Marriage and Family Life Initiative introduced in diocese
On April 2, 2009, the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of San Angelo recommended, and Bishop MIchael D. Pfeifer adopted, a document prepared by the 2011 Committee called “Family Life and Marriage: The Priority for Ministry.” The document and its adoption establishes the main priority for ministry in the diocese as we approach our 50th anniversary.
The bishop also asked the presbyteral council to begin implementation of this ministry, therefore the council passed a motion recommending and funding the Office of Family Life And Marriage in the diocese. The bishop has also asked that priests continue the discussion and implementation of the ministry as presented in a recent convocation.
Deserving of much appreciation and gratitude are members of the 2011 Committee who have worked during the past three years on the topic of priorities in ministry as well as the hosts and facilitators of the focus groups for their generous assistance in listening to our families throughout the diocese. You have shared with us matters of concern and suggestions for ministry which will provide guidance for the diocese and parishes in Family Life and Marriage programs for a long time.
May God pour out his blessings upon all who participated in this work and may God grant guidance and grace to his ministry in our diocese.
What follows in the next three pages are highlights, summaries and strategies discussed by the committee concerning the Family Life and Marriage initiative in the diocese.
-- Monsignor Larry Droll
Vicar General
Diocese of San Angelo
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Recommended by the Presbyteral Council and adopted by Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Bishop of San Angelo, on April 2, 2009
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Family life and marriage. The primary place where the Catholic faith is put into practice. Or should be.
Family life and marriage is where our Catholic parishes encounter our people. Therefore, the Diocese of San Angelo and its parishes are committed to support and encourage the practice of the faith among families.
Background
Pope Benedict XVI, during his visit to the United States in April 2008, told the United States bishops in Washington: “A matter of deep concern to us all is the state of the family within society … devote to it personal interest, care, time, personnel and resources.”
Hearing the pope’s urgent appeal, the Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo, Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, called for family life and marriage to become the priority for ministry, as the diocese celebrates its 50th anniversary in October 2011.
Bishop Pfeifer asked the 2011 Committee to help shape this priority. As a result, the committee turned to eight focus groups of families around the diocese for their input. We wanted to 1) see the situation; 2) compare it to the call of the gospel and church teaching, and, 3) suggest actions for ministry to those in family life and marriage.
Summary of the Eight Focus Groups
Question 1: What concerns do you have about families in our parish faith community?
Financial Concerns
-- Families are concerned about the economic situation and employment. There is also a concern about young people graduating high school/college, and the lack of job opportunities.
Church/Parish Activity Concerns
-- General concern for faith formation in our lives in the parish
-- Lack of belonging/participation/ ownership
-- Lack of parish life, vibrant faithful community
-- The voice of the community not being heard
Social/Cultural Concerns
-- Multi-cultural concern
-- Lack of involvement in education system
-- Drugs and outside negative influences (materialism, media, etc.)
-- Non awareness of resources available to assist families.
Marriage/Marriage Preparation Concerns
-- Lack of understanding of Church teaching on marriage
-- Cohabitation, Marriage outside the Church
-- Divorce, Annulment, Re-marriage
Parenting Concerns
-- Lack of parenting skills, children not being parented
-- Changing reality in family
-- Increase of grandparents raising children
-- Teenage pregnancy
-- Sexuality – premarital sex and other sexual behaviors
General Family Concerns
-- Broad spectrum of family life—communication
-- Assisting families significant life changing experiences/events
-- Lack of deepening one’s faith life
-- Self-esteem
-- Acknowledge various types of families
-- Lack of hospitality to single parents and divorced parents
Technology Concerns
-- Better understanding to embrace the positive of technology
Question 2: What does Christ call us to be as family through Scripture and the Church?
Scripture Passage
-- Wedding Feast at Cana shows Jesus’ care for marriage
-- Concern: Jesus lost and found in the Temple; life at home afterwards
-- Faithfulness: Story of Ruth and Naomi
-- Love of spouse: Ephesians 5.23-33
Forgiveness
-- Our God is a God of mercy. We too are called to forgive
Discipleship
-- We are invited to live the Gospel through justice, service, outreach
-- Involvement in the Sacramental Life of the Church
-- Joseph and Mary as role models
-- Involvement of families in religious education programs
Relationship
-- Our relationship with God is expressed in our relationship with others: family, spouse, children, relatives, others
--Offer a call to service as families
Community
-- The community is an extension of our family.
-- We need to reach out to others in compassion, concern, service
-- We participate as families in Mass
Faith Life
-- Catholics should marry “in the Church”
-- We should follow the commandments: Honor your father and mother; Do not commit adultery
-- Be a holy family following the model of the Holy Family
-- Our daily lives need to be a reflection of our faith, our relationship with God through love, respect, faithfulness, commitment & prayer.
Sacramental Life
-- Sacramental aspects of family life (reconciliation, Holy Eucharist)
-- Beauty of Baptism and First Communion ceremonies
-- Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage
Question 3: What are the ways we Catholics can enhance family life in the Parish? What can our Parish and Diocese offer?
