Family Life

The Office of Evangelization and Education provides:

1. Initial training and ongoing formation/support for parish marriage coordinators;
2. Support for priests and deacons in their unique role in the process;
3. Formation and resources for Natural Family Planning;
4. Two annual retreats for engaged couples; and
5. Formation and resources for marriage and family enrichment.

1. Initiate the marriage roadmap by meeting with couples to welcome them and determine their freedom to marry;
2. Get couples moving in the marriage roadmap by connecting them with the parish marriage coordinator and the Prepare/Enrich assessment;
3. Participate in a theology discussion night with each couple and their mentors;
4. Plan the wedding liturgy with the couple;
5. Preside at the wedding liturgy; and
6. Support ongoing marriage and family enrichment.

1. Review the Prepare/Enrich assessment with couples to help them identify strengths and areas of growth;
2. Connect couples with their chosen mentor couple through an initial meeting;
3. Coach mentor couples as they share their marriage;
4. Connect couples with a Natural Family Planning course;
5. Follow up with couples and mentors after the wedding;
6. Coordinate and support marriage and family enrichment opportunities.

Mentor couples share their marriage and accompany couples through the marriage roadmap.  They should be at least 30 years old, married at least 10 years, and be practicing Catholics.  They are chosen by the couple because they have a marriage and family they admire.

1. Connect with the couple at an initial meeting with the parish marriage coordinators;
2. Plan a fun double date with the couple to start the mentoring relationship;
3. Meet with the couple monthly for six months, including a theology discussion night with the parish priest;
4. Provide a connection to parish life for the couple;
5. Continued friendship and accompaniment after the wedding day.

• how to accompany couples through the marriage roadmap;
• how to coach mentor couples;
• Natural Family Planning resources; and
• creative resources for marriage and family enrichment.

• Parish marriage coordinators (married couples);
• Priests and deacons (Zoom option available); and
• Lay parish employees.

• 9:00am-9:45am: Coffee and espresso bar, bagels and sweet rolls
  
• 9:45am: Welcome, introductions, and prayer
  
• 10:00am-Noon: Formation and discussion 
  • Clergy will have separate 10am-11am session with a Zoom option available
    
• Noon: Lunch
  
• 12:45pm-2:45pm: Formation and discussion
  
• 2:45pm: Break
  
• 3:00pm-3:45pm: Zoom Q&A with Witness to Love office
  
• 4:00pm: Mass
  
• 5:00pm: Social and dinner
• 6:30pm: End