March 01, 2024 – Marriage, Family & Life eMonthly

Divorced? Saint Joseph Parish is hosting a twelve-week Surviving Divorce program that begins on April 2 – June 18,   6:30 – 8 PM, Saint Joseph Ministry House (218 W 13th Street/Catholic Radio office, WTJW 93.1FM Sign in yard) Find comfort and counsel consistent with Catholic Church teachings.  Visit saintjosephjasper.org  events page to register and to find out more information.
Surviving Divorce features twelve video presentations that cover topics such as shock and grief, anger and forgiveness, money issues, dealing with children and a former spouse, and annulment and remarriage. This program is for the newly separated and divorced and those still struggling with issues many years later. It will help them find answers to their questions, restore their hope, and begin authentic healing. It is open to both men and women.

– February 28, 2024 – Volume 100

OP-ED: TIME TO PUT WOMEN’S HEALTH FIRST

Kellie Fiedorek, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, succinctly articulated the FDA’s disregard for women’s health with its continual removal of safety measures for women taking abortion-inducing drugs.

Q&A ON ABORTION PILLS

An updated, in-depth Q&A on chemical abortion explains what it is, how it works, maternal risks, the FDA’s actions, and the ongoing controversy surrounding it.

MARCH WORD OF LIFE

The March issue of Word of Life is available in English and will be posted on the same page in Spanish as soon as it is available. Previous issues can be found in the Word of Life archive.

ST. JOSEPH ADOPTION NOVENA

The Novena to St. Joseph for Those on the Path of Adoption will take place March 10-18 leading up to the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on March 19. Participants can sign up in English or Spanish to receive the novena by email or text message. Resources are available to promote and share the novena in parishes and schools.

PARISH ACTION GUIDE: SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY

This year, the Sunday of Divine Mercy falls on April 7, so the sample timeline for the parish action guide begins in February. A webinar recording provides an introduction to the feast and its connection to pro-life ministry and gives an overview of the action guide, which is available in English and Spanish.

PARISH ACTION GUIDE: ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD

Because March 25 is the Monday of Holy Week this year, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is transferred two weeks later to Monday, April 8. The parish action guide (English | Spanish) was developed with suggested dates based on the observance of the solemnity on March 25. So, please bear in mind the transfer of the observance to April 8 when viewing the action guide. For example, the sample timeline would start in mid-February instead of early February.
Over 100 couples across nine of our diocesan parishes are involved with the Grace Marriage enrichment program.  Couples are meeting at their parish 1x every 3 months to discuss life and marriage and become more intentional about their relationships.  Feedback on this program is very positive from both women and men.  Start-up is easy.  CMI funds are available for this ministry. Contact Eric at egirten@evdio.org for details.
Fr. Mike talks about Marriage
Building a Eucharistic Marriage
Tuesday Marriage Tip
The Book of Sirach and Marriage – 7

(Sirach 9: 9) “With a married woman dine not, recline not at table to drink by her side, lest your heart be drawn to her and you go down in blood to the grave.”

Very ominously stated, this passage should be applied to and observed by both men and women alike. Many married people that I have counseled have admitted to having opposite sex friends that they are very close to and with whom they often spend one-on-one time. I have worked with spouses who like to go out to bars to unwind, only to have gotten themselves in trouble with another man or woman while drinking too much. I have also counseled many who have used friends of the opposite sex for consolation about problems in their marriage.

When we get married, friendships with the opposite sex have to change and strict boundaries need to be placed on those connections. Alone time with them should cease to occur and time together with them should be in the midst of a group with the full knowledge of our spouse. Anything else is just playing with fire. Even if our intentions are pure and we have ‘no attraction’ to them, being with them a lot or by ourselves often leads to scandal and concern by spouse regarding the fidelity of the other person’s actions.

When things are rocky in our marriage, if we are not working through these issues with our spouse and instead are talking to others of the opposite sex about our struggles, we leave our hearts open to temptation of the other person who is giving us their full time and attention. And if you are doing this while you’re also under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your chances of making poor decisions multiplies exponentially. Once the damage is done, the job of rebuilding trust can be a long and excruciating journey that many marriages don’t survive.

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The Office of Family & Life is giving away ten marriage builder packages!  Each package is a $59.00 value.  Parishes can also create eucharistic marriage groups for their married couples.  CMI funds are available for this ministry.  Contact for details.

Unpacking the Vocation of Marriage through
Scripture and Married Saints 146558

Friday, March 8, 2024 – Sunday, March 10, 2024
Archabbey Guest House and Retreat Center(Married Couples Only) With all the distractions of the world, children, jobs, volunteering, etc., the vocation aspect of marriage can fall to the wayside. This retreat will provide inspirational e…

Redbird Ministries Presentation for Parish Council, Parish Sub-Committees or Commissions, Small Groups

Leslie Schaefer presents her family’s story of child loss; information on child loss in general and how the diocesan Redbird Ministries group is expanding to meet the needs of parents who have experienced child loss.  The presentation includes a 12 minute video from Redbird Ministries and Q/A.  20-60 minute presentation range.

Contact Leslie at Leslieschaefer.redbird@gmail.com or Eric at egirten@evdio.org to schedule a presentation or for more information.

Rachel’s Vineyard 
Know someone who is?
Hurting from abortion?

Retreats
Rachel’s Vineyard offers post-abortion healing retreats for women and men suffering from the emotional and spiritual wounds of abortion.
Upcoming Retreats in 2024: 
May 3-5 – Owensboro, Kentucky area
July 19-21 – Cullman, Alabama
October 11-13 – Owensboro, Kentucky area

Contact Rita: (270) 474-4707
Email:  retreats@hopeafterabortionky.com

The Diocese of Evansville offers small group support for those who are same-sex attracted and looking to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church.  Meetings starting soon.  If interested, email courage@evdio.org.
Service Opportunities

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