Table of Contents
Infertility Companion for Catholics
Marriage Preparation - Sponsor Couple
Marriage and Parenting Resources
Welcome! Our ministry is to help you prepare for marriage. The Diocese of Davenport requires the following: 1) formal marriage preparation program, 2) necessary documents and forms, 3) a pre-marital inventory (FOCCUS or Catholic Couple Checkup) Several options are available for the formal marriage preparation program: 1) Marriage Preparation Weekend, 2) Sponsor Couple, 3) On-line. We know that is will be a gime of grace as you prepare for your marriage.
Partners on the Journey:
New Catholic marriage enrichment program that was published in August and is being endorsed and promoted by the Diocese. A preview copy is available for review.
Marriage: Unique for a Reason:
An initiative of the USCCB. The Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage is seeking feedback on its website www.marriageuniqueforareason.org and two DVDS/videos: Made for Each Other and Made for Life. If you have used this website or the videos your completion of a 15-minute survey would be appreciated. It can be found at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/USCCBmarriageuniqueforareasonsurvey. The survey will be available until May 14. Completed surveys will be eligible to win a gift of pastoral and catechetical resources from the USCCB.
Marriage Encounter Retreat Weekend:
Marriage Preparation:
The Diocese of Davenport offers several marriage preparation program formats. One day, Weekend (two day) and Online.
Weekend and One-Day: Flyer/Registration Form
The Diocese of Davenport sponsors a marriage preparation program in both a One-day format and a Weekend (two day) format for couples preparing for marriage for the first time. We use a resource for couples preparing for Christian marriage entiled, "For Better and For Ever" by Rev. Robert Ruhnke, C.S.S.R.
The One Day schedule is:
Saturday, 8 am - 9 pm
The Weekend Schedule is:
Saturday 9 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
Please note that the weekend times may vary slightly due to the local Mass schedule.
Fee $125 per couple covers all books and materials plus all meals for the one day format and breakfast and lunch for the weekend format. Does not include lodging.
2013 Dates:
August 10-11: Mt. Pleasant, St. Alphonsus, registration deadline is August 2.
October 12-13: Muscatine, Ss. Mary & Mathias, registration deadline is October 4.
2014 Dates:
January 25: Bettendorf, St. John Vianney, registration deadline is January 17 (space is limited so register early)
February 22: Bettendorf, St. John Vianney, registration deadline is February 14. Space is limited, so register early!
Additional dates and locations for 2014 are still being arranged.
For information about marriage preparation in our diocese contact Barb Butterworth at 563-324-1911 or butterworthb@davenportdiocese.org or IlaMae Hanisch, 641-791-3435 or hanisch@davenportdiocese.org.
Online Marriage Prep:
This online program has been approved by the Diocese of Davenport as a formal marriage preparation program. Inforamtion on the program can be found at http://www.marriageministries.com/courses/catholic-marriage-prep-class/
To register, pay and have access to the online class go to http://www.catholicmarriageprepclass.com/
As of 4-24-13, the online class fee was $195 per couple.
Marriage Preparation-Sponsor Couple:
If you would like to schedule a sponsor couple in your area, please contact your parish priest.
Changes are effective July 1. Only two options for scoring will become effective next month: On-line scoring and FOCCUS, Inc. Scoring Service. Parishes will no longer be using local software to score the inventories.
Free Quarterly E-Newsletter for Engaged, Recently Married, or Couples who work with engaged couples:
Ave Maria Press is sponsoring a free e-newsletter (quarterly editions) for engaged or recently married couples and for couples who work with engaged couples. Couples may register online www.avemariapress.com click on the Together for Life E-Newsletter link on the left menu bar. For more information contact IlaMae Hanisch 641-791-3435 hanisch@davenportdiocese.org.
The USCCB has a website devoted to marriage, www.foryourmarriage.org. There are many articles, interactive surveys, references that support and promote healthy relationships. There is information for those who are dating, engaged, married, and the theology of marriage. The web site also addresses issues in marriage, parenting and family as well as linking to resources and organizations for help in strengthening relationships.
