The world needs more fathers who say yes to God’s plan for their lives In early May I had the opportunity to attend an extended family gathering with my siblings, several cousins and their families. I was visiting with my brother, John, when he pointed to our cousin, John, and …
Marriage enrichment: Inviting God into a marriage
Prayer between husbands and wives can enhance matrimony by emphasizing listening, forgiveness My husband and I recently attended a Celebration of Life service for the father of a close friend. Our friend’s father, Chester R. Cecil Sr., had been married to his wife, Barbara, for 67 years. The eulogy given …
Marriage enrichment: Marriage Be-Attitudes
Strengthening marriages by strengthening our ‘domestic church’ is possible by modeling sacrificial love This past Christmas we were discussing New Year’s resolutions with our adult children. Our daughter-in-law shared that she and our son weren’t going to be making resolutions this year. She told us they were going to have …
Marriage enrichment: Looking forward to a Synod of Bishops
Special assembly meeting in October 2014 to focus on the pastoral care of the family Pope Francis in early October called for a Synod of Bishops to gather in Rome in October 2014. A Synod of Bishops consists of an assembly of bishops chosen from different regions around the world …
Families often are where we first learn about God
The Catholic Church has referred to the family as the “domestic church” ever since Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, was published during the Second Vatican Council. The term domestic church means that it is within our families that we first learn about God and the Catholic Church. …
Marriage enrichment: Reignite the spark to enrich a marriage
Try breaking old habits, traditions once in a while and other tips to keep the romance alive My husband and I are celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary this month. Somewhere along the line we began a tradition of going out to dinner and a movie to celebrate our anniversary. This …
Marriage enrichment: Advice on natural family planning
NFP Awareness Week occurs in July to raise awareness, help couples be pro-woman, pro-man, pro-child Each year I dedicate my July column to Natural Family Planning Awareness Week. NFP Awareness Week is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and this year the educational campaign that goes along with …
Marriage enrichment: Dads: giving credit where credit is due
Fathers devoted to their families often are unsung heroes, and their impact on children can be immense In today’s culture, fathers often are the unsung heroes of our families. We hear a lot about single mothers and their children but very little about the fathers who stay. We don’t read …
Marriage enrichment: Building peace begins in our families
Important message of Pope Francis should enter our hearts at home, then spread throughout the world On Easter Sunday, during Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi Easter blessing in St. Peter’s Square, he asked that his message of peace enter into people’s hearts and “go out to every house and every …
Marriage enrichment: Savvy marital advice––celebrate humor
Laughter a key ingredient in growing a relationship; children offer top 10 tips for good spousal friendship The 2013 Marriage Celebrations with Bishop Stika are over for the year and planning for the 2014 celebrations has begun. During his homilies at the three celebrations this year Bishop Stika shared a …
Marriage enrichment: Learning to let go is a difficult lesson
Mary set the example in loving her child with an open hand, allowing Jesus the freedom to grow By Marian Christiana Learning to let go can be a challenge for all of us, especially when it comes to our children. Years ago, when our children were young and starting school, …
Holiday togetherness occurs in many ways
By the time you read this my family will have already celebrated Thanksgiving dinner together. Our family couldn’t all be together on Thursday, Nov. 22, so we celebrated early. This might have seemed strange to me at an earlier time in my life but now it makes perfect sense. Thanksgiving …
