Greetings!
Here we are in May after a seemingly endless March and April. As the flowers continue to bloom, businesses are beginning to open up too. And, pandemic aside, life goes on: babies are born, weddings still happen, milestones are reached. There are still many blessings and beautiful things, however small, in this time.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our mother, is one of the biggest blessings of our faith. May is traditionally the month we honor her.
Pope Francis encouraged
all the faithful to pray the rosary at home daily this month. If you're unsure of how to pray fruitfully with little (or not-so-little) ones,
here are 13 kid- and teen-friendly tips
to help you pray. And the rosary isn't the only way to honor our Lady! Say one of these
three prayers
of hope and protection every day, pray the Regina Caeli at noon,
consecrate your family
to the Blessed Mother, learn to imitate
her virtues
, or build a Mary garden (see below).
Mother's Day may look a little different this year than in years past. Many people are lonelier than ever - reach out to your mother or mother-in-law, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, teachers or professors, any woman who has mothered you in some way, through a phone call or a note. And remember to pray for
those who may be struggling
when Mother's Day comes.
Wishing you a happy spring and good health this month!
Blessings,
The Marriage & Family Ministry Staff
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How to build a Mary Garden
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What better way to celebrate May than with a Mary garden! Having a Mary garden is a very simple way to honor the Blessed Mother. It’s easy to do with children and can enhance our own devotion to Mary as well. It’s not difficult to do and pretty self-explanatory. The most important part of the Mary garden are the flowers. How are flowers themselves symbols for us of her love and her life?
What steps should we take
as we start a Mary garden?
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10 ideas for couples to date-at-home together
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Dating might not strictly qualify as “essential business” during this pandemic, but it is still important to the health of your relationship, even long after you’ve tied the knot. But for many couples, having a date night is the last thing on our weary minds, so
here are some ideas
on how you can intentionally spend some quality time with your S.O. during this strange time without breaking the bank or leaving your home.
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Mother's Day At Home: How to celebrate (or lament) where you are
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Next Sunday is our annual day for honoring mothers. Depending on your past or present, it may be a day full of gratitude and joy - or it may be a difficult reminder of all that you do not have. But one thing is for certain. We all need reasons to celebrate others and care for ourselves. This year, Mother's Day can do both.
Share these ideas
with a friend who inspires you by her mothering - or might need a reminder that she is seen and loved on a difficult day.
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Podcast: Made for Love: Love in the Time of COVID-19
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In this pandemic, it is more important than ever to love one another!
Today's episode
features Amy Stout (and family), Sarah Engel, Fr. Dan Leary of the Archdiocese of Washington, and Jason Kidd. This is also the last episode of Made for Love for now, as host Sara Perla is leaving for another adventure!
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I thought I knew how to apologize well. Isn’t that one of the earliest lessons we learn when we reach school age? However, early in our marriage, I noticed that my apologies (if I apologized at all) often lacked humility.
A genuine apology
and a
swift forgiveness
positively affect the whole dynamic of your relationship with your spouse.
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Marriage Tip of the Month
Do you or your spouse have a particular devotion to Mary? Set aside some time to talk about the Blessed Mother and her role in your lives. If you are just getting to know Mary, consider adding a Marian prayer or spiritual book to your prayer routine.
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Upcoming Events & Things to Do
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Springs of Hope: a virtual retreat for those suffering from infertility
May 8-10, 2020
Springs in the Desert
is offering a virtual retreat for anyone suffering from infertility the weekend of May 8-10. The retreat can be viewed at your leisure, alone or with your spouse. They will offer talks on a range of topics including grieving infertility and caring for ourselves, nurturing the relationship with our spouse, miscarriage and loss, praying and finding God in “the desert,” fostering/adopting, and more! There will also be a chance for you to connect through a Facebook live session.
To sign up, please fill out your information
here
.
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The Theology of the Body Institute is hosting a TOB Virtual Conference May 8-10 which will feature 50+ of the most prominent speakers and artists who will share their "ache" and joy with you — showing how St. John Paul II Theology of the Body applies to everyday life, how it will transform your prayer life, how it can bring healing of the deepest wounds in yourself and with others, and how it will bring your Catholic faith alive in new and brilliant ways.
Register for the Free Virtual Conference
here
!
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Webinar for Engaged Couples
May 22-23, 2020

Session One: Friday evening, May 22rd, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Session Two: Saturday morning, May 23rd, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Session Three: Saturday afternoon, May 23rd, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
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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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The family should be a place of love and security. If you or someone you know is unsafe at home during this time, call an area YWCA for help.
Fort Wayne area: 1-866-YES-YWCA (bilingual services available)
South Bend area YWCA: 1-800-441-4073
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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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Walking with Moms in Need
Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. From March 25 2020 to March 25, 2021, all parishes will be embarking on "Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service." Visit their
website
for resources.
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