Diocese of Joliet

EVENT CALENDAR

JANUARY 2012
January 3	The Joliet Diocesan Natural Family Planning Program teaches the Billings Ovulation Method (BOMA) of NFP. These two-session classes in English and Spanish are offered in the following locations for a fee of $50 per couple. Parishes may also arrange on-site classes. St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville: Two-session classes in English are held the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact KarenBuchert, Diocesan Coordinator of Natural Family Planning, at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . (Session 1 of 2) Two-session classes in Spanish are held the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact instructor, Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 or 815-735- 8439(cell) . St John the Baptist in Winfield : Two-session classes in English are held September through May on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . Provena St. Mary Hospital in Kankakee: Classes in English are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.The second session is arranged individually.In the Kankakee area, classes are also offered in Spanish by appointment. Contact instructor Lupita Sorich, 815- 932-9275 or 815-735-8439 (cell). Christ the King in Lombard: A two-session class will be held on March 12 and 26. Contact Karen Buchert at 630- 551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. St Joseph Church in Addison: Class #1 in English will be held on September 22, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Class #1 in Spanish will be held on October 20, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Future classes will be by appointment. Contact instructor Edna Pasillas at 630-279-6553 x 101 or email her at rauledna2@catholic.org . Independent NFP providers also offering instruction within the Joliet Diocese: Creighton FertilityCare at www.fertilitycare.org; Couple to Couple League (CCL) at http://ccli.org; Natural Family Planning Life Institute, Inc. at 815-722-1660; Chris & Michele Gonzales—Harrisburg Sympto-Thermal Method—contact them at NFPwithCandM@gmail.com or 847-749-8333.
January 14	RAINBOWS TRAINING--New Coordinators: Divorce, death, and other life-altering crises are devastating experiences and often put family members at risk for a multitude of short and long-term negative effects. However, research findings also indicate that with proper intervention, families adjust to the loss and recover well. The RAINBOWS® program continues to offer healing to families experiencing these losses. RAINBOWS® is a program which provides support for children and adolescents who are grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis such as death or divorce. RAINBOWS® enables those grieving to share their feelings in an accepting, supportive, confidential small group environment facilitated by trained, caring and compassionate adults. Program sites may send their volunteers to the following training sessions at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Pre-registration is required. The cost for new coordinator training is $35.00. New facilitator training is $55.00, and includes lunch. Please call 815-838-5334 or see the flier to register.
January 17	*NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES:* NFP classes are held at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Karen Buchert 630-551-1712 for more information. (Session 2 of 2 sessions) See January 3 entry above for information on other available classes.
January 17	DIVORCE & BEYOND , a ten session self-help divorce support group, provides a caring, prayerful setting where members can process the experience of grief during and after the divorce procedure. A Divorce and Beyond group is a safe, confidential place where you can begin to resolve the feelings of confusion, anger, and loneliness that often accompany divorce. St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield will be hosting a group, beginning this evening. Please call Kathy Yonker at 815-483-3639 for more information or to register.
January 21	RAINBOWS TRAINING--New Facilitators: Divorce, death, and other life-altering crises are devastating experiences and often put family members at risk for a multitude of short and long-term negative effects. However, research findings also indicate that with proper intervention, families adjust to the loss and recover well. The RAINBOWS® program continues to offer healing to families experiencing these losses. RAINBOWS® is a program which provides support for children and adolescents who are grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis such as death or divorce. RAINBOWS® enables those grieving to share their feelings in an accepting, supportive, confidential small group environment facilitated by trained, caring and compassionate adults. Program sites may send their volunteers to the following training sessions at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Pre-registration is required. The cost for new coordinator training is $35.00. New facilitator training is $55.00, and includes lunch. Please call 815-838-5334 or see the flier to register.
January 26	DIVORCE & BEYOND , a ten session self-help divorce support group, provides a caring, prayerful setting where members can process the experience of grief during and after the divorce procedure. A Divorce and Beyond group is a safe, confidential place where you can begin to resolve the feelings of confusion, anger, and loneliness that often accompany divorce. St. Matthew Parish in Glendale Heights will be hosting a group, beginning this evening. Please call Deacon Bob at 630-469-6300 x 315 for more information or to register.
