If a man and woman marry in order to be companions on the journey from earth to heaven, then their union will bring great joy to themselves and to others. St. John Chrysostom
Marriage is a sacred vocation, a divine calling to love and support one another through every stage of life. It is a journey filled with joy and challenges, growth and sacrifice, love and perseverance. Through this bond, couples have the opportunity to draw closer to God and reflect His love to the world. This week marks National Marriage Week (February 7-14), a time dedicated to strengthening marriages and fostering lasting love. The theme for this year, "Pursuing a Lasting Love," encourages couples to nurture their relationship through faith, communication, and intentional love.
Daily Practices for a Stronger Marriage
To support this mission, we invite you to incorporate a few simple but meaningful daily practices, inspired by activities from National Marriage Week, into your marriage: • Start your day with intention: Before saying goodbye in the morning, take a moment to ask your spouse about one important thing happening in their day. This small habit strengthens connection and prevents the drift of inattention. • Share your day’s journey: When you reunite after work or a busy day, talk about the most stressful and joyful moments. Offering a listening ear—without advice, unless asked—builds emotional support and deepens understanding. • Express appreciation daily: Acknowledge something your spouse has done or admire a specific quality in them. Gratitude fosters love and respect.
Show affection beyond words: A gentle touch, an unexpected hug, or a spontaneous kiss can reinforce emotional closeness and remind your spouse of your love.
A Call to Prayer for Marriages
Whether married or single, we are all called to support the vocation of marriage through prayer. A novena—a nine-day series of prayers—can be a powerful way to intercede for married couples. Here are a few novenas you can pray:
• Novena for Marriage (click HERE or go to https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-marriage)– A brief but impactful prayer for couples. • Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage, inspired by the writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá (Click HERE or go to https://opusdei.org/en/article/novena-for-a-happy-and-faithful-marriage/) • Additionally, last week we introduced an At Home Marriage Retreat, designed to bring Christ more deeply intoyour marriage. (Click HERE or go to https://www.usccb.org/resources/NMW2025AtHomeRetreatENG.pdf
Remember that simply talking to God honestly is a form of prayer also. Join us on each First Friday, after the 9:00 AM Mass as we pray the rosary while in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We appreciate the support of your prayers. If you have ideas and suggestions to share about activities or topics to pursue, please contact Debbie at [email protected]
Respect Life
We are each called by God to be that light of Christ that breaks through the darkness. We are called to be his disciples, continually transformed by our encounter with him and sharing in his mission. Jesus came that we might have life.
Even though our human senses perceive bread and wine, the Eucharist is Jesus—body, blood, soul, and divinity. Similarly, many people do not realize or acknowledge the sanctity of human life when it is hidden in the womb. Both instances call for us to help others recognize these sacred gifts that may not be perceivable through our human senses.