment and prayer as guide their children’s holistic development.

Resources for Single Parents
- The Divorced Catholic’s Guide to Parenting by Lynn Cassella-Kapsinsiki
- Single & Raising Saints by Jo Holt
- Dating and the Single Parent by Ron L. Deal
- Momentum is a faith community of Catholic single mothers committed to creating a vibrant faith life. They offer in-person and online retreats and online weekly gatherings.
- Kids’ Turn San Diego is a nonprofit organization that supports the well-being of children who are experiencing family separation through divorce, separation or military deployment. Their primary focus is the Family Workshop for Separated and Divorced Families, a co-parenting program for families with children ages 5-17. They also offer high conflict co-parenting program called Cooperative Co-Parenting.
Parish Resources
- Faith Journeys Foundation, Inc, Inc.’s mission is to provide churches and schools with the tools and expertise to offer faith-based group programs for children and adolescents from divorced or separated families, along with their parents, so families may heal more fully, grow stronger in their faith, and pursue their vocations free of the burdens of unresolved grief. Founder Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski, LCPC, NCC is recognized as a leading figure regarding faith-based pastoral care of children from divorced families. As a licensed clinical professional counselor, pastoral counselor, and Catholic “child of divorce” who has been happily married since 2001, Lynn combines professional and personal expertise into her passion for helping children and adolescents grow stronger from parental divorce. Also an author, Lynn has written age-appropriate books for Catholic children of divorce as well as The Divorced Catholic’s Guide
to Parenting. Lynn joined the Office for Family Life & Spirituality for a “Profiles in Ministry” video in December 2020. Please see that video here. - Supporting Single Parents
- This Lent? Try Helping a Single Parent Family
Books & Resources for Children & Teens
For Children (Topic of Divorce)
- Fred Stays with Me! by Nancy Coffelt
Told from the point of view of a young child whose parents are divorced, Fred Stays with Me follows a girl and her dog, Fred, from one parent’s house to the other’s, giving her a sense of continuity and stability. - Missing Rabbit by Roni Schotter
While shuffling back and forth between her Mama’s house and her Papa’s house, Kara’s favorite toy, Rabbit, asks to stay at Papa’s house and Kara must leave her toy behind while she is at Mama’s house, where she misses him terribly, in a heartwarming tale for children whose parents are divorced that captures the true meaning of home and parental love. - Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brown
A comprehensive, sensitive guide for changing families, Dinosaurs Divorce helps readers understand what divorce means, why it happens, and how to best cope with everyone’s feelings. - Meet Julie: An American Girl by Megan McDonald
In 1974, after Julie’s parents divorce, she moves to a new San Francisco neighborhood where the school does not have a girls’ basketball team, so she fights for the right to play on the boys’ team. - When Parents Divorce or Separate by Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski
Formed by the truths of the Catholic faith and by what professionals in family counseling have found helpful, this guide through parental divorce and separation designed for children ages 8-12, blends faith with interactive elements.
For Children (Topic of Separation)
- My Mom and Dad Don’t Live Together Anymore by Dr. Judith A. Rubin PhD
This drawing book encourages kids to explore their inner world through both pictures and words, helping them to understand themselves and feel better during a difficult time of change. - The Best of Both Nests by Jane Clarke
One day, Mrs. Stork tells Stanley that Dad is going to fly off and build his own nest. At school, Stanley worries about Dad missing Fathers’ Flyday Friday. But his friend Stella tells him, “Two nests are better than one.”
For Teenagers
- Making Your Way After Your Parents’ Divorce by Lynn Cassella
Written by a “child of divorce” for “children of divorce,” Making Your Way After Your Parents’ Divorce is a supportive guide that helps personal growth. It takes an honest look at the effects that divorce can have in the life of a teenager or young adult, and the ways that they can move toward healing and forgiveness after their parents’ divorce. - Now What Do I Do? by Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski
Author Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski offers a workbook for teens to help them flush out their feelings and fears over their parent’s divorce or separation. - Restored Podcast
Contact Information
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- Associate Director: Janelle Peregoy
- Associate Director: Wendy Baez
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