January 27-29 (in Wood Dale)	WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: A weekend designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another in order to deepen and enrich their relationship. Take a new look at your marriage! For more information or to register, please call 630-577-0778 or on the web at www.wwme.org
January 28	MARRIAGE RETREAT: The Path to Heaven Through the Sacrament of Marriage will be offered at St. Anthony Parish in Frankfort on Saturday, January 28 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Dr. Jim Healy will speak on How to Be Married and Stay Engaged from 9:45 am to 11:00 am and Peg Wilkins will be speaking on How to Avoid the Hidden Challenges in Marriage at 11:30 am. The event will conclude with a renewal of marriage vows. Those outside the parish who wish to attend should contact Sophie Follenweider or Kathleen Littleton at 815-469-6072 by Tuesday, January 24.
FEBRUARY 2012
February 3-5	*“COMING HOME* ”: A Healing Retreat for Military Veterans--Mayslake Ministries offers a free spiritual outreach program to our military men and women suffering from PTSD. “Coming Home” is a Christian-based retreat program designed to help military men and women begin spiritual healing and reconciliation with God and with one another in the light of the Gospel message. This program is about spirituality, not religion, and it specifically addresses the issue of Post-Traumatic Spiritual Stress Disorder. This is a two–night weekend retreat offered at no cost. It runs from 7 pm Friday to 11 am Sunday. The retreat is co-facilitated by Sr. Linda McClenahan and Augie Sisco. There will be a private room and bath. All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast are included. The weekend will take place February 3-5 at Cabrini Retreat Center , Des Plaines and May 11-13 at Cardinal Stritch Retreat House, Mundelein. For more information or to register, please go to www.mayslakeministries.org or call 630-268-9000**.
February 7	The Joliet Diocesan Natural Family Planning Program teaches the Billings Ovulation Method (BOMA) of NFP. These two-session classes in English and Spanish are offered in the following locations for a fee of $50 per couple. Parishes may also arrange on-site classes. St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville: Two-session classes in English are held the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact KarenBuchert, Diocesan Coordinator of Natural Family Planning, at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . (Session 1 of 2) Two-session classes in Spanish are held the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact instructor, Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 or 815-735- 8439(cell) . St John the Baptist in Winfield : Two-session classes in English are held September through May on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . Provena St. Mary Hospital in Kankakee: Classes in English are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.The second session is arranged individually.In the Kankakee area, classes are also offered in Spanish by appointment. Contact instructor Lupita Sorich, 815- 932-9275 or 815-735-8439 (cell). Christ the King in Lombard: A two-session class will be held on March 12 and 26. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. St Joseph Church in Addison: Class #1 in English will be held on September 22, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Class #1 in Spanish will be held on October 20, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Future classes will be by appointment. Contact instructor Edna Pasillas at 630-279-6553 x 101 or email her at rauledna2@catholic.org . Independent NFP providers also offering instruction within the Joliet Diocese: Creighton FertilityCare at www.fertilitycare.org; Couple to Couple League (CCL) at http://ccli.org; Natural Family Planning Life Institute, Inc. at 815-722-1660; Chris & Michele Gonzales—Harrisburg Sympto-Thermal Method—contact them at NFPwithCandM@gmail.com or 847-749-8333.
February 7	DIVORCE WORKSHOP:TTuesday, February 7, 2012, 7 pm - 9 pm at Mayslake Ministries in Lombard -- This night of renewal for divorced persons focuses on the journey toward healing and toward new beginnings. The adjustment following a divorce can be very stressful emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It challenges our sense of self, our sense of family, and can often challenge our lifestyle. The facilitator, Dr. Barb Jarvis-Pauls, will present helpful ways of coping with the changes and will point out the pitfalls that can prevent our progress towards greater well-being. There will be time for discussion as well as input. The cost is $15 per person. For registration or more information, please call 630-268-9000 or visit mayslakeministries.org .
February 9	DIVORCE & BEYOND , a ten session self-help divorce support group, provides a caring, prayerful setting where members can process the experience of grief during and after the divorce procedure. A Divorce and Beyond group is a safe, confidential place where you can begin to resolve the feelings of confusion, anger, and loneliness that often accompany divorce. St. Dennis Parish in Lockport will be hosting a group, beginning this evening. Please call Pat Roderick at 815-254-9966 for more information or to register.
