For those seeking a declaration of invalidity or dissolution of a marriage, the first step is to meet with an Advocate. Advocates assist those seeking a declaration in understanding what is involved in the process and guiding them through their particular case. Every Catholic priest and deacon assigned in the Diocese of Austin has been trained by the Tribunal to serve as an Advocate. In addition, the Diocese trains laypersons who are approved by the judicial vicar and have a mandate from their pastor to serve as an advocate in their parish. At St. Thomas Aquinas parish, in addition to Father Albert and the deacons, there are three Diocesan-trained lay annulment advocates: Gina Cook, Tina Noa and Diana Jetter. To contact an advocate, email or call the Pastoral Associate.

The Diocese of Austin also offers the Pathways to Healing Seminar. The purpose of this seminar is to help participants begin a journey in awareness of the healing process of nullity (annulment) through a straight-to-the-heart response to persons considering or already seeking a declaration of nullity. The seminar is a time for reflecting on the demise of one's marriage by taking a journey from pain and loneliness to acceptance and healing.
If you have further questions, please contact Deborah Patin at (512) 949-2478.

To register: https://www.austindiocese.org/register-for-annulment-pathway-to-healing

For more information regarding the annulment process, visit the Diocesan website: https://austindiocese.org/tribunal-annulment-services.