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REAL LIFE
A Newsletter from the Office of Marriage & Family
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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is featuring the following this month:
- St. Joseph Adoption Novena: March 10-18, 2025
USCCB PARISH RESOURCES
Word of Life: March 2025
Word of Life is a monthly resource in English and Spanish for dioceses and parishes containing:
- Special Features
- Intercessions for Life
- Bulletin Quotes
- Bulletin Art
https://www.usccb.org/resources/word-life-march-2025
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Strong Catholic Dad exists to help parents lead their families to heaven; dad leads as the head, mom as the heart. Founded by Michael O’Rourke, father of 12 (two in heaven), we equip parents to grow in their own relationship with the Lord, build fulfilling relationships with their kids, and pass on the Catholic Faith to their children. | |
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Natural Family Planning Instruction for
March & April 2025
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A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:
• Alexandria: Mondays, March 17 & April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
• Little Falls: Tuesdays, March 4 & April 1 at 7:30 p.m.
• Long Prairie: Mondays, March 24 & April 28 at 7 p.m.
• Rice: Mondays, March 3 & April 7 at 6:30 p.m.
• Sauk Centre: Thursdays, March 20 & April 17 at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Cloud: Monday, March 17 & Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Michael: Tuesdays, March 4 & April 1 at 6 p.m.
• Wadena: Fridays, March 28 & April 25 at 5:30 p.m.
For more information visit https://stcdio.org/natural-family-planning/ or contact Sheila Reineke at
sheila.reineke@gw.stcdio.org | (320) 258-7609
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CHRIS STEFANICK - REAL LIFE CATHOLIC
From Addiction to Redemption: Sister Miriam’s Radical Journey to Healing
What if your biggest struggles—your addictions, your need for control, even your mindless Instagram scrolling—aren’t just bad habits, but actually trauma responses to your own sorrowful mysteries? And what if God isn’t just asking you to push through, but actually wants to heal you?
In this episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Sister Miriam James Heidland, a former Division I athlete who battled addiction and deep wounds before one encounter with a Catholic priest completely changed her life. Now, as a leader with the John Paul II Healing Center, she helps people step into the deep healing and transformation that God desires for all of us.
Watch the YouTube video here:
https://youtu.be/TlVOwjpmAvs
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It’s normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion. It can form a hole in one’s heart, a hole so deep that sometimes it seems nothing can fill the emptiness.
Resources can be found here: https://hopeafterabortion.com/
St. Cloud Diocesan Help Line is open
320-529-4616
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Learn more about Walking with Moms in Need with these video resources. The USCCB's collection of stories, webinars, and special topics videos are great for personal use or can be used in group settings to introduce this exciting initiative to your parish, ministry, or core team.
https://www.walkingwithmoms.com/videos#special-topics
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Brainerd, MN
1st Annual Men's Conference
~All are Welcome~
Register Now!
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40 Days for Life Spring Campaign, March 5-April 13, 2025
Opening Rally, Saturday, March 8, 2025. Find details HERE
2nd Marriage Course (remarriage) Saturday, March 22, 2025
Held at the Pastoral Center, St. Cloud, MN from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. See our website for more details or call the office with questions, 320-252-4721. https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/
Virtual Mentor Couple Training in Spanish, April 5, 2025
For more information and to register, go to https://getfullyengaged.com/training-webinar-opportunities-2/
In-person Sponsor Couple Training, Saturday, April 12, 2025
Register couples at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SponsorCouple or contact Jan Zylla at jan.zylla@gw.stcdio.org or call (320) 258-7615 with names, address, phone numbers and emails of the couple attending at least two weeks before the scheduled sponsor couple training session.
Honoring Marriage Day, Saturday, May 3, 2025
Held at St. Francis Xavier, Sartell at 1:00 p.m. for all married couples. Special recognition will go to those celebrating 5, 10, 25, 40, 50, 60 or 60 plus years of marriage in 2025. RSVP to Jan at jan.zylla@gw.stcdio.org.
*NEW ADDITION* Engaged Couples Retreat, Saturday, June 7, 2025
Held at the Pastoral Center, St. Cloud, MN from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. The retreat will conclude with 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. See our website for more details or call the office with questions, 320-252-4721. https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/
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Worldwide Marriage Encounter
For more than 50 years, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has helped over 3.5 million couples in almost 100 countries unlock the power of their relationships with new ways to do the “I do.”
The Marriage Encounter experience helps you listen, share, and connect more deeply.
There’s no group discussion. It’s just about the two of you learning to be the best, most loving and thriving couple you can be.
Nine in ten couples who attend a Marriage Encounter recognize a long-lasting positive effect on their lives.
When: April 5-6, 2025
Where: Shalom Hill Farms, Windom, MN
Contact: Miki Schultz, 507-227-8229
When: May 16-18, 2025
Where: Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo, MN
Contact: Brent & Tracy Chessen, 612-234-7440
When: November 22-23, 2025
Where: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Alexandria, MN
Contact: Miki Schultz, 507-227-8229
Or...Register here: https://wwme.org/
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Beginning Experience - Central MN
Are you: Widowed, Divorced, Separated
Beginning Experience International Ministry programs and peer ministers serve those grieving the loss of a spousal relationship so they can move forward in life loving God, themselves, and others.
Central MN details
Website: https://beginningexperiencemn.com
Phone: 320-319-8863
When: April 5-6, 2025
Where: Luther Crest, Alexandria, MN
When: October 10-12, 2025
Where: Luther Crest, Alexandria, MN
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Do you want flyers and bulletin announcements for your parish?
Call the Office of Marriage & Family at 320-258-7616
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