February 10-12	*ENGAGED ENCOUNTER:* Catholic Engaged Encounter sponsors weekends to prepare couples for marriage. Engaged couples are given the opportunity to talk honestly and intensively about their prospective life together. Topics include an assessment of the couple’s strengths and weaknesses, ambitions and goals, attitudes about money, sex, children, family, and relationship to the Church. Personal reflection and communication are the main focus. Engaged Encounter is approved as a marriage preparation program. The dates for 2012 are: Feb 10-12, Mar 16-18, Apr 13-15, May 18-20, Sept 7-9, Oct 12-14, and Nov 16-18. Please see the brochure or go to jolietee.org for more information or to register.
February 11	SUPPORT GROUP ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR PARENTS RAISING SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS: While there are support groups for parents of children with special needs that focus on parenting, there seems to be no faith-based support groups for parents of special needs children where the focus is on the marriage. As a follow-up to a retreat offered last fall, there will be a meeting on Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm to discuss what the needs are for ongoing support, and how that support might best be offered. The event will be held at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville, and will be facilitated by Dr. Jim Healy. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks are on the house, and couples will share the cost of pizza at noon. If at all possible, please register by Monday, January 30 by calling 815-838-5334.
February 11	WORLD MARRIAGE DAY CELEBRATION:World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as head of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life. Come and celebrate your wedding again by joining other couples at a “Re-Celebrate Your Wedding” reception hosted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. The reception will be held at Harry E. Anderson VFW Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory Road, New Lenox, IL from 6 pm to 11 pm on February, 11th. Cost is $50.00 per couple. All guests are invited to send in pictures and favorite songs to show off your wedding day again. To register, call Jim and Jane Richards at 815-744-7660 or t jrichards75@hotmail.com ..
February 12	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 1 of 2 sessions)
February 17-19 (in Burr Ridge)	WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: A weekend designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another in order to deepen and enrich their relationship. Take a new look at your marriage! For more information or to register, please call 630-577-0778 or on the web at www.wwme.org
February 21	*NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES:* NFP classes are held at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Karen Buchert 630-551-1712 for more information. (Session 2 of 2 sessions) See February 7 entry above for information on other available classes.
February 25	SUPPORT FOR ANNULMENT PETITIONERS: Working on annulment papers alone without support can be emotionally painful, overwhelming, and frustrating. Papers often get shoved into a desk drawer and more often than not are never worked on again. In an effort to help petitioners complete their part of the process, the Center for Family Ministry, in collaboration with the Joliet Diocesan Tribunal, is once again offering a Day of Support for Annulment Petitioners on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Charles Pastoral Center. This workshop is designed for divorced persons who have petitioned the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal to begin the annulment process, have submitted basic data for introduction of their case, but have not yet completed the Marriage Summary Questionnaire. Catholics and non-Catholics are welcome to attend, whether remarried or not. The day will include time for prayer, time for questions and input regarding annulments and the relational issues dealt with in the questionnaire. Participants will have time to begin or continue filling out the questionnaire within a supportive environment. Pastoral ministers will be available for private consultation. Lunch and materials are included in the $25 fee. To register, please see the registration flier or call 815-838-5334. For more information ask for Desirée Marciani.
February 26	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 2 of 2 sessions)
MARCH 2012
March 2-4 (in Wood Dale)	WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: A weekend designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another in order to deepen and enrich their relationship. Take a new look at your marriage! For more information or to register, please call 630-577-0778 or on the web at www.wwme.org
March 3	FOCCUS TRAINING: The FOCCUS Pre-Marital Inventory is part of the marriage preparation process for all engaged couples in the Diocese of Joliet. Priests, deacons, and other parish staff members, as well as parish-approved and trained lay couples, may use FOCCUS with engaged couples. There will be a one-day training program for FOCCUS at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Certain changes have been made in the way FOCCUS is to be scored and administered, and participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with these changes. Unless they already possess one, individuals or couples will need to purchase the FOCCUS Facilitator Manual for $50.00. There will also be a $10.00 fee for the day, which includes lunch. Pre-registration is required by February 27. Please see the flier or call 815-838-5334 for more information or to register.
