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February 12, 2017
Let’s talk about the Vocation of Marriage and how to affirm and support those who have said YES to this foundation of all vocations. We NEED holy marriages for their own sake, and for the fact that 86% of newly ordained priests come from intact families who are striving for holiness by keeping the sacraments close.
A call to the priesthood, religious life, or marriage can more easily be heard in an environment where a family prays together and attends church regularly.
Unfortunately, our society is pushing many young people from even considering marriage, and we see all around us that the institution of marriage is under attack. Thus, every parish should find ways to uplift the marriages in their midst. Here are some ideas on how to do this easily:
1. Write a blurb for bulletin or make announcement at Masses:
Today we celebrate World Marriage Day! Please pray for the married couples and those in marriage preparation from our parish. Prayer cards will be available at the church entrance. God bless all men and women who said YES to the vocation of marriage!
2. Prayer Cards could be handed out:
Check out the new prayer cards
here. If you are new to the website, you will need to register for free. Be assured that your information is safe and never shared. Then, under Phase II and Prayer, click on Marriage Prayer to download, print on card stock paper, and hand out.
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3. This prayer could be blown up and placed at the entrance of the church if you don’t have a card to hand out: |
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Almighty and eternal God,
You blessed the union of married couples
so that they might reflect the union of Christ
with his Church:
look with kindness on them.
Renew their marriage covenant,
increase your love in them,
and strengthen their bond of peace
so that, with their children,
they may always rejoice in the gift of
your blessing.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. |
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4. Recognize couple married longest at Masses:
At the end of Mass, the priest asks all married couples to stand up. They receive a blessing from the priest; then he asks those who have been married 5 years to sit down, and 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and so on until you find that couple who has been married longest. Everyone claps and smiles, and the married couple feels affirmed! Additionally, the young people in the church see everyone lifting up marriage as a wonderful sacrament!
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Remember: Marriages striving for holiness = growing, thriving church and vocations |
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Witness to Love |
https://witnesstolove.org/
Many marriage preparation classes, consist of assigning a mentor or sponsor couple to the engaged couple, but after their few meetings, they part ways. The key to
Witness to Love is that engaged couples are invited to choose their own mentors. The mentors must meet some basic requirements. The married couple is trained to mentor the engaged couple. Unlike other mentor models there is no need to build trust in order for the marriage prep process to work—the trust already exists. Deep conversions, encounter with Christ, and renewal happen consistently for both the mentors and the engaged couple. |
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The Choice Wine
The Choice Wine: 7 Steps to a Superabundant Marriage is a pathway to authentic marital happiness. Couples will learn how to virtually divorce-proof their marriages, experience the superabundant love and mercy of God and realize a foretaste of Paradise in their marriages and families. This book and program was created by the same company Paradisus Dei that started THAT MAN IS YOU, which is in hundreds of parishes across the country. It is free to parishes, so it is perfect for a large or small group setting of couples. You can learn more at the Paradisus Dei website.
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I need your help! Did your ministry use
Hundredfold to start a Vocation Ministry at your parish? If so, let me know how it has helped your ministry grow and the parish to be more vocation-friendly. Your story may be included in the newly revised edition of the book that will be released later in 2017. |
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Don’t forget to email me back with your stories of triumph or struggle. If you have questions, know that I am here to support you in this mission of Building a Culture of Vocations One Parish at a Time! Email me!
As always, know that you are in my prayers. If you think of it, please pray for me, too.
God bless you!
Rhonda Gruenewald
Vocation Ministry
Cell:
281-352-4005
rhonda@vocationministry.com
www.vocationministry.com
St. Alphonsus Liguori, Pray For Us!
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