Photos used under Creative Commons from, jasonmurphyphotography
Resources
Welcome Day
Host a Welcome Day at your parish on or near Pope Francis' visit to the United States. Welcome Day resources include live streaming of the welcome message of Pope Francis as well as everything you need to host the event. For downloadable resources go to www.myUSCCB.org, or contact Sal Della Bella at [email protected]
Host a Welcome Day at your parish on or near Pope Francis' visit to the United States. Welcome Day resources include live streaming of the welcome message of Pope Francis as well as everything you need to host the event. For downloadable resources go to www.myUSCCB.org, or contact Sal Della Bella at [email protected]
Bulletin blurbs from the 10 themes of Love is our Mission
Blurbs | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Ideas for Parishes
Ideas | |
File Size: | 386 kb |
File Type: |
Study Guide for Adults
Study Guide | |
File Size: | 1325 kb |
File Type: |
Family Enrichment Links
The "For Your Marriage" website offers practical help and advice whether you're seriously dating, engaged, or at any stage of married life. If you're planning a Catholic wedding, you'll find information on everything from choosing the music and readings to marrying someone who is not Catholic. On the homepage check out the Daily Marriage Tips, book reviews, and blogs by engaged and married couples.
The "Marriage: Unique for a Reason" website is part of the Bishops' ongoing efforts to promote and defend marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It offers many educational resources for Catholics and others who want to better understand and articulate the Church's teaching on marriage. The website currently features three DVD resources, "Made for Each Other," "Made for Life,"and "El Matrimonio: Hecho para el amor y vida" (in Spanish with English subtitles), as well as FAQs about marriage, a library of Church teaching, and a regularly updated blog.
The Por tu Matrimonio Web site is a space to inspire, assist and encourage Spanish-speaking couples to live their marriage more fully. Por Tu Matrimonio es un espacio para inspirar, ayudar y exhortar a las parejas de habla hispana a vivir más plenamente su relación de pareja.
Church Documents
In November 2009 the U.S. Catholic Bishops approved a pastoral letter called “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” The letter presents the essential points of Catholic teaching on marriage as a natural gift, as a sacrament, and as a public commitment between a man and a woman. It also discusses several contemporary challenges to marriage and how the Church addresses those challenges.
Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. . . (Nov. 24, 2013)
In this Apostolic Exhortation entitled "The Joy of the Gospel," Pope Francis emphasized "the Church's primary mission of evangelization in the modern world." In the second chapter of the document, he recognized that "the family is experiencing a profound cultural crisis, as are all communities and social bonds." The Holy Father then pointed out that "the weakening of these bonds is particularly serious because the family is the fundamental cell of society." See no. 66.
In this Apostolic Exhortation entitled "The Joy of the Gospel," Pope Francis emphasized "the Church's primary mission of evangelization in the modern world." In the second chapter of the document, he recognized that "the family is experiencing a profound cultural crisis, as are all communities and social bonds." The Holy Father then pointed out that "the weakening of these bonds is particularly serious because the family is the fundamental cell of society." See no. 66.
Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis. . . (Feb. 22, 2007)
This document was the first post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI. Entitled "The Sacrament of Charity," it offers a beautiful reflection on the link between the Eucharist and Matrimony. Since it is through the Eucharist that Christ the Bridegroom is able to unite to his Bride, the Church, "a Eucharistic dimension" can be seen in the mutual consent and unity of husband and wife. The Eucharist also expresses the irrevocable nature of God's love for His Church, and in doing so, also implies the indissolubility of Matrimony. See nos. 27-29.
This document was the first post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI. Entitled "The Sacrament of Charity," it offers a beautiful reflection on the link between the Eucharist and Matrimony. Since it is through the Eucharist that Christ the Bridegroom is able to unite to his Bride, the Church, "a Eucharistic dimension" can be seen in the mutual consent and unity of husband and wife. The Eucharist also expresses the irrevocable nature of God's love for His Church, and in doing so, also implies the indissolubility of Matrimony. See nos. 27-29.
Follow the Way of Love: A Pastoral Message of the U.S. Catholic Bishops to Families (1994)
This pastoral message was released on the occasion of the UN International Year of the Family. It addresses families as domestic Churches and includes reflection questions.
This pastoral message was released on the occasion of the UN International Year of the Family. It addresses families as domestic Churches and includes reflection questions.
Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris consortio. . . on the Christian family in the modern world (1981)
Written after the 1980 Synod of Bishops on the topic of the family, John Paul II provides an extended treatment of the role of the Christian family both in the Church and in the modern world. He issues an invitation to every family: "Become what you are!" and a roadmap for living out their vocation as a community of persons. Main sections include an assessment of the family's strengths and needs; the plan of God for marriage and the family; the role of the Christian family in forming a community of persons, serving life, developing society, and sharing in the life and mission of the Church; and pastoral care of the family, especially in key developmental moments and times of difficulty.
Written after the 1980 Synod of Bishops on the topic of the family, John Paul II provides an extended treatment of the role of the Christian family both in the Church and in the modern world. He issues an invitation to every family: "Become what you are!" and a roadmap for living out their vocation as a community of persons. Main sections include an assessment of the family's strengths and needs; the plan of God for marriage and the family; the role of the Christian family in forming a community of persons, serving life, developing society, and sharing in the life and mission of the Church; and pastoral care of the family, especially in key developmental moments and times of difficulty.