Read Time: 4 minutes
My Son’s First Reconciliation Journey What does indescribable joy feel like? Well, this is something that I experienced when my son celebrated his First Reconciliation a few weeks ago. It was a Saturday before his First Communion, and he had a First Reconciliation service. For a couple of hours, there […]
Read Time: 4 minutes
The rite of Holy Matrimony is beautiful. Not only for the day of the wedding, but it bears fruit for years to come. One of the sections I have constantly reflected on during my marriage is the pledge to be faithful in all circumstances. Here’s an excerpt of that portion […]
Read Time: 4 minutes
At the start of my marriage… One of the things I remembered talking about in marriage prep was the importance of making time for your spouse. To carve out certain times of the day or week for quality time — putting the kids to bed early or having a babysitter […]
Read Time: 5 minutes
Integrating Faith into Family Planning NFP. These three letters, standing for Natural Family Planning, represent the Catholic Church’s teaching on achieving or postponing pregnancy. Sometimes, NFP can sound like a burden rather than a blessing. It is true that using NFP is not all sunshine and roses, and it does […]
Read Time: 4 minutes
Children are a gift from the Lord. – Psalm 127:3 This reminder from Scripture is often underrated and forgotten, and conversations about planning your family in discernment with God need to have this understanding in mind. Considering children can come up long before marriage prep even enters the picture. “What […]
Read Time: 5 minutes
3 Lessons I’ve Learned “I just want something good to happen in my life.” I distinctly recall saying this to my wife on a midsummer evening in early 2015. We were still reeling from a tragic year. New city. New jobs. Lots of change. That’s stressful by itself, but God […]
Read Time: 4 minutes
The more you do something, the better you get at it, but there is also a danger of taking it for granted. Marriage is like a tree. It takes time to grow and flower. It also needs to be planted in the best “soil” and nourished frequently. Let’s examine a […]
Read Time: 4 minutes
Why are you so serious? Surely, you must be kidding. This is something I would tell my younger self at the beginning stage of my marriage. Life is short (unless you’re Methuselah or Yoda) and it goes by way too quickly to get hung up on frivolous things. My wife […]
Read Time: 3 minutes
In the sacred journey of marriage preparation within the Catholic Church, one of the pivotal discussions revolves around family planning. As clergy, deacons, and dedicated individuals guiding engaged couples, it’s crucial to facilitate a thoughtful and thorough exploration of Natural Family Planning. While some couples approach family planning as a […]
Read Time: 4 minutes
“Why are you making me learn NFP?” It’s a question I get a lot in my capacity as the Director of Fertility and Life Ministries for the Diocese of Lansing. Often this question comes from engaged couples going through Marriage Prep, but I also get it from couples referred to […]