Greetings!
We made it to April! Even though we will not be able to attend Holy Week liturgies at our parishes, there is still plenty we can do at home with family to keep these days holy.
Easter is a perfect time to put our real fears and troubles in perspective. God works all things for our good! Jesus' Resurrection hasn't done away with all suffering, but it's given us a purpose - and a reason to hope. Because of His sacrificial love, because He has conquered death, we have cause to rejoice no matter what our circumstances are.
As we enter into these special days of prayer, let us remember that Christ's complete gift of self on the cross is both the model and source of the sacrament of marriage. Let the love of God encourage you as you continue to navigate all the storms and the sunshine that life brings.
Blessings,
The Marriage & Family Ministry Staff
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How to make the most of Holy Week at home
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Nothing can ever replace the solemnity and beauty of Holy Week in our churches, and so the absence of public worship during these holiest days of the year presents a moment of pause and pain. The void created in our spiritual lives by our lack of access to the sacraments can be seen to draw us closer to Christ’s own solitude in his final agony and suffering. And yet, we cannot remain there.
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Family life in a pandemic
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Like many, the Noem family is navigating uncharted waters: e-learning and working remotely from home; social distancing taking away everything from in-person Eucharistic worship to gym memberships; daily news ramping up fear and uncertainty.
How are we supposed to raise a family in all of this?
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Surviving social distancing as a married couple
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The world has been thrust into a season of uncertainty as we deal with the fallout of a global pandemic. Navigating these changes like social distancing measures put in place to help slow the spread of the disease isn’t easy. Here are
some pieces from the Spoken Bride archives
that we hope will help and encourage you and your spouse during this challenging time.
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Podcast: Made for Love: The Family Table
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Eating dinner together as a family used to be common and expected. The table is the place where members of the family can talk things out and hear about each other’s lives.
This episode
features Bishop Caggiano, Brendan Glasgow, Christina Strafaci, Craig and Stephanie Rapp, Tim and Lisa Roder, and Mary Beth Bonacci.
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What to do with your COVID-19 fear and anxiety
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In a lot of ways, I’ve been living as if a pandemic were about to hit for most of my life. While this time can be particularly difficult and triggering for someone whose health concerns are always a little heightened, that experience has also given me an understanding of the best ways to cope when health fear hits. The lessons I’ve learned to cope with fear over everyday health-related scenarios are what are getting me through these days.
Maybe they can do the same for you.
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Marriage Tip of the Month
Set aside some time this month to share with each other something good that God drew out of a suffering that you experienced in your life, whether recently or long ago.
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Upcoming Events & Things to Do
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Stations of the Cross with Bishop Rhoades
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades has announced that on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend will livestream the Stations of the Cross from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop has expressed hope that as many Catholics as possible will join in meditating on the Stations of the Cross together, as a diocese, on the threshold of Holy Week. In this way, and together with all the priests and religious of the diocese, this great prayer will be offered for all those suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please join us by searching @dioceseFWSB
on YouTube
or watch on
the diocesan Facebook page
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Holy Week Liturgies
- April 5, Palm Sunday through April 12, Easter Sunday - will be livestreamed with Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades on the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Facebook
and YouTube pages.
Redeemer Radio
will also be live broadcasting! More information is available at
www.diocesefwsb.org/holyweek
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Learn Natural Family Planning online!
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for scientifically based, morally acceptable methods of regulating conception based on daily observation and interpretation of the natural signs of fertility and infertility which occur in a woman’s body. Using this knowledge, a couple can identify the days on which conception is possible should they desire to either achieve or to avoid a pregnancy. International studies confirm that, when used to avoid pregnancy, NFP has an effectiveness rate of 98-99% for a couple who has been properly instructed and who follows the method carefully.
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Free plays from London!
The National Theatre in London will be releasing one free, family-friendly play per week on its YouTube channel!
From April 2,
under the banner of National Theatre at Home, every Thursday (7pm GMT/2pm EST) will see a new National Theatre play released – free to watch for one week – along with bonus content including cast and creative Q&As and post-stream talks. Tune in for some great shows!
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Hope for the Journey
Spiritual, emotional, and practical support for couples who have experienced or are experiencing infertility or secondary infertility
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Spiritual, emotional and practical support to families suffering miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
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Miriam's Blessing
Comprehensive support to parents who receive a poor prenatal diagnosis, provided through three distinct phases: the pregnancy, the birth, and postpartum.
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Project Rachel
Post-abortion reconciliation program offering hope and healing through God who is love and mercy.
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NFP: Local Resources
Diocesan approved classes and resources for Natural Family Planning
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