Liturgy/Sacrament
-- Homilies attentive to concerns of families
-- Marriage instruction at various times of formation (high school, before marriage, after marriage)
Catechesis/Formation/Education
-- Substantial, intentional catechesis at all levels; formation is needed for all catechists
-- Use of radio, TV, and other technologies
Retreats
-- Encourage participation, emphasis on retreats such as ACTS, Cursillo, SEARCH, Beginnings Experience, Christ Renews His Parish, family retreats, family activities, youth retreats, parish missions
-- Engaged Encounter, Marriage Encounter, couples retreats
-- Parish family activities, including fun events
Clergy
-- Promote vocations of marriage, priesthood, consecrated life
-- Greater clergy presence, visit families
Prayer
-- Opportunities for a variety of prayer experience at the parish level
-- Family prayer
Social Services
-- Resources for families in need
-- Tap into the resources/gifts of parish community
-- Opportunities for people to gather for support
-- Parent and mentoring programs
-- Collaboration regarding needs of the community
Church/Parish
-- Direct community to specific organizations to address needs;
Family, parents, marriage, etc
-- Substantial, intentional faith formation in parish
-- Affirm gifts of people
-- Address needs of all age groups in parish, including elderly.
-- Community building in the parish inclusive of all groups
-- Internal focus on family life
Communication
-- Positive use of technology that will stimulate positive growth
-- Need for communication between community/parish/diocese
Definition of “Family”
As the Focus Groups pointed out, it is vital to be inclusive of all types of families when we discuss family life and plan activities for the parishioners.
We have many “traditional families,” consisting of husband, wife and children. We also have single-parent families, the divorced, the widowed, blended families, adopting parents and inter-generational families. Even unmarried “singles” belong to families.
How can the Parish serve Family Life and Marriage?
In a workshop presented to priests of the diocese in March 2009, John Roberto proposed that the first strategy necessary is for each parish to “make family faith formation a goal of congregational life and ministry.” This requires a decision by parish leaders, in consultation with the parish pastoral council.
The “content” of family faith formation does not have to be new programs, but rather finding ways to encourage family faith practices within existing programs, liturgies, and service opportunities. This actually has been encouraged by many church documents over the years; it is important to be “intentional” about including the family focus in the various activities. Of course, some new programs might follow.
In conjunction with this decision, a team of a few interested, skilled and creative parishioners needs to be drafted to offer this ministry on behalf of the parish. We are always encouraged to invite the laity into roles of ministry on behalf of the church.
After this first strategy of deciding to make family faith formation a goal, Roberto goes on to list the following:
Strategy 2. Utilize church ministries and programming to teach, model, and demonstrate family faith practices and then provide the resources for families to live the practice at home.
Strategy 3. Build on practices families are already engaged in.
Strategy 4. Involve the whole family in congregational life, programs, and leadership roles.
Strategy 5. Offer family intergenerational learning programs.
Strategy 6. Develop family faith formation around life-cycle milestones.
Strategy 7. Offer a variety of developmentally-appropriate family service projects.
Strategy 8. Provide at-home resources for the core family practices.
Strategy 9. Use the Internet to resource and connect families.
How can parishes serve Marriage?
Biblical and church teaching and laws on Marriage should be a topic in sermons, bulletins and religious education programs. Marriage should be treated especially with high school youth.
Most parishes have some form of marriage preparation in place for couples approaching the sacrament of marriage. The Diocese of San Angelo approves the Engaged Encounter and the Sponsor Couple Program of Fr. Robert Ruhnke, For Better and Forever.
Weddings will be celebrated prayerfully and joyfully. Some form of following up with newly weds is encouraged.
Parishes would do well to call parishioners’ attention to existing retreats and professional counseling services for marriage enrichment or to deal with marriage problems. They might develop opportunities for parish level retreats or times of reflection for couples.
Parishes will offer assistance to parishioners who may need certain canonical procedures to be addressed before couples can celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage.
How can the Diocese of San Angelo support the parishes in this work?
The Diocese of San Angelo will develop an Office of Family Life and Marriage, with a person(s) professionally trained in this area. This office should be on an equal level with the Office of Education and Formation or the Vocation Office.
The first duty of this office should be to train those in parishes involved in Family Life and Marriage ministries.
The second duty of the diocesan office is to offer programs at the retreat center or in parishes.
Each diocesan department can intensify its focus on family life and marriage, too. For example, the Office of Education and Formation, pro-life, rural life, criminal justice ministry and others can keep the family focus in mind and make this an intentional part of their ministry and programming.
Conclusion
Family Life and Marriage is to be the prime priority for ministry in the Diocese of San Angelo, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2011. If this priority is to take hold, it must be given time and resources to grow.
We dedicate ourselves to fulfilling Moses’ command to the People of God: “Take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” -- Deuteronomy 4.9
