Office of Social Concerns & Family Life

Description of Office
The Office of Social Concerns & Family Life assists in the formation and development of area/parish social concerns committees; promotes Catholic social teaching, works of mercy, advocacy and action for justice, and pro-life activity; assists area/parishes in their efforts to strengthen Christian marriage and family life; promotes preparation for marriage, marriage enrichment, and family spirituality; and provides referrals to programs like natural family planning, Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille.

Social Concerns Committee Members:
Jim Hubley, Fr. Brian Mandel, Sandy Schlosser, Sr. Donna Wermus, SSND, Christopher Loetscher,staff.

Common Marriage Preparation Procedure for the Catholic Arch/dioceses in Minnesota

Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program:
The Marriage Preparation Program is a full-day Saturday program conducted with the help of married couples, at the Education Center of St. Aloysius Church in Olivia. It is designed specifically for engaged couples and is an opportunity for them to explore and strengthen their relationship. The program complements preparation efforts at the parish level and addresses key aspects of married life: commitment and sacramental marriage, communication—including intimacy and sexuality issues, conflict—including gender/personality issues and addictions, children—including natural family planning and parenting, career—including financial planning and work/leisure issues, and church—including interchurch, interfaith, and spirituality issues.

2008 Marriage Preparation Program Dates:

February 2

February 23

March 8

April 5

May 3

September 6

For further information contact: Catholic Pastoral Center, Family Life Office, 1400 6th St. N., New Ulm, MN 56073; (507) 359-2966.

Diocesan Remarriage Program:
The Remarriage Preparation Program is designed for couples in these situations:  one or both are divorced and the annulment process has been completed; one or both are widowed or already in a second marriage and desire to have their marriage validated in the Church. In addition to topics covered in the regular marriage preparation program, the remarriage preparation program considers topics such as step-parenting and blending families, relating with a partner's former spouse and in-laws, and grieving issues related to divorce or death of a former spouse. The program is conducted at St. John's Church in Hector.

2008 Remarriage Preparation Program Dates:

March 29

September 27

For further information about the Marriage and Remarriage Preparation Programs, contact: the Catholic Pastoral Center, Family Life Office, 1400 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; (507) 359-2966.

Marriage Encounter

A program for married couples who want to strengthen their marriage. For more information about program dates in Minnesota and the Dakotas, http://www.wwmesection8.org/cgi-bin/wwme-weekends.cgi

visit or call 507-644-3523 for regional opportunities.

Retrouvaille:
A program for couples considering separation or divorce. For a Retrouvaille Program nearest your location, call 1-800-470-2230.


RESOURCES

(documents, information, links for Social Concerns, Catholic Social Teaching, Marriage and the Family)

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Secretariat for Family Laity, Women & Youth:

www.usccb.org/laity/marriage

National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage:

www.usccb.org/laity/marriage/npim/shtml

For Your Marriage: www.foryourmarriage.org

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Dept. of Social Development and World Peace:
www.usccb.org/sdwp

    www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

 
Catholic Relief Services: www.catholicrelief.org

Minnesota Catholic Conference: www.mncc.org

National Catholic Rural Life Conference: www.ncrlc.com