March 3-4	JOYFUL AGAIN! A Widowed Ministry: *JOYFUL AGAIN!* is a two-day program for widows and widowers who want to resolve the grief they feel inside and begin to live again after the death of their spouse. The weekend employs a series of video presentations, followed by facilitated small group discussion and private reflection time. Through this process, individuals gain new insights and receive encouragement and support. Trained facilitators, who have been widowed themselves, help with the weekend and the discussions. The next weekend at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville will be on March 3-4, 2012. For more information, to register, or for other dates and locations, please contact Charlotte Hrubes at 708-354-7211 or check the web at www.joyfulagain.org.
March 6	The Joliet Diocesan Natural Family Planning Program teaches the Billings Ovulation Method (BOMA) of NFP. These two-session classes in English and Spanish are offered in the following locations for a fee of $50 per couple. Parishes may also arrange on-site classes. St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville: Two-session classes in English are held the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact KarenBuchert, Diocesan Coordinator of Natural Family Planning, at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . (Session 1 of 2) Two-session classes in Spanish are held the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact instructor, Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 or 815-735- 8439(cell) . St John the Baptist in Winfield : Two-session classes in English are held September through May on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . Provena St. Mary Hospital in Kankakee: Classes in English are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.The second session is arranged individually.In the Kankakee area, classes are also offered in Spanish by appointment. Contact instructor Lupita Sorich, 815- 932-9275 or 815-735-8439 (cell). Christ the King in Lombard: A two-session class will be held on March 12 and 26. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. St Joseph Church in Addison: Class #1 in English will be held on September 22, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Class #1 in Spanish will be held on October 20, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Future classes will be by appointment. Contact instructor Edna Pasillas at 630-279-6553 x 101 or email her at rauledna2@catholic.org . Independent NFP providers also offering instruction within the Joliet Diocese: Creighton FertilityCare at www.fertilitycare.org; Couple to Couple League (CCL) at http://ccli.org; Natural Family Planning Life Institute, Inc. at 815-722-1660; Chris & Michele Gonzales—Harrisburg Sympto-Thermal Method—contact them at NFPwithCandM@gmail.com or 847-749-8333.
March 11	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 1 of 2 sessions)
March 12	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS: This two-session class will be held at Christ the King Parish in Lombard. Session two will take place on March 26. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. (Session 1 of 2 sessions)
March 16-18	*ENGAGED ENCOUNTER:* Catholic Engaged Encounter sponsors weekends to prepare couples for marriage. Engaged couples are given the opportunity to talk honestly and intensively about their prospective life together. Topics include an assessment of the couple’s strengths and weaknesses, ambitions and goals, attitudes about money, sex, children, family, and relationship to the Church. Personal reflection and communication are the main focus. Engaged Encounter is approved as a marriage preparation program. The dates for 2012 are: Mar 16-18, Apr 13-15, May 18-20, Sept 7-9, Oct 12-14, and Nov 16-18. Please see the brochure or go to jolietee.org for more information or to register.
March 17	THE MARRIAGE YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED: Dr. Gary Chapman is the internationally-known author of The Five Love Languages as well as 29 other books on marriage. A noted marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars, his radio program, Building Relationships, airs weekly on more than 100 stations. He will be coming to the Joliet Diocese on Saturday, March 17. The event is sponsored by IMET – the inter-parish marriage enrichment team, a consortium of nine Dupage County parishes who have banded together for the purpose of offering high quality marriage enrichment events. The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted will run from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. It will be held at the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church gymnasium in Lisle, Illinois. Couples both married and engaged will benefit from practical sessions addressing topics like communication differences, dealing with criticism, understanding love languages, and making sex mutually fulfilling. Dr. Chapman gives valuable tips on breaking unhealthy patterns and developing a God-honoring, happy marriage. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. For more information or to register, please go to the IMET website at www.imetevents.org.
March 20	*NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES:* NFP classes are held at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Karen Buchert 630-551-1712 for more information. (Session 2 of 2 sessions) See March 6 entry above for information on other available classes.
