December Roses

Description: Divorce, the termination of marriage, currently affects approximately one out of two marriages in the United States. There is no guarantee for those attending church required marital preparation classes or by celebrating a religious ceremony that the union will not conclude in the tragedy of divorce. As the Church lists marriage as a vocation (a call from God), it is quite evident that in many cases God is not a part of the lived out experience of many married couples. Though much literature has been written on this topic, December Roses details the thought processes associated with the planning and execution of a divorce and the painful emotions and feelings which occur, while at the same time providing a means of prayerful healing for those involved in the divorce situation. Divorce touches many issues and feelings. As marriages die and friendships are broken, the pain cries out for healing. Pastorally, through case study, reflection, and prayer, the issues inherent in any divorce are brought forward to the healing movements of God. As a priest for twenty-six years, I have witnessed, counseled, and cried with family, friends, and parishioners as divorce took its toll on very good people. This book is written with the faith that God is greater than our human moments of grief. Through God's compassion, healing is possible. Endorsements: ""I am grateful to Father Hector for his unique and complex insights into marriage and divorce. In my experience, this is a one-of-a-kind reflection on the beauty of marriage and the horror of divorce. He relates all to the Word of God in scripture and thus gives solidity and truth to his understanding . . . This book is a must read for all seminarians and clergy whom he invites to 'open the door' and to identify with the human suffering shared by all. --Sister Josephine Stewart Sister of St. Mary of Namur author of Letting Go: The Way to Abundance ""Father Hector hits an eloquent stride on a topic he knows well. This book contains clarity, God, humanness, and the emotional cacophony of divorce . . . told through the pen of a pastor. For those who ask what a celibate priest could possibly understand about marital relationships, the very rich answer is in December Roses."" --Greg Mills President of Catholic Divorce Ministry About the Contributor(s): Hector M. Medina is a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Ft. Worth, Texas. Ordained in 1984, he has worked on the parish, diocesan, and national level with divorced persons. A composer with four songs listed with Oregon Catholic Press, he is currently pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas.