Eric Girten
The Catholic Kitchen
The Office of Family & Life (OFL) supports many wonderful programs and events throughout the year. As August falls upon us and our schools come back to life, I know it is time to remind everyone of several events that happen each fall (and programs that continue throughout the year). They include (with website links as appropriate):
- UNVEILED Marriage Preparation retreats for engaged couples, with the next being a one-day retreat on Sept. 25. www.evdio.org/marriage-preparation.html
- Three annual Wisdom Days (Evansville, Vincennes, and Dubois) held in October for those over the age of 55. www.evdio.org/events1.html
- Respect Life Celebration Mass, Dinner and Speaker (this year featuring Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City and USCCB Pro-Life Committee Chair) on Oct. 14. www.evdio.org/events1.html
- 40-Days For Life Prayer & Procession at Reitz Memorial High School on Sept. 21)
- Project Rachel ministry for those whose lives have been touched by abortion. www.evdio.org/project-rachel.html
- Natural Family Planning education and outreach through the Holy Family Center for Life. www.evdio.org/natural-family-planning.html
- Parish sponsor-couple programs; foster-care awareness; support for families experiencing crisis pregnancies; and support for married couples, parents, those touched by divorce, faith resources for prison inmates and more.
There are always opportunities to get involved and volunteer in any one of these areas. Examples include:
- Unveiled Marriage Preparation Retreat Facilitator Couples
- Two Facilitator Couples needed
- There are always two Facilitator Couples per retreat
- Weekend food and lodging expenses are covered
- The UNVEILED marriage preparation program is a clearly defined step-by-step process agenda.
- Parish-Level Sponsor Couples
- Parish-level sponsor-couple programs offer opportunities for parishes to wrap around and celebrate their young adults as they prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage.
- Natural Family Planning Presenter Couples: Married couples who are trained or are using Natural Family Planning are needed to tell their stories and impart the NFP message to High School students and engaged couples.
- NEW – Facilitators for Life Giving Wounds (Support for Adult Children of Divorce): This program is beginning in 2022. A group of five persons, who are themselves adult children of divorce, and a chaplain is needed to help bring other adult children of divorce the healing peace of Christ in their lives.
- Preparation and Setup for the Respect Life Celebration in October: This may include creating a celebration atmosphere within the conference space, serving beverages, managing doors, etc.
- Respect Life Coordinators are needed at certain parishes throughout the diocese.
- NEW – Steering Committee for Married Couple activities (lunches, speakers, TOT, date nights). A group of five persons preferred.
- NEW – Leaders from each of our four deaneries to work with the larger team to plan and implement the Love Ed program across the diocese.
- NEW – A diocesan team to coordinate the logistics of a diocesan-wide prison ministry/jail outreach
- One or two volunteers working specifically with the WALKING WITH MOMS IN NEED initiative
- Exploration committee (of five persons) to review the possibility of an annual diocesan Family Night
- Steering/Planning Committee of five persons to coordinate an annual Peace in the Mourning Widow Retreat
- Contact me at [email protected] if you have questions about any of the above or are interested in volunteering for any of these ministries
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us.