March 24	CONFERENCE FOR THE DIVORCED & WIDOWED: A Day of Spiritual Refreshment and Freedom entitled " Why So Weary? Lay Down Your Burdens and Be Set Free": We who are divorced or widowed often carry our burdens, hurts, losses, and anxieties as if they were woven into the very fabric of our being. But they’re not! We can learn to let go and be set free. On Saturday, March 24, 2012, Father Tony Taschetta, popular preacher, teacher and retreat master will encourage, teach, and cajole us to “let go and let God.” This classic presentation, full of wisdom and humor, is known and loved throughout the diocese. Do take the time to join us as we seek the joy and freedom of God’s children that is our birth right. Father Tony has been a priest of the Diocese of Joliet for 40 years and has served at seven parishes and one mission church. Countless listeners would echo the words of former parishioners: “I will go anywhere to hear him.” “He helped me to understand what life is all about.” By choice he is not a national speaker, but his presentations are unsurpassed anywhere. Besides relationships with his own family of origin, his parishioners and his students, Father Tony’s journey in life has led him to be an adoptive father of two and subsequently a grandfather of five. He is well acquainted with the highs and lows of parenting and family life. The tragic loss of a nine year old grand-daughter was one of his saddest experiences; conversely, his witness of the birth of her sister has been his happiest. The day begins with a 9 to 9:40 a.m. check-in at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville, and concludes with a 4 p.m. vigil Mass celebrated by Bishop Siegel. The suggested donation of $35 includes morning coffee, lunch and resource materials. Please register by using the registration form in the brochure or by calling the Center at 815-838-5334.
March 25	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 2 of 2 sessions)
March 26	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS: This two-session class will be held at Christ the King Parish in Lombard. Session one took place on March 12. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. (Session 2 of 2 sessions)
March 30-April 1	RACHEL'S VINEYARD: This retreat is for reconciliation and healing for post-abortive women and men, sponsored by the Joliet Diocesan Life Office. The spring weekend date is March 30-April 1, 2012 at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Confidentiality and privacy will be strictly observed. To learn more about a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat or to register, contact Kay Corcoran 1-866-99-4-GIVE. For more information and a list of retreats in other locations, go to www.rachelsvineyard.org or call the toll free national hotline 1-877-HOPE-4ME.
APRIL 2012
April 3	The Joliet Diocesan Natural Family Planning Program teaches the Billings Ovulation Method (BOMA) of NFP. These two-session classes in English and Spanish are offered in the following locations for a fee of $50 per couple. Parishes may also arrange on-site classes. St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville: Two-session classes in English are held the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact KarenBuchert, Diocesan Coordinator of Natural Family Planning, at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . (Session 1 of 2) Two-session classes in Spanish are held the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact instructor, Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 or 815-735- 8439(cell) . St John the Baptist in Winfield : Two-session classes in English are held September through May on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . Provena St. Mary Hospital in Kankakee: Classes in English are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.The second session is arranged individually.In the Kankakee area, classes are also offered in Spanish by appointment. Contact instructor Lupita Sorich, 815- 932-9275 or 815-735-8439 (cell). Christ the King in Lombard: A two-session class will be held on March 12 and 26. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. St Joseph Church in Addison: Class #1 in English will be held on September 22, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Class #1 in Spanish will be held on October 20, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Future classes will be by appointment. Contact instructor Edna Pasillas at 630-279-6553 x 101 or email her at rauledna2@catholic.org . Independent NFP providers also offering instruction within the Joliet Diocese: Creighton FertilityCare at www.fertilitycare.org; Couple to Couple League (CCL) at http://ccli.org; Natural Family Planning Life Institute, Inc. at 815-722-1660; Chris & Michele Gonzales—Harrisburg Sympto-Thermal Method—contact them at NFPwithCandM@gmail.com or 847-749-8333.
April 13	MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT EVENT: Couples from the Joliet Diocese are urged to “cross over the border” and come to Holy Family Parish in Inverness for a special evening of marriage enrichment on Friday, April 13. Dr. Jim Healy, director of the Joliet Diocesan Center for Family Ministry, will be speaking on How to Be Married and Stay Engaged from 6 pm to 9 pm. Those wishing to attend should contact Mary Whiteside at mwhiteside@holyfamilyparish.org . 847-907-3450
April 13-15	*ENGAGED ENCOUNTER:* Catholic Engaged Encounter sponsors weekends to prepare couples for marriage. Engaged couples are given the opportunity to talk honestly and intensively about their prospective life together. Topics include an assessment of the couple’s strengths and weaknesses, ambitions and goals, attitudes about money, sex, children, family, and relationship to the Church. Personal reflection and communication are the main focus. Engaged Encounter is approved as a marriage preparation program. The dates for 2012 are: Apr 13-15, May 18-20, Sept 7-9, Oct 12-14, and Nov 16-18. Please see the brochure or go to jolietee.org for more information or to register.
