USCCB RELEASE: "Among the many blessings that God has showered upon us in Christ is the blessing of marriage, a gift bestowed by the Creator from the creation of the human race…
It is a source of blessing to the couple, to their families, and to society and includes the wondrous gift of co-creating human life.
Indeed, as Pope John Paul II never tired of reminding us, the future of humanity depends on marriage and the family."– U.S. Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Letter:Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan
National Marriage Week 2014
FEBRUARY 7-14, 2014
National Marriage Week USA
This goal of this annual event is to promote the benefits of marriage for men, women, children and society, and to connect people with marriage resources around the country. For more information: www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org. . .
Bishop Richard J. Malone (Buffalo, chairman of USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth) sent a letter to all U.S. bishops, saying that National Marriage Week, World Marriage Sunday, and Valentine's Day "provide an opportunity to celebrate the gift and blessing of marriage and to affirm and support engaged and married couples." In his letter, Bishop Malone recommends resources for dioceses and parishes to "continue to build a culture that honors and promotes marriage and the family." Read Bishop Malone's letter here.
- News Release: Bishop Says National Marriage Week USA, World Marriage Day, Provide Opportunities to Celebrate Marriage (Feb. 6, 2014)
- Virtual Marriage Retreat for National Marriage Week
- Enter the giveaway on the For Your Marriage Facebook page!
FEBRUARY 9, 2014
World Marriage Sunday
Sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. For more information:http://wmd.wwme.org/index.html. . .
For priests and deacons: Resources for Preaching for World Marriage Day(provided by the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth).
FEBRUARY 14, 2014 - ROME
Engaged couples' audience with Pope Francis
Theme: "The Joy of Yes Forever"
For more information: Pontifical Council for the Family website. . .
Upcoming Events
JULY 16 - 19TH, 2014 - DAYTON, OH
National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (NACFLM) Conference
Theme: "Home is a Holy Place"
More details forthcoming
OCTOBER 5 - 19TH, 2014 - ROME
Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
The theme of the 2014 Extraordinary Synod is "the pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization." In preparation for this event, the Vatican has issued apreparatory document. . . , typically called the "Lineamenta."
There was a press conference. . . in the Vatican about the Extraordinary Synod on November 5, 2013 (click on "Traduzione in lingua inglese" to read in English). A summary of the press conference can be found on the Vatican News. . . website.
You can find more information on the Synod process on the Vatican website. . . .
"Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan."
- Pope Francis (12.26.13 address)
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan."
- Pope Francis (12.26.13 address)
SEPTEMBER 22 - 27TH, 2015 - PHILADELPHIA, PA
World Meeting of Families
Sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Family
MORE. . .
Major USCCB Marriage Projects & Activities
The Bishops launched the National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage in 2005 to call attention to the meaning and value of married life for the Church and for society.
The Initiative's activities have included: a research study on Catholics and marriage; focus groups with married couples, priests, and canon lawyers; an analysis of diocesan marriage preparation policies; and dialogues with social scientists and theologians.
Marriage and the Family in the United States: Resources for Society - A review of the social science research on the benefits generated from families rooted in marriage, divided into three sections: psychological well-being, physical health, and economic benefit.
The "For Your Marriage" website offers practical help and advice whether you're seriously dating, engaged, or at any stage of married life. If you're planning a Catholic wedding, you'll find information on everything from choosing the music and readings to marrying someone who is not Catholic. On the homepage check out the Daily Marriage Tips, book reviews, and blogs.
The "Marriage: Unique for a Reason" website is part of the Bishops' ongoing efforts to promote and defend marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It offers many educational resources for Catholics and others who want to better understand and articulate the Church's teaching on marriage. The website currently features two DVD resources, "Made for Each Other" and "Made for Life," as well as FAQs about marriage, a library of Church teaching, and a regularly updated blog.
The Por tu Matrimonio Web site is a space to inspire, assist and encourage Spanish-speaking couples to live their relationship more fully. Por Tu Matrimonio es un espacio para inspirar, ayudar y exhortar a las parejas de habla hispana a vivir más plenamente su relación de pareja.Seven Day Virtual Marriage Retreat
Looking for a way to enrich your marriage? Take our seven day virtual retreat! Each day for seven days, set aside some time for prayer. Read about the theme for the day, reflect on a real-life marriage scenario, and think about ways to strengthen your own marriage. Even better, do the retreat together with your spouse!
The retreat is loosely based on the U.S. bishops’ 2009 pastoral letter Marriage: Love and Life and the Divine Plan.
Seven Day Virtual Marriage Retreat
Day One: Marriage is a Blessing and a Gift
Day Three: Marriage is a Communion of Love and Life
Day Four: Marriage is a Sacrament of Christ’s Love
Day Seven: Marriage is a School of Love and Gratitude
Comments