Office for Marriage and Family Life

The Office for Marriage and Family Life provides various formational, educational, supportive, social and spiritual enrichment programs and resources for individuals, couples and families.


Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass 2024 with Bishop Koenig

*Click on the THIS link to access the pictures from the Annual Wedding Mass – February 11, 2024

Celebrate National Marriage Week 2024 – The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (February 11) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family.


*For those of you who enjoy seeing these in your church bulletins, you can join the email list by visiting the website: SusanVogt.net

Marriage Moments for April

Apr. 1: This year, Easter is Sunday March 31 and April Fools’ Day is Monday, April 1. What an odd conjunction of days. One is holy and joyous; the other is fun and silly. May Easter also renew your love despite silly ways you may have hurt your beloved and may April Fools’ Day be full of holy laughter.

Apr. 8: “Love is not simply a feeling; it is a decision.” (Marriage Encounter principle) When the feeling fades – as it does at times – recommit to building your relationship. DO something loving for your spouse. Feelings are passing. Love goes beyond feelings.

Apr.15: April 15-21 is Natl. Week of Conversation. https://conversation.us/ As a start, look at your marriage conversations. There is plenty to disagree about. Practice respectful conversation at home. Click here (https://www.livingroomconversations.org/friends-and-family-guide/) for tips on Skills, Pitfalls, and First Aid.

Apr. 22: Earth Day is April 22. This year April 22 is also the first day of Passover. In marriage often one partner knows more about a topic than the other. Perhaps each of you could google one of these and update the other. Learn from each other.

Apr. 29: Praying together is good, but your schedule and style of prayer may not match. For a start, try picking a specific and regular time each day to say a prayer for your beloved, perhaps when you start the car, wash your hands, brush your teeth, etc. Try it.

Parenting Pointers for April

Apr. 5: April 5 is Golden Rule Day. .. (https://www.internationaldays.co/event/golden-rule-day/r/recJumxksyOfUGegU#:~:text=April%205th%20is%20Golden,cultures%20and%20religions%20on%20earth) “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.” (Mt. 7:12) It’s both common sense and Biblical sense; but sometimes hard to do. This week when you feel angry or irritated at someone, flip the roles and try to treat them with honest love.

Apr. 12: Chores #1: As a parent what’s your favorite household job? What’s your least favorite? Few kids like chores but it’s part of being a family. Talk with your kids about their preferences. Discuss whether anybody wants to switch their current tasks.

Apr. 19: April 22 is Earth Day. (https://www.earthday.org/planet-vs-plastics/) Take stock of what your family already recycles (paper, plastic, cans…) Good! Can you add one more thing to recycle? Better yet, commit to avoid buying something that needs recycling, especially plastic.

Apr. 26: Chores #2: Two weeks ago, I suggested discussing who does what chores around the house. Were any decisions made to change jobs? Are your kids complaining or too busy to help at home? Have a family meeting and make a plan you can all live with.


Painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Prayer for Families

God, Our Father, loving and merciful, bring together and keep all families in perfect unity of love and mutual support.

Instill in each member the spirit of understanding and affection for each other.

Keep quarrels and bitterness far from them, and for their occasional failures instill forgiveness and peace.

                                                                   May the mutual love and affection of parents set a good example.

                                                                   Instill in children self-respect that they may respect others and grow in mature independence.

                                                                   May the mutual affection and respect of families be a sign of Christian, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

                                                                   Amen.