Bridges take time to build…lots of time. It also takes time to build your marriage. Along with time it requires effort and the right tools. Here's how you can apply some bridge-building to your relationship: Solid Foundation:…

Discernment is More Than “Deciding” Discernment is more than just deciding what to do. God has a plan for your life, but it’s up to you to figure out what that plan is. God calls some people to lead his Church through the vocation of…

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…

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…

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…

"Well…I suppose we could put you on the pill for that.” This was a phrase I heard all too often during my adolescence. When I sought help for longer than normal periods, the sharp pain in my abdomen, or troublesome acne, the answer always…

As we near the middle of the Lenten season, couples may find themselves in a variety of positions. Some have experienced greater connection as they practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting together, some may be experiencing conflict…

Finding a partner to share the rest of your life with is a blessing. If you’ve recently been engaged and are planning to be married in the Catholic Church, there are a few steps you'll need to take. In the Catholic Church, marriage is a Sacrament, and taking these important steps will prepare you for a lifetime of love and commitment to each other and God.

Having friendships with individuals and other couples is healthy for married couples. We should all have a variety of people to engage with socially and consult for advice. Your best friend doesn’t have to be your partner's best friend, but…

Moving in together is a big step in any relationship. You’ve just been married, and now you’re ready to take on your world together in a new home. However, one of the biggest reasons couples fight at this stage, or any stage, is financial…

When looking for advice on handling marital conflict, sometimes the answer is in the simplest place. It may be a single line of scripture, [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.…

As we look around us, we see signs of new life everywhere. Spring is that time of the year when we see growth and flourishing in nature as the cycle of life continues to develop. In the same way, God invites us to experience this same growth…

When I was a young mom, I had several mentors in my life that were around 15 years or more older than me and in the later stages of parenting. To me, they radiated spirituality after years of practicing their faith, and they seemed so composed…

Would the real Saint Valentine please stand up? Yes, it may seem funny, but if we look at the history of the Catholic Church, and what the martyrology (a catalog of Roman Catholic martyrs and saints) says, we will find that there are three…

Your marriage and traditions are about to get a lot better! Your love will enhance the traditions you already have, and make new ones!

Whether you just started your adventure together, or you are seasoned veterans when it comes to marriage, we all know how important it is to maintain consistent and intentional date nights. It may actually be more important once you start having…

When we ask couples who are preparing for marriage, “Why do you want to get married in the Catholic Church?” sometimes the answers include…. “It is a family tradition”, or … “it is the right thing to do”, or “our family expects…

Every year from February 7th to the 14th we celebrate “National Marriage Week.” What is National Marriage Week? It is a week dedicated to celebrate and support marriages in the United States and also in other countries around the world. “National…

If you’re wondering if you can get married by a priest outside a Catholic church, it’s important to know the Church’s position on the celebration of weddings at places other than a Catholic church.

When it comes to any date, it’s pretty safe to say that we all like to be impressed by the other, and we like to be impressive as well. Truthfully though, don’t most of us simply appreciate a romantic effort most times, leaving the pricey…

Money is one of the most common causes of friction during the first year of marriage. When you first enter into a union it is important to discuss money matters, but you might be wondering: what kind of personal finances should I bring up? Your…

'For richer, for poorer'.... it's right there in the traditional marriage vows, but how many of us consider the consequences of actually living it out in the real world? The sad statistic is that up to 50% of marriages end in divorce, with finances…