December 1, 2021

When you receive Christmas cards in the mail, pray that evening for the people who sent the card. Display the cards visibly in your home to remember those family members and friends throughout Advent.

November 30, 2021

“Prayer increases the strength and spiritual unity of the family, helping the family to partake of God’s own ‘strength’.” – St. John Paul II, Letter to Families. A great encouragement to pray together as a family today!

November 29, 2021

Advent check-in #1: Does your family have a plan for Advent this year? It’s not too late – even simple traditions like the Advent wreath and Christmas crèche help prepare your hearts and home for the coming of Jesus.

November 28, 2021

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from…the anxieties of daily life.” (Lk 21:34) Advent is a time of watchful expectation. What anxieties make you “drowsy”? Talk about them with your spouse, and pray for peace.

November 27, 2021

The new liturgical year starts Sunday. Have you and your spouse made any new year’s resolutions for your spiritual life?

November 26, 2021

The Thanksgiving feast is over, the house full of stuff or people. Or perhaps you’re traveling. In the holiday hectic schedule have you thanked God for a house to gather in, food to share, family and friends with whom to share memories?

November 25, 2021

For most families, Thanksgiving is a time to reconnect. It’s also a time when in-laws often mix. Happy marriages benefit from healthy extended families. Seek to know at least one extended family member better today.

November 24, 2021

As parents, you and your spouse are the first teachers of your children. Think back on the past week, what have you taught them about how to love God and others?

November 23, 2021

Fighting Fair Tip: Keep it current. One couple has the rule of thumb that any issue older than the milk in the refrigerator is no longer game. Recurring arguments usually mean that there’s something behind the presenting problem that irks the other.

November 22, 2021

Even if it’s not your cup of tea, sometimes it’s worth doing something with your spouse just because it pleases the other person. For example, watch her favorite movie or his favorite sport, try dancing together, take a lesson…

November 21, 2021

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God.” (Rev 1:8) Jesus, King of the Universe, is the “beginning” and the “end.” As we near the end of the liturgical year, pray to the Lord for a new beginning as well, in whatever difficulty you’re finding it hard to overcome.

November 20, 2021

Do kids drain you of so much energy that you just want to stay home and veg out on a Saturday night? Consider sharing kids! Offer to take another couple’s child(ren) one night to give them a break. Then trade the favor next week.

November 19, 2021

“Taking time to rest is not a waste of time.” (Susan Vogt) Give yourself a break today or tomorrow – from kids, a chore, worries. It doesn’t have to be long to refresh. Take your cue from God, our Creator, who rested on the seventh day.

November 18, 2021

“Fidelity to promises is truly a masterpiece of humanity!” – Pope Francis. Pray today for the grace to be faithful to all your promises, especially those made to your spouse and children.

November 17, 2021

St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a married saint. Tragically, her husband died only a few years into their marriage. Today, ask her intercession for widows and widowers, and support those who have lost a spouse.

November 16, 2021

The holiday season is fast approaching! Check in with your spouse about what holiday traditions they want to observe this year so you can start planning together.

November 15, 2021

Sometimes spouses have different conversation goals. One person might want to just talk or vent, while the other might want to fix the problem. Both approaches are fine, but it’s important to be clear about each spouse’s needs in the moment.

November 14, 2021

“You will show me the path of life…” (Ps 16:11) Do we trust that God not only has a plan for our marriage but that he will also show us the way? God is always there to guide us; are we open to being guided by Him?

November 13, 2021

Winning an argument is not about proving you’re right. It’s not YOUR problem or MY problem. It’s OUR problem. Sometimes the marriage can win if you lose.

November 12, 2021

As the weather gets colder, what inside activities do you like doing with your spouse? Reading, playing games, watching movies? Winter provides a lot of time to relax and just be together with your family.

November 11, 2021

“The wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament.” (Dan 12:3) Wisdom is a precious gift and blessing to husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. Pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom today to live your vocation well.

November 10, 2021

What is a unique endearing quality of your beloved? Have you told your spouse? No harm in saying it again. Do it today.

November 9, 2021

What makes a happy marriage? Many things of course, but one glue that helps a lot of couples is being able to laugh when things go wrong. Is there a blunder that happened in your past that you’re now able to laugh about?

November 8, 2021

“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary.’” Sometimes it can be frightening to embark upon a big change in life – a birth, a death, changing a job, retirement…Call to mind a fear from the past or a current one. Trust that sharing it with your beloved will be safe.

November 7, 2021

“For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mk 12:44) We are called to give ALL to God, not just our surplus. Offer your day, your work, and your marriage to the Lord. Live for Him.

November 6, 2021

Parenting teens can put stress on a marriage. If you have teenagers you know that you can’t always choose the time when they are in the mood to talk. When they do open up, stop and listen.

November 5, 2021

November is a time to be thankful for all the gifts that we have, but it is also a time to give back. Is there a charity that you and your spouse could volunteer for this month?

November 4, 2021

Fighting Fair Tip: Never say “never” or “always.” It may seem like your spouse always leaves the gas tank on empty, but there’s always an exception that blows your argument. Be more accurate by saying “often” or “sometimes.” It stings less and creates less defensiveness.

November 3, 2021

What do you think your spouse’s most cherished personal possession is? Check it out. Were you right?

November 2, 2021

Do you know much about your spouse’s deceased relatives? Spend some time remembering and telling stories about the holy people in each other’s past. They may not have been perfect, but they are all in the family.

November 1, 2021

The Catholic Church honors all saints known and unknown today. Although your spouse may not always act like a saint (none of us do!), look for a saintly quality today. Is he or she generous, humble, self-sacrificing, courageous…? Celebrate the saint you are living with today.