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Our mission is to make "family" a more important part of "church."

2013 Winter/Spring
Event Calendar
Support Groups
Archived Newsletters

Dr. James Healy, Director
Desirée Marciani, Associate Director
Pat Spain, Secretary

The Office of Family Ministry
St. Charles Pastoral Center
101 W. Airport Road
Romeoville, IL 60446-6527
phone: (815) 838-5334
fax: (815) 834-4045
email:  familyministry@dioceseofjoliet.org
website:  http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/familyministry

 

Upcoming Family Ministry Programs:

For program information or registration on these and other Family Ministry programs , please click on the program below or go to the Event Calendar:

 

Peer Support Group Facilitator Training --August 24

See our Event Calendar for ongoing Natural Family Planning classes

in English & Spanish

 

 

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER

Portiuncula Center for Prayer

9263 W. St. Francis Road, Frankfort

English Dates for 2013:

Aug 9-11, Sep 6-8, Oct 4-6

To register and pay online, go to www.jolietee.org

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Spanish Dates for 2013:

Julio 27 y 28, Octubre 26 y 27

For reservations and location, call 815-834-4037

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WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

For reservations, call 630-577-0778 or go to www.wwme.org/

Dates for 2013:

Burr Ridge-- Jun 21-23, Aug 9-11, Oct 11-13, Dec 6-8

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RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND FOR TROUBLED MARRIAGES

For reservations, call 708-802-1830 or go to www.retrouvaille.org

Dates for 2013:

  Chicago: Jun 21-23; Darien: Sep 27-29; Chicago: Dec 6-8

 

 

CLICK HERE

for the U.S. Bishops' latest resource on

our understanding of marriage!

 

To order copies of Everything I Have is Yours (English)
or Todo Lo Que Tengo es Tuyo (Spanish) by Bishop J. Peter Sartain,
please email the Center for Family Ministry
with the mailing address and number of copies desired,
or call 815-838-5334.

Everything I Have is Yours—
Understanding God's Plan for Marriage
and the Gift of Life

A booklet by Bishop J. Peter Sartain (now Archbishop of Seattle)

Dear Friends,

Preparing couples for marriage is one of the most enjoyable aspects of priestly ministry. I have had the priviledge of helping prepare hundreds of couples, and my contact with them did not stop with their wedding. I have celebrated anniversaries with them, baptized their children, prayed with them in times of confusion. I see myself as part of each family, no matter how long ago their wedding or how far away they now reside.

I have also learned many things from these families. They have taught me about love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and generosity. They have supported my ministry with words of encouragement and prayer. They have inspired me by their love of God and their faithfulness to the Church.

Isn't that the way it should be? If as St. Paul wrote marriage is a sign of Christ's love for the Church, doesn't it make sense that strong marriages and families enrich the Church and keep us close to Christ? Doesn't it make sense that families
who stay close to Christ
will grow stronger and more loving?

I have prepared this booklet as a gesture of love and support for the engaged and married couples of the Diocese of Joliet.
It is a reflection on marriage and the gift of life.

Each chapter ends with reflection questions and a simple prayer. I hope that couples will read this booklet together, taking time to reflect and pray together as you do. I hope you will find in these pages nourishment for your love, wise guidance from God, and encouragement in discipleship. God bless you! May you always remember that God is the origin of your love.

Sincerely in Christ,
Bishop J. Peter Sartain

 

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MAKING A CASE FOR MARRIAGE

Why does marriage matter? Why choose to get married? Why work to stay married? These and other such questions are on people's minds today.

For help in answering the questions many will turn to social science research. Fortunately there is a lot of helpful information in the research that affirms the role and value of marriage for individuals, families, and society.

Pope John Paul II has written: "The Church values sociological and statistical research when it proves helpful in understanding the historical context in which pastoral action has to be developed and when it leads to a better understanding of the truth" (On the Family, 5).

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, through its National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage has explored how Church belief and teaching about marriage are strengthened and confirmed by the findings of social science research. Click on the above link or For Your Marriage to find answers to these and other questions:

Why Isn't It Good to Live Together Before Marriage?

Why Do Children Need Married Parents?

Why Is Marriage Good For Both Men and Women?

Thinking About Divorce? Think Again.

What Promotes A Happy and Lasting Marriage?

What Are The Facts About Natural Family Planning?

What Difference Does Marriage Education Make?

 







 

Agencies and offices are partially or fully funded by
generous donations to the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal.

 © 2006 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet, Illinois