The Holy Family serves as a wonderful example of how we share our children All of our children will be home for Christmas. We are very excited about that fact! And two of them will be bringing their spouses with them. Our son has been married for three years now …
Marriage enrichment: Focus on the family
Synod of Bishops preparing to deal with a world of challenges facing family life Families come in all shapes and sizes and every one of them has its own particular set of challenges. Luckily for us, Pope Francis understands the challenges of family life and has decided to see how …
Marriage enrichment: Home really is a holy place
Finding new ways to communicate this message more effectively I have just returned from the National Association of Family Life Ministers (NACFLM) annual conference. The theme this year was “Home is a Holy Place,” which was perfectly timed to tie into the emphasis Pope Francis has placed on the Church …
Marriage enrichment: Following Joseph’s example
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 …
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 …
