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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
Rainbows Training
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 register with our flier or call 815-838-5334 for new site start-up, or for training information.
NEW COORDINATOR TRAINING:
Sat., Sept. 11, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
NEW FACILITATOR TRAINING:
Sat., Sept. 18, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
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Program for Those Involved in Marriage Preparation Ministry
Engaged Couples who are "Living Together"
and/or "Spiritual but not Religious"
Two issues that come up frequently in marriage preparation are the topics of couples living together before marriage, and couples who are “spiritual but not religious.” We will take a look at both of these issues on Saturday morning, September 25. This event, presented by Dr. Jim Healy, is primarily for those who are involved in any way in marriage preparation ministry. The event will run from 9:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. and the $10.00 per person fee covers materials and refreshments. Please register with our flier or by calling the Center at 815-838-5334.
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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
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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 |
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.
Why Isn't It Good to Live Together Before Marriage? (English and Spanish)
Why Do Children Need Married Parents? (English and Spanish)
Why Is Marriage Good For Both Men and Women? (English and Spanish)
Thinking About Divorce? Think Again. (English and Spanish)
What Promotes A Happy and Lasting Marriage? (English and Spanish)
What Are The Facts About Natural Family Planning? (English and Spanish)
What Difference Does Marriage Education Make? (English and Spanish)
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