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Our mission is to make "family" a more important part of "church."
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Dr. James Healy, Director
Desirée Marciani, Associate Director
Pat Spain, Secretary
Karen Buchert, Natural Family Planning Coordinator
The Center for 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
CLICK HERE
for the U.S. Bishops' latest resource on
our understanding of marriage!
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Fearfully and Wonderfully Made:
Male and Female He Made Them
Enrich & energize your marriage or your Natural Family Planning ministry
We are truly wonderfully and fearfully made and the complexity of human bonding exceeds anything we might imagine. Learn the biology of bonding and attachment. Find out about the consequences of chemical contraceptives no one has told us about. Understanding how we work can only lead to better reproductive choices and to happier lives! Vicki Thorn, the founder of Project Rachel, will be speaking on the Biochemistry of the Theology of the Body at the Archbishop Quigley Center in Chicago on June 9, 2012, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided. Free parking is available. Registration is required for the event. The fee is $25/person or $40/couple. Please use this form or register online at http://www.familyministries.org/.
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Other Upcoming Family Ministry Programs:
Wedding Anniversary Mass--August 19, 2012 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. If you are celebrating your 25th or 50th wedding anniversary this year, please contact your parish office with your name and address or call us at 815-838-5334 so that we may send you a formal invitation.
Rainbows Coordinator Training--September 8
Rainbows Facilitator Training--September 15
Peer Support Group Facilitator Training--September 29
FOCCUS Training--October 6
Marriage Enrichment--October 27
Joyful Again! Widowed Ministry--October 27 & 28
Tree of Light Infant Memorial Mass--November 4
Annulment Process Information Day--November 10
Check back closer to the program dates for registration information.
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CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER in Romeoville
English Dates for 2012:
Sept 7-9, Oct 12-14 and Nov 16-18
To register and pay online, go to www.jolietee.org
Spanish Dates for 2012:
August 4 & 5 and November 10 & 11
For reservations, call 815-834-4037
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
For reservations, call 630-577-0778 or go to www.wwme.org/
Dates for 2012:
Burr Ridge-- June 8-10, Aug 10-12, Oct 12-14 and Dec 7-9
Wood Dale-- June 8-10, Sept 7-9 and Nov 2-4
RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND FOR TROUBLED MARRIAGES
For reservations, call 708-802-1830 or go to www.retrouvaille.org
Dates for 2012:
Joliet Diocese: September 28-30
Chicago: August 3-5 and December 7-9
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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)
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 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 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?
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