April 15	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 1 of 2 sessions)
April 17	*NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES:* NFP classes are held at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Karen Buchert 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation or for more information. (Session 2 of 2 sessions) See April 3 entry above for information on other available classes.
April 20-22 (in Burr Ridge)	WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: A weekend designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another in order to deepen and enrich their relationship. Take a new look at your marriage! For more information or to register, please call 630-577-0778 or on the web at www.wwme.org
April 20-22	RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND for Troubled Marriages: Without attention and care, marriages wither. Couples slowly drift apart or are torn apart by terrible words and actions. Retrouvaille is helping couples put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. Retrouvaille, pronounced “re tro vi”, is a French word meaning “rediscovery.” Retrouvaille begins with a weekend experience, led by trained married couples and a priest. Through presentations, private reflection, and couple communication, couples who are seriously troubled and who may be contemplating divorce are invited to reflect on their marriage and what they need to do to save it. For more information, or to register, please call 708-802-1830 or check the web at www.retrouvaille.org.. Upcoming dates for a Retrouvaille weekend in the Diocese of Joliet are April 20-22 and September 28-30. Upcoming dates in Chicago are August 3-5 and December 7-9.
April 21	ANNULMENT FIELD ADVOCATE Training: Quite often, a person investigating the possibility of an annulment has a difficult time beginning the process. Those who help the person at a parish normally become the field advocate for that person’s annulment investigation. This training, co-sponsored by the Center for Family Ministry and the Joliet Diocesan Tribunal, will provide potential “field advocates” and existing field advocates with pertinent information about the annulment process. It will also offer practical ways for the field advocate to assist, coach, and be spiritually supportive with the annulment petitioners. Those who come to this training are selected and sent by their parish staff and, in turn, will serve their own parish in this ministry. The training takes place at St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville, from 8:30 a.m. (check-in begins at 8:00) to 3:00 p.m. and will be conducted by Father Joseph Tapella and Desirée Marciani. The $15 fee covers coffee, lunch and materials. Although the training is not mandatory, it will be very helpful, both for existing field advocates, and those who want to begin to reach out to annulment petitioners. For registration information, concerns, or questions, call Desirée Marciani at 815-838-5334 or see the flier.
April 28-29	ENCUENTRO CATÓLICO PARA PAREJAS COMPROMETIDAS (Catholic Engaged Encounter-Spanish): Fechas de 2012: April 28 & 29, August 4 & 5, November 10 & 11 http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/ohm/engagedEncounter.asp or call 815-838-4007 to make a reservation.
April 29	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 2 of 2 sessions)
MAY 2012
May 1	The Joliet Diocesan Natural Family Planning Program teaches the Billings Ovulation Method (BOMA) of NFP. These two-session classes in English and Spanish are offered in the following locations for a fee of $50 per couple. Parishes may also arrange on-site classes. St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville: Two-session classes in English are held the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact KarenBuchert, Diocesan Coordinator of Natural Family Planning, at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . (Session 1 of 2) Two-session classes in Spanish are held the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact instructor, Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 or 815-735- 8439(cell) . St John the Baptist in Winfield : Two-session classes in English are held September through May on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . Provena St. Mary Hospital in Kankakee: Classes in English are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.The second session is arranged individually.In the Kankakee area, classes are also offered in Spanish by appointment. Contact instructor Lupita Sorich, 815- 932-9275 or 815-735-8439 (cell). Christ the King in Lombard: A two-session class will be held on March 12 and 26. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. St Joseph Church in Addison: Class #1 in English will be held on September 22, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Class #1 in Spanish will be held on October 20, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Future classes will be by appointment. Contact instructor Edna Pasillas at 630-279-6553 x 101 or email her at rauledna2@catholic.org . Independent NFP providers also offering instruction within the Joliet Diocese: Creighton FertilityCare at www.fertilitycare.org; Couple to Couple League (CCL) at http://ccli.org; Natural Family Planning Life Institute, Inc. at 815-722-1660; Chris & Michele Gonzales—Harrisburg Sympto-Thermal Method—contact them at NFPwithCandM@gmail.com or 847-749-8333.
