Marriage Ministry

Marriage is meant to be an ongoing encounter with God, as a couple lives the sacrament that they entered into on their wedding day. It’s also meant to be a visible expression of God’s love, as that love is manifested each day between the spouses and also toward children and the larger world. And so marriage is a living sacrament, one that we grow in each day and each year of our marriage! We hope that you find here a supportive community where you can grow together as a couple – in your faith, in your understanding of marriage, and in your living of this very special sacrament!

MARRIED COUPLES’ DINNER
Saturday, Feb. 9th, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Marian Hall, $30/couple
“A Marriage That Makes God Smile”

►Register for the 2019 Married Couples' Dinner

This event has become a tradition here at St. Joe’s, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to gather with other married couples and to reflect on what it means to live our marriage rooted in Christ. This year, our date is Saturday, February 9th at 6:00 p.m. in Marian Hall. Our theme is “A Marriage That Makes God Smile” – now there’s a thought…!! It’s good for us to think sometimes about how God feels about our marriage! What is it about our marriage that makes God smile, that delights God’s heart and makes God proud of us? For each couple, that might be a little different, and it has to do with the way we love each other, the qualities and strengths we live our marriage with, the way we navigate challenges on our particular marital journey, and the ways we try to stay connected to God and each other. We’ll explore some of these things, through reflections offered by two married couples, and then through some questions for each couple to ponder together. It will be an enjoyable, upbeat evening as we reflect on our sacrament together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together!

The cost is $30/couple, and tickets must be purchased in advance before Feb. 4th, either through the Parish Office or online. Seating is limited, so get your tickets early! Questions? Call Kathy Hasty at 248.693.0440 ext. 211 or contact her via our staff page.

New to NFP?
Natural Family Planning involves no drugs or devices, there are zero health worries and it is immediately reversible when you want to try to conceive a baby. No doctor visits needed, no prescriptions to fill, no unwanted side effects. Join facilitators Kelly and Ron Brock to learn how NFP works and to learn the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of Natural Family Planning.

Interested in learning how to do NFP?
Find a class near you.

NFP RESOURCES
What is NFP all about?
What the Church teaches about contraception.
Why is NFP different than contraception?

Every married couple experiences difficulties in marriage at some time or another. Significant challenges, difficult circumstances, or life transitions can stress marriages significantly, sometimes almost to the breaking point. It’s important to pray your way through these times and to get the help you need as a couple.

Counseling can be very helpful to couples experiencing significant stress and difficulty in their marriage. It can be a great source of light and grace for a struggling couple. Catholic Social Services of Oakland County has an office here on our parish grounds and offers professional counseling services with skilled therapists. You can reach Catholic Social Services at 248.666.8870 to find about more about their counseling services. If you have other questions about sources of help for married couples, call Fr. Mike or Kathy Hasty at the Parish Office at 248.693.0440.

For couples who are severely troubled and/or contemplating separation or divorce, the Retrouvaille ministry can help. Retrouvaille is a program that helps couples “put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships.” It involves a weekend program and some follow-up sessions, and it is highly effective with troubled marriages. In the words of one participant, “Our weekend was a miracle. We got our marriage back on track by using our new tools.” For information about Retrouvaille, call 1.800.470.2230 or visit www.retrouvaille.info.

The Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) weekend is a positive and personal experience offering married couples an opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication they can use for the rest of their lives. It's a chance to look deeply into their marital relationship and their relationship with God. It's a time to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other.

The emphasis of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend is on communication between husband and wife. The weekend provides a conducive environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their marital relationship.

It's not a retreat, a marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing marriage.

It's a time for you and your spouse to be alone together, to rediscover each other, and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention! For more information or to find a Marriage Encounter weekend near you, visit www.wwme-detroit.org.

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FOR YOUR MARRIAGE
Another great online resource for married couples is "foryourmarriage.org." Sponsored by the U.S. Bishops, the site is filled with teachings, inspirational stories, reflections, tips, and resources on marriage.

For those needing help with seeking an annulment of a previous marriage, please contact Fr. Mike Verschaeve, Fr. John Maksym or Kathy Hasty via the form on our staff page or by phone at 248.693.0440.