Pastoral Outreach to Christian Marriage

Formation, Preparation, Celebration, and Continuing Education
In the Spirit of Cana
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
Formation
Preparation
Celebration
Continuing Education
Conclusion
Appendices
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Twenty Ideas for a Marriage Friendly Parish

  • Develop a Marriage Ministry Team in the parish consisting of 10-15 married couples, including newly married, senior marriages and couples in a second marriage to coordinate the ministry to marriage in the parish. The Family Ministries Office is happy to meet with Marriage Ministry Teams to give guidance and suggestions.
  • Create a prayer group that prays for the engaged couples of the parish. Those who are in long time marriages and those who are widowed may be ideal candidates for this prayer ministry.
  • Celebrate marriage Sunday, speak on the topic of marriage, family and stepfamilies. (2nd Sunday in February)
  • Set a Mass once a year for everyone celebrating a 5 year anniversary with a renewal of vows.
  • Give homilies that explore how couples might apply the scriptures to their daily lives.
  • Regularly include a variety of needs and concerns related to marriage in the Prayers of the Faithful (Guidelines, Appendix J)
  • Before each Mass take two minutes and ask who in the congregation is celebrating a significant event this coming week - birthdays and anniversaries are most likely. Have them stand up and tell how many years, then offer the Mass up for these good people and their celebration.
  • Create a flyer to put in the bulletin that has prayers for married and engaged couples as well as suggestions for activities. (Guidelines, Appendix H and Appendix I)
  • Include promotions for marriage prayers, customs, rituals, and traditions through programs and inserts throughout the year, especially during Advent and Lent in the weekly bulletin.
  • Develop a library that includes books and video tapes which provide practical support and help for marriage. (Guidelines, Appendix G)
  • Create a Marriage Anniversary Bulletin Board in the vestibule of Church and each month change it for the couples celebrating their anniversary that month. Each month it will be different. Ask couples (or their family members/friends) to bring a memento to hang on the board - a photo of themselves, a copy of their wedding invitation or marriage ceremony program. etc..
  • Ask couples to submit their favorite “Marriage memory of 250 words or less and run one a week in the bulletin until they are all used up. Call the column “Marriage Memories”
  • Every week run an article in the bulletin about marriage - a website address (www.smartmarriages.com, www.prepinc.com, www.twogether.org, www.successfulstepfamilies.com,) upcoming seminars or events for couples in the area, good marriage quotes from Smart Marriages website or from the Bible, Family Ministries Office bulletin on marriage, etc.
  • Make available community services that support marriage known through the weekly bulletin.
  • Have someone on staff become knowledgeable to make good counseling referrals to pro marriage counselors. 
  • Contact the area Chamber of Commerce and ask them to work with your marriage team to create a Downtown Dream Date for couples who submit their names to the contest. Have Chamber merchants contribute prizes for dinner, massages, facials, etc, and overnight at the local hotel for the lucky winning couples.
  • Encourage parish leaders and members to attend seminars, talks and workshops on marriage as well as conventions like Smart Marriages, etc.
  • Encourage parishioners to write to legislators about marriage issues
    Provide marriage-oriented education programs that involve the whole family. (Guidelines, appendix G)
  • Encourage couples married 50 years to attend the annual Archdiocesan Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. (check website for date)