Catholic Diocese of Buffalo > Family Life

FOR THE MARRIED …

God knows marriage isn't always easy. For most of us, our marriages go along smoothly enough between two extremes: a wife and husband in a thriving marriage who are energized and can withstand just about any circumstance they face OR a couple who feel imprisoned in unhappy marriages whose growth is stifled together and individually. Wherever you are on the continuum we hope you find resources to work out the simple and not-so-simple roadblocks that crop up in any marriage.

PROGRAMS

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER weekends offer a couple an opportunity to deepen one's love relationship with each other and God as well as revitalizing one's marriage using a technique of loving communication. The weekend dates for 2009 are:

November 20 - 22, 2009 Notre Dame Retreat House, Canadaigua, NY

For more information, call 1-877-NYS-WWME or www.wwme-wny.org. For a brochure, call your Office of Family Life Ministries at 716 847-2210 or e-mail familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Erie Diocese

For more information and registration call Sue & Ed Hudson at 814 823-4600 or www.WWME.org

RETROUVAILLE (Rediscovery) is a peer ministry program which consists of a weekend and several follow up sessions focusing on issues related to a couple’s emotional life such as disillusionment, anxiety, lack of communication. Other areas touched on include forgiveness, healing, conflict, trust, intimacy and sacrament. This is a Catholic program that welcomes couples of all faith expressions as well. Over 75% of participating couples are not only still together but definitely have improved their once strained marital relationship. Go to www.marriagesaved.com for an overview of this program and to register if desired. All weekends are held at St. Columban Center, Derby . For more information and registration contact Bill & Jane at 716 652-7138. For a brochure call your Office of Family Life Ministries at 716 847-2210 or e-mail familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

ENRICHMENT: Programs, workshops or presentations focusing on various topics to support, promote, reinforce and enhance the lived reality of one’s sacrament are offered by contacting your Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org. Click here to download the Marriage Enrichment brochure.

HEART TO HEART: Heart to Heart PAIRS workshops help married couples learn the tools to communicate skillfully, to problem solve constructively, and to build lasting love in their relationship with their spouse. The rippling effect benefits their children and family as well. PAIRS teach skills that not only strengthens their marriage but prevents separation or divorce. Instructors are certified. THIS PROGRAM IS FOR COUPLES WHO ARE MARRIED, NOT TO THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED. For information, contact Dan and Irma at www.hearttoheartworkshops.com, or call 716 652-9273 or e-mail hearttoheartworkshops@yahoo.com.

Teams of Our Lady is a program that seeks to promote authentic married love that not only leads to God but also to a more intimate and enriching relationship with one's spouse. A Team is a group of five to seven couples affiliated with a Catholic priest/chaplain who have freely decided to join together to find support in their efforts to lead Gospel lives. For more information or a brochure, contact Joe and Diane Manuel at 716 649-7118 or e-mail eshdiane@aol.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Marriage Counseling Center: Services include couple counseling which can assist couples to end destructive emotional cycles and work toward rebuilding trust. The Center can help one with problems that can trouble any relationship such as communication, conflict, sexuality, addictions, blended family, affairs, separation and more. For a brochure, contact Family life at 716 847-2210. To schedule an appointment, contact the Marriage Counseling Center directly at 716 839-4406. They believe your counselor should "be the last one in the room to give up on your marriage."

Pastoral Solutions Institute: An organization dedicated to providing resources religiously committed Catholics need to live more faithful and abundant marriage, family and personal lives. The Institute created by Gregory Popcak, MSW, Ph.D nationally recognized Catholic Psychotherapist, offers resources and professional services to help overcome difficulties like marital conflict, childrearing problems, depression, anxiety, stress and the difficulties associated with major life transitions.

For an initial, free, informational interview, call 740 266-6461. For articles and much more, go to www.exceptionalmarriages.com or e-mail counseling@exceptionalmarriages.com.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCHURCH AND INTERFAITH FAMILIES: Is dedicated to serving the needs of both Interchurch and Interfaith families. While aware of some obvious differences between Interchurch couples (people from different Christian traditions) and Interfaith couples (people from different faith traditions) their focus is on what we all have in common and to assist couples and families in both groups through many articles, links and their newsletter “Together.” For more information go to www.naiifonline.org.

EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

FOR YOUR MARRIAGE: The U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) provides information and resources about a healthy marriage in general and Catholic marriage in particular. Offerings include a Daily Marriage Tip, regularly changing features like the monthly Marriage Quiz, Book of the Month review and Marriage in the News. They continue to add to the content on a regular basis. Go to this user friendly website: www.foryourmarriage.org. Click on Caring For Your Marriage, then Resources.

Together For Life: A FREE quarterly e-newsletter that offers encouragement and support for you and your spouse. Offers practical insights and wisdom from well-known Catholic marriage professionals; real-life stories from newly married couples; advice on enriching the spiritual dimension of married life together; special reflections by Father Joseph Champlin.

"Together with Jesus COUPLE PRAYER SERIES." The Couple Prayer Series Home Edition provides six sessions of Videos on DVD plus supportive print materials. Couples grow into genuinely closer love relationships with God and one another by gradually sharing a wide variety of supportive prayer experiences including thanking God together, asking God's help together, forgiving together, blessing each other and more. For more information, contact Bob and Kathy Ojies Couple Prayer Series e-mail host@coupleprayer.org. Mail P.O. Box 1270, Royal Oak, MI 48068. Phone 248 546-7253 or www.coupleprayer.org.

Family Matters: Family Matters is a collection of resources and inspiration on marriage, parenting and spirituality insights developed by Susan Vogt, nationally recognized Catholic author and speaker. The marriage section includes articles, recommended books, marriage enrichment programs, home activities, links to related websites and over 200 archived Marriage Moments. Go to www.SusanVogt.net. Click on Marriage, then Resources.

EXPERIENCES/EVENTS

WORLD MARRIAGE DAY is observed in February, generally on the second Sunday of the month. This year it is February 14, 2010. Liturgical suggestions and ideas for celebrating the gifts of Christian marriage and family are provided annually to parishes or individuals. Go to web site http://wmd.wwme.org and look for WMD:Clergy/FamilyLifepackage.

JUBILARIANS: Annual Diocesan Recognition of couples celebrating their 50th, 60th and 70 plus anniversaries of marriage. Celebration includes Mass and reception to follow. Families are welcome to attend with honorees. Mass is signed for person who are deaf or hearing impaired. Handicap accessible and preferential seating for persons with disabilities is available.

As part of our Annual Diocesan Recognition, all couples whether they can or cannot attend the Anniversary Mass will receive an Anniversary Scroll signed by Bishop Kmiec in honor and remembrance. Please contact your local parish for information.

Wedding Anniversary Mass will take place Sunday, October 18, 2009 at St. Joseph ’s Cathedral. A reception will follow at the Buffalo Convention Center . Family and friends are welcome. There is no cost for this event. HONOREES WILL HAVE THEIR PHOTO TAKEN WITH BISHOP KMIEC. This photo is a free gift to the honorees as a special remembrance. There is also an option available for families to have their own family picture taken. This is only with one’s family NOT with Bishop Kmiec. Cost is reasonable. For more information contact your Office of Family Life Ministries at 716 847-2210 or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

RESOURCES:

FAMILY MATTERS: Family Matters is a collection of resources and inspiration on marriage, parenting and spirituality insights developed by Susan Vogt, nationally recognized Catholic author and speaker. The marriage section includes articles, recommended books, marriage enrichment programs, home activities, links to related websites and over 200 archived Marriage Moments. Go to www.SusanVogt.net. Click on Marriage, then Resources.

Marriage Spirituality Tune Up Packet Available: Jesus’ first miracle takes place at the Wedding Feast of Cana. John 2:1-12. Jesus changes the water into wine – the best wine! He changes the ordinary into the extraordinary. Every marriage whether months or 75 plus years has tune up needs. For your free, practical, useful packet with many suggestions and resources to enrich your marriage, contact your Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or e-mail at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

Marriage Moments: Short, concise, practical, helpful ideas to enhance your relationship are provided weekly. Reference your Chancery newsletter. Click on here for current insight.