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Marriage & Family Life
News & Updates
December 2024
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Dear Friends,
I hope each of you has had a blessed Advent season thus far! I must confess, I was so excited at the beginning of Advent - I worked hard to finish my shopping and other major projects to free up more time for prayer and anticipation. Then reality hit: unexpectedly getting a new car, new difficulties with our kids, and new (urgent) projects here at work. I was less than excited to welcome these "blessed interruptions," angry that they were keeping me from time with the Lord. It took a while, but I eventually realized that this lack and longing I was feeling was exactly what Advent is all about - waiting on the Lord. I cannot manufacture the peace I'm seeking; I can only receive it as a gift when He wills to give it.
So, if your Advent sounds similar, here's our opportunity in our final week to re-turn towards Him, in patient expectations. Maranatha - Come, Lord Jesus!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas,
Doug
PS - I'll be on vacation for most of the Christmas season, as will many in the Pastoral Center. I return on Monday, January 6, just in time for the Epiphany.
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February 28 - March 2, 2025
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Our retreats give engaged couples an opportunity to connect deeply with each other, other couples, and the Lord as they prepare for their marriage. Couples remark how meaningful it is to step away from wedding planning and the busy-ness of life to focus on marriage planning with their beloved.
We have 2 retreats scheduled for 2025 and are growing to 3 in 2026! Share the dates and registration link below with your couples today!
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Each year close to Valentine's Day, a special week is set aside to honor and uphold marriage across the United States. The USCCB has organized several resources for parishes to observe National Marriage Week. We encourage your parish to discuss how you might observe this week and lend support to the marriages in your parish!
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Saturday, January 18 | 8am-Noon | St. Mary of the Hill, Hubertus
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Do you need facilitators trained for pre-marital inventory work with your engaged couples? We will be offering in-person training for the Prepare/Enrich inventory for new facilitators. Join us at:
*Facilitators can be individuals or a couple. The price is the same for either.
Registration Deadline: Thursday, January 9th
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Compass aims to anticipate the needs of Catholic parents, accompany them through the trials and joys of family life, and point them to faithful answers to life's difficult questions. The Archdiocese of Detroit has curated hundreds of blogs, podcasts, and videos from a wide range of topics to help parents raise their children to be saints! Check it our and share it with your families.
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Regional Gatherings | February 2025
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Similar to 2024, this year's Staff Mission Days will be an opportunity for us to listen to you, as parish leaders, especially around Sacramental Preparation. There will also be time to spend dreaming up solutions together, reconnecting with other parish staff, and praying together.
These days are for any parish staff responsible for aspects of evangelization and catechesis, especially preparation for the sacraments- clergy, catechetical leaders, pastoral associates, DREs, Directors of Youth Ministry, Directors of Adult Formation, and others who pass on the faith. Dates and locations for 2025 include
(all days run 8:30am-2:30pm):
- Tuesday, Feburary 11 | St. Martin of Tours in Franklin
- Wednesday, February 12 | St. Joseph in Grafton
- Tuesday, February 18 | St. Peter in Slinger
- Thursday, February 20 | St. Dominic in Brookfield
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Upcoming Events, News, & Links
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Our offices sponsor many events for you to receive deeper training and support to help you and your parishioners encounter Christ and be formed in ways your parish might not be able to do alone. Learn more about them below, and help us share the word to your parishioners (or come yourself!):
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Marriage Preparation Links
Events & News from the Archdiocese
- Healing the Whole Person: Engaging Your Story | Various Dates & Locations | Parish Series with 8 pre-recorded videos
- Emmaus 90 | Emmaus 90 is returning in 2025! Registration is now open and you can register here!
- 34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service | Saturday, Jan 18, 2025 | St. Francis of Assisi, Milwaukee
- Position Changes: if your parish has changes to your catechetical staff (DREs, YMs, Adult Formation, etc.), please let us know! We want to make sure they get added to the correct email lists, and we often only know if you tell us.
More Updates from Us and Our Friends
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