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TWO BY TWO NEWSLETTER October 2017
From the Office of Marriage & Family
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Short Video Series Defending Marriage
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In July and August, the Marriage is Unique for a Reason blog ran a series of short videos about various aspects of the implications of marriage redefinition. For example, why is marriage redefinition NOT like interracial marriage? Be sure to check them out if you don't have a good answer to that question!
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Try a Five-Point Tune-Up For Your Marriage
from ForYourMarriage.org
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At the end of each summer, my husband and I receive a letter that urges us to have our heating system checked before the Fall. It’s usually slipped through the mail slot on an oppressive August day, when more warmth is the last thing I’m thinking about it. But I realize the wisdom of preventive maintenance now, before a breakdown occurs.
Marriages, too, benefit from preventive maintenance. Do you need to discuss a stressful issue before it erupts? Are you looking for an activity or two to rejuvenate your marriage? The end of summer is a good time to plan for marriage maintenance, before the busyness of Fall kicks in.
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In November, RAAP will be presenting a webinar entitled "Parents, Kids and Pornography: The Attack on a Generation."
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Effects of Family Structure
on Children's Health
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According to
Marripedia, children raised in intact families tend to be healthier, have better access to health care and exhibit less emotional and behavioral difficulties as compared to children raised in non-intact families.
However, the percent of married-parent families has significantly declined over the past 50 years, while the proportion of divorced, cohabiting and single-parent families has risen. This
research summary offers evidence as to why promoting marriage is essential to ensure the physical and mental well-being of our nation’s youth.
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How to be a
Great Dad -
12 Awesome Tips
I’m often asked about raising six kids, and being productive and achieving goals and changing habits in the midst of raising so many kids. But here’s the thing: I do all the other stuff, the productivity stuff, because of my kids.
They, and my wife, are my reason for being.
It is my lifelong goal to be the best dad possible, and while there are many ways I can still improve, I think I’m a pretty great dad already, when I sit back and think about it. I know there are some readers who are just starting out in their careers as dads, and this post is for you.
How can you be a great dad? As always, my list of tips:
(Reported at Abstinence Clearinghouse)
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Parenting the
Internet Generation
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Respectful Resolve:
12 Points for Parents to Consider
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Are you ever upset about what your children are exposed to in their public school? Do you have a desire to correct the wrongdoings?
Fighting for justice can be hard in a world that constantly condemns others for being “judgmental” or “too strict.”
More often than ever, schoolchildren are being exposed to pornographic and sexually violent images in the name of “sex education.”
Lori Porter, Director of Parents’ Rights in Education, has compiled 12 bullet points on how to create change in a respectful way.
Her mission is to protect and advocate for parents’ rights to guide the education of their children.
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40 Days for Life Campaign through Nov 4
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40 Days for Life begins on Wednesday, September 27th through November 4th. Please consider joining the peaceful prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood in St Cloud from 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday.
Ending Rally is Saturday November 4 - from 10 am to noon on the sidewalk n front of Planned Parenthood, East St. Germain
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Thursday, October 26
7 PM St. Assumption Parish in Eden Valley. This special Mass is for couples experiencing infertility, as well as those who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage, abortion, SIDS, illness or accident. Part of this event consists of a candle-lighting ceremony remembering those who have died.
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October is
Respect Life Month
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This year's theme is "Be Not Afraid." As part of the materials available are the six new brochures listed below.
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All Natural!
Good for the Body, Great for the Soul!
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Learn about the benefits of NFP as you plan your family in harmony with nature and God’s plan for love. NFP is effective, wholesome, and healthy!
A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offed in:
- Little Falls: Tuesday, October 3 & November 7 at 7:30 PM
- Long Prairie: Monday, October 23 & November 27 at 7:00 PM
- Rice: Monday, October 2 & November 6 at 6:30 PM
- St. Cloud: Thursday, October 26 & November 30 at 6:30 PM
- St. Michael: Monday, October 9 & November 13 at 6:00 PM
- Wadena: Friday, October 27 & November 24 at 5:30 PM
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October 21, 2017
10 Am to Noon
Pastoral Center
St Cloud
Anthony G. Jay, Ph.D. will present,
The Science of Artificial Estrogen: How It Is Making You Fat, Sick, and Infertile, October 21, 2017, 10am -12pm
This presentation
will be a part of our NFP Teacher Update at the Pastoral Center in Saint Cloud. There is no cost, a free-will offering is suggested. Anthony is a biochemist and President of The International Medical Research Collaborative. He is CEO of AJ Consulting Company and author of the book, “Estrogeneration: How Estrogenics Are Making You Fat, Sick, and Infertile.”
No fee, but please R.S.V.P. your attendance below.
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Why do NFP couples have
such low divorce rates?
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The low divorce rate among couples practicing NFP reflects a combination of factors.
First, couples with strong relationships may be more likely than other couples to choose to practice NFP. After all, NFP depends on some of the same virtues as marriage itself: commitment, communication, consideration, and self-control. Couples who reject NFP as “too much trouble” or “too restrictive” all too often turn out to be the same couples who ultimately find the demands of marriage itself to be too much to handle.
Second, NFP helps strengthen marital relationships. On the most basic level, since the spouses are not constantly sexually available to the other, it keeps them from taking the other for granted. Often women rightly complain that the use of contraception has lowered their sense of worth. (From Chastity Project)
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Why Instant Gratification Never Gratifies
from Chastity Project
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Recently, I saw a preview at a movie theater, which shocked me. The preview was for the new ABC show, “Rising Star.” Interspersed with images of families and crowds of people together, various celebrities flashed across the screen, saying this message: “Instant Gratification: It’s what you want. And now, it’s what you’re going to get.” My jaw dropped as these words reached my ears.
That’s blunt. Is it a good thing to instantly satisfy our desires? And is this what we really want?
Well, when famous singers are telling people that “you want” instant gratification, our culture will move towards that goal. “Instant” products—from Netflix to TV dinners to quickly advancing technology—flood store ads, commercials, and homes. And while I have to confess that “instant view” movies are really convenient, the continual focus on instant gratification is not always that great.
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October 3 - Healing Hearts of Suicide Survivors
When a loved one has died by suicide, a group to work through the complex emotions with support and hope of other survivors who will walk alongside "through" the grief. For more information contact Roxann at (320) 248-1563
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October 6-8 - Beginning Experience
A Catholic based weekend program for adults grieving the loss of a relationship due to separation, death or divorce. For more information, call (888) 565-0178 or
click here
to visit their website.
October 22-25 - The Gift that is our Family
The parish cluster of Holy Spirit, St Anthony and St. John Cantius is holding their parish mission from October 22-25 focusing on marriage and the family. Nationally known speakers, Dr. Ray Guarendi, Kari and Steve Colella, as well as on our local expert on Theology of the Boby, Nic Davidson, will be presenting. Childcare, food and prayer will round out the line up. See
flyer for more details. All are welcome.
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Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Worldwide Marriage Encounter For more information, call Alan & Missy Block at 888-455-3496 or visit their web-site:
http://www.wwme.org
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