May 6	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 1 of 2 sessions)
May 11-13	*“COMING HOME* ”: A Healing Retreat for Military Veterans--Mayslake Ministries offers a free spiritual outreach program to our military men and women suffering from PTSD. “Coming Home” is a Christian-based retreat program designed to help military men and women begin spiritual healing and reconciliation with God and with one another in the light of the Gospel message. This program is about spirituality, not religion, and it specifically addresses the issue of Post-Traumatic Spiritual Stress Disorder. This is a two–night weekend retreat offered at no cost. It runs from 7 pm Friday to 11 am Sunday. The retreat is co-facilitated by Sr. Linda McClenahan and Augie Sisco. There will be a private room and bath. All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast are included. This weekend will take place at the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein. For more information or to register, please go to www.mayslakeministries.org or call 630-268-9000**.
May 15	*NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES:* NFP classes are held at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Karen Buchert 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation or for more information. (Session 2 of 2 sessions) See May 1 entry above for information on other available classes.
May 18-20	*ENGAGED ENCOUNTER:* Catholic Engaged Encounter sponsors weekends to prepare couples for marriage. Engaged couples are given the opportunity to talk honestly and intensively about their prospective life together. Topics include an assessment of the couple’s strengths and weaknesses, ambitions and goals, attitudes about money, sex, children, family, and relationship to the Church. Personal reflection and communication are the main focus. Engaged Encounter is approved as a marriage preparation program. The dates for 2012 are: May 18-20, Sept 7-9, Oct 12-14, and Nov 16-18. Please see the brochure or go to jolietee.org for more information or to register.
May 20	NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS in Spanish: This class will be held at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 for more information or to register. (Session 2 of 2 sessions)
JUNE 2012
June 5	The Joliet Diocesan Natural Family Planning Program teaches the Billings Ovulation Method (BOMA) of NFP. These two-session classes in English and Spanish are offered in the following locations for a fee of $50 per couple. Parishes may also arrange on-site classes. St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville: Two-session classes in English are held the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact KarenBuchert, Diocesan Coordinator of Natural Family Planning, at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . (Session 1 of 2) Two-session classes in Spanish are held the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact instructor, Lupita Sorich at 815-932-9275 or 815-735- 8439(cell) . St John the Baptist in Winfield : Two-session classes in English are held September through May on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org . Provena St. Mary Hospital in Kankakee: Classes in English are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.The second session is arranged individually.In the Kankakee area, classes are also offered in Spanish by appointment. Contact instructor Lupita Sorich, 815- 932-9275 or 815-735-8439 (cell). Christ the King in Lombard: A two-session class will be held on March 12 and 26. Contact Karen Buchert at 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation. St Joseph Church in Addison: Class #1 in English will be held on September 22, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Class #1 in Spanish will be held on October 20, 2011 at 7 p.m. Class #2 will be by appointment. Future classes will be by appointment. Contact instructor Edna Pasillas at 630-279-6553 x 101 or email her at rauledna2@catholic.org . Independent NFP providers also offering instruction within the Joliet Diocese: Creighton FertilityCare at www.fertilitycare.org; Couple to Couple League (CCL) at http://ccli.org; Natural Family Planning Life Institute, Inc. at 815-722-1660; Chris & Michele Gonzales—Harrisburg Sympto-Thermal Method—contact them at NFPwithCandM@gmail.com or 847-749-8333.
June 8-10 (in Burr Ridge)	WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: A weekend designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another in order to deepen and enrich their relationship. Take a new look at your marriage! For more information or to register, please call 630-577-0778 or on the web at www.wwme.org
June 8-10 (in Wood Dale)	WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: A weekend designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another in order to deepen and enrich their relationship. Take a new look at your marriage! For more information or to register, please call 630-577-0778 or on the web at www.wwme.org
June 19	*NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES:* NFP classes are held at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a $50 fee per couple. Contact Karen Buchert 630-551-1712 or kbuchert@dioceseofjoliet.org to make a reservation or for more information. (Session 2 of 2 sessions) See June 5 entry above for information on other available classes.

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