Marriage and Parenting Resources:
"Marriage Moments and Parenting Pointers." This is produced by Susan Vogt and she has excellent resources to support couples and families. Go to her website to review her ample resources: http://www.suanvogt.net/index.html. You have permission to include them in your parish bulletin or newsletter (giving the appropriate source information as a footnote) or have a link to them on your parish website.
Monthly Marriage Moments and Parenting Pointers:
"The family is to serve life, both physically by brining children into the world, and spiritually by handling on values and traditions as well as developing the potential of each member to serve life at every age." Familiaris Consortio, 21. An excellent website for parenting, an extension of Boys Town, may be found at www.parenting.org. This website has valuable resources, articles and stories that offer parenting help in today's world. It is easy to use with quick tabs to search by age of children/youth or by topic. To review Common Sense Parenting or for other family life information contact IlaMae Hanisch, 641-791-3435 or hanisch@davenportdiocese.org.
The Infertility Companion for Catholics - Spiritual and Practical Support for Couples:
Written by Angelique Ruhi-Lopez and Carmen Santamaria and published by Ave Maria Press, www.avemariapress.com. One in six couples in the United States experience infertility. Catholic couples often face additional confusion, worry, and frustration as they explore available medical options. Just published this new resource is comprehensive, compassionate, and Catholic!
Some of the chapters included are: Reproductive Technology and the Catholic Church, Treatment Options for Catholics, Infertility's Effect on Marriage, A Male Perspective on Infertility, The Loss of Miscarriage, and How Family and Friends Can Help.
This is not only a great resource for couples, but for parish nurses, pastors, deacons, parish life coordinators, pastoral associates, bereavement support teams, and Elizabeth Ministry program directors. To review a copy before you order contact IlaMae Hanisch, hanisch@davenportdiocese.org or 641-791-3435.
Family Life Ideas You Can Use:
"The family is to serve life, both physically by bringing children into the world, and spiritually by handling on values and traditions as well as developing the potential of each member to serve life at every age." From Familiaris Consortio, 21. An excellent web site for parenting, an extension of Boys Town, may be found at www.parenting.org. This website has valuable resources, articles and stories that offer parenting help in today's world. It is easy to use with quick tabs to search by age of children/youth or by topic. We have a few copies of Common Sense Parenting for review. If you'd like a copy of other family life information contact IlaMae Hanisch at hanisch@davenportdiocese.org.
Three-part serie will be held January 14, Feburary 18 and March 18 in the Fanning Room at Mercy Medical Plaza, Iowa City. Persons attending are asked to sign up online at www.ccli.org. For more information contact the Pastoral Care office at Mercy Hospital, 319-339-3556 or the course instructors, Gary and Geralyn Ward, 319-360-4964. Sessions are sponsored by Mercy Hospital and the Couple to Couple League.
M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing):
This program of spiritual enrichment is designed to help women have a greater awareness of their inner sacred self and teach them new ways to inspire and affirm each other. Renee J. Crock has led several MOMS groups in her parish and she has completed training with Sr. Paula Hagen (MOMS co-creator) at St. Paul's Monastery in St. Paul, MN. We welcome her as a regional coordinator. If you have MOMS groups in your parish please let her know how she might resource you. If you would like more information about MOMS or would like to start this program, please contact Renee at rjayck@iowatelecom.net or 563-886-1249.
A website that would be a good link on your parish web site or parish bulletin for those who are divorced is www.nacsdc.org. Many times our divorced parish memnbers feel abandoned by the Church. This is one way to connect them to resources on line that are from a Catholic organization, Catholic Divorce Ministry (CDM).
CDM's Leadership Conference has several training sessions on October 4-6 in Fort Worth with an international conference that follows on October 5-6. This would be an excellent opportunity for a team or individual to be trained to lead support groups or plan for parish activities designed for all who are divorced. Please see page one of the four-page conference information. To view the full information and to register go to the above website.
Chancery Address: 780 West Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa 52804-1901
Phone: 563-324-1911 Email: communication@davenportdiocese.org
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