Advice to the Groom

The wedding season is moving into high gear. With attention focused on the bride, the groom often gets overlooked. A wise dad shares practical–and touching–advice with his soon-to-be-married son.

A Virtual Marriage Retreat: Day Six

Today’s Theme: Marriage is a Journey of Human and Spiritual Growth Breaking Open the Theme Each stage of marriage has its own joys and sorrows, opportunities and challenges. When understood in the light of Christ’s own journey, they can contribute to human growth and spiritual maturity. That is, a couple grows in holiness by journeying [...]

A Virtual Marriage Retreat: Day Three

Today’s Theme: Marriage Is a Communion of Love and Life Breaking Open the Theme In creating man and woman for each other, God made marriage to be love-giving and life-giving. We call these two purposes or ends of marriage the unitive and the procreative. They are inseparably connected and are ordered to each other. The [...]

A Virtual Marriage Retreat: Day Two

Today’s Theme: Marriage Is the Unique Union of a Man and a Woman Breaking Open the Theme In the beginning, says Sacred Scripture, God created man and woman in his image, “male and female He created them” (Gn. 1:27). In His wisdom, God planned that man and woman would be made for each other.  God [...]

A Virtual Marriage Retreat: Day Seven

Today’s Theme: Marriage Is a School of Love and Gratitude Breaking Open the Theme As Adam recognized Eve as God’s gift to him, likewise, spouses should recognize each other as God’s gift in their lives.  Through life’s journey, sometime a husband or wife may need to reflect on the gift of the other, especially when [...]

A Virtual Marriage Retreat: Day One

Today’s Theme: Marriage is a Natural and a Supernatural Gift Breaking Open the Theme Marriage is a natural gift to society; it is also a supernatural gift to the Church. As a natural institution marriage retains certain God-given characteristics. It is the permanent, faithful union of a man and a woman, intended for the good [...]

A Virtual Marriage Retreat: Day Four

Today’s Theme: Marriage is a Sacrament of Christ’s Love Breaking Open the Theme Jesus heals marriage and restores it to its original purity of permanent self-giving in one flesh. But the Lord does not stop there. Christ generously invites husband and wife to participate in his spousal love for his Church. Christian spouses are invited [...]

A Virtual Marriage Retreat: Day Five

Today’s Theme: Marriage Is the Foundation of the Family and Society Breaking Open the Theme The early Church understood the Christian family as an ecclesia domestica, or domestic church. This idea recognizes that the smallest expression of Church is not the parish, but the Christian family. The family, our first community, is the basic way [...]

Immigration Reform: Keeping Families Clearly in Mind

Scripture “is filled with migrating people who journey toward God,” said Archbishop Wilton Gregory in a speech encouraging strong support for comprehensive immigration reform. His speech, given at a conference sponsored by the U.S. Catholic bishops, highlighted the bishops’ concern that “family reunification remain the cornerstone of our nation’s immigration policy.”

Which Catholic (or Other) Dating Website Is Right for Me?

The United States has over 40 million people registered on over 1,500 online dating sites. It’s helpful to know how they can be useful to Catholics.

Can Dating Websites Help You Find a Spouse?

Almost 40 million Americans have tried internet dating and almost 20% of marriages began as an online relationship. What should you know about the advantages and limitations of dating websites?

June 22, 2012

Every once in a while surprise him/her with a gesture of kindness, such as a cup of coffee or help with the dishes.

Steps For Getting Married Catholic

The Catholic Church has a long history of helping couples to prepare for marriage. It has learned a great deal that can benefit any couple, regardless of religion. Because the Catholic Church wants couples to form strong and lasting marriages.

Moments of Grace

Author Christopher de Vinck gratefully contemplates the people, events and things of daily life. Our reviewer says: “Readers are likely to come upon a few mirror images of themselves in this book’s pages.”

Making "I Do" Work

Celebrating wedding days takes on a deeper meaning when one realizes that a couple’s success in married life affects not only themselves, but also their communities and all of society. Besides giving gifts and throwing showers, what can we all do to support married couples and encourage strong marriages?

Dating? Four Basics to Keep in Mind

Dating can be a wonderful time in a person’s life, challenging a person to grow and to learn more about others. In this article a young adult reflects on four basic points to keep in mind when dating.

The social community

From The Human Family, A Community of Peace Message of Pope Benedict XVI for World Day of Peace 2008 The social community, if it is to live in peace, is also called to draw inspiration from the values on which the family community is based.

A souce of great security for children

From Address of Pope Benedict XVI at the Fifth World Meeting of Families The love between father and mother is a source of great security for children and it teaches them the beauty of faithful and lasting love.

In November 2009 the U.S. Catholic Bishops approved a pastoral letter entitled “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” The letter brings together the Church’s key teachings on marriage as both a natural gift and a sacrament. It explains how marriage is a public commitment between a man and a woman, intended for the [...]

Home Again

So, we made it home from Alabama safely and without any further damage, thank God! Of course, I guess we would have to be extremely unlucky to have a problem on both legs of the trip (or be extremely bad drivers). At the rehearsal dinner last Friday, Daniel and his cousin Michael dressed up as [...]

Premarital Inventories

Readiness for marriage cannot be scientifically measured, but an inventory helps engaged couples to make sure that they have discussed the most important issues. These are NOT tests, but rather instruments that prompt discussion on sometimes sensitive issues

Remarrying Well with Children

Sam (45) and Sally (37) have been married for 2-1/2 years. It’s a second marriage for both. Sam was married at 20, divorced at 35 and has done co-parenting with his ex-wife for a number of years. Sam brings two children from his first marriage, ages 14 and 12.

Afraid a Budget Will Cramp Your Style?

Budgeting falls into the category of things that are good for you but not necessarily emotionally appealing, like flossing your teeth or exercising. The truth of the matter, though, is that everyone budgets. Drawing up a budget is just making your spending more intentional rather than allowing your whims to determine how you will spend your money or your time.

The Lunch Box Legacy

This is a generational story about lunch boxes. My daughter, Carole, wanted a new lunch box for first grade. To save money, I spray painted the old one, much to her dismay.

Family of Origin Exercise

Exchange answers with your fiancé(e). Which experience of your fiancé(e) is most different from yours? Discuss what impact this might have on your future marriage.