Monday, May 27, 2013

Marriage and Radicalism

Our prayers and blessings are offered today for all those who are serving and have served our country with dignity and honor.  You have our utmost respect and eternal gratitude for the sacrifices you have made in your family and marriage to serve us.  May God grant you grace for your selfless actions to uphold our freedoms.



Have you ever contemplated the Sacrament of Marriage as a radical form of Christianity?
In a recent post on his DalyFocus blog, Jim Daly of Focus on the Family did something similar and we are inspired to share his thoughts!  In micro-summary form - he offers that the Three Ways to Be a Radical Christian include getting married young, have many children, and raise your kids to love the Lord.  AMEN  >Read the full post

Here's another one inspired by the blog Made in His Image:  avoid premarital sex!  >Read MIHI's blog post on How Premarital Sex Rewires the Brain

As our culture pressures us to accept the inevitability of the redefinition of marriage, we'd propose that standing firm and upholding the truth that marriage is between one man and one woman as yet another radical form of Christianity.  We'll offer some advice and talking points in this regard from the USCCB website Marriage: Unique for a Reason

  • Read about What You Can Do as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on DOMA and Prop 8.  Hint: it involves prayer and speaking out!
  • Read Lead Messages of Marriage Redefinition for advice on what to say when marriage comes up in conversation with friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, etc. because "Marriage needs to be strengthened, not redefined. Cohabitation, divorce, and contraception all erode marriage’s meaning as a public, total, lifelong, and fruitful communion of persons between husband and wife."
Please share with us your thoughts and ways in which marriage can be lived as a form of radical Christianity. May God bless you for defending marriage!



Sunday, May 19, 2013

Making June Plans? Save these Dates

The Marriage-Building Parish Initiative has nearly completed its year of programming and enrichment opportunities. Yesterday, our capstone presentation by Mrs. Kimberly Hahn spiritually "filled to the brim" one participant and "ended too soon" in the words of another. Mrs. Hahn's scriptural insights into God's design for marriage were truly a blessing to all. Our Lending Library will be stocked with new resources from Mrs. Hahn, including the 3 books which her talks were based upon: "Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage," "Beloved and Blessed: Biblical Wisdom for Family Life," and "Life-Giving Love: Embracing God's Beautiful Design for Marriage."

The month of June features several events that we hope you will join us for:

June 2nd - Financial Peace University Begins: If your marriage relationship is struggling due to lack of communication on finances, if you've never been on the same page about spending vs. saving, if you are burdened with debt, if you need advice on how to plan for retirement, or if you just need some motivation to get your financial house in order...FPU is the program for you! The series will meet Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the SJE Life House. Childcare may be available for those who register in advance. Read More and Register Today!

June 9th - Children's Rosary: All families are invited to join us at 6:00 PM when we'll pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary at the SJE Day Chapel using an interactive and dynamic manner that engages children of all ages.

 Children aged 8 and older are needed to read the reflections and lead the prayers, and those in 4th grade or above are needed to help as song leaders. We will gather at the school playground behind the Day Chapel afterwards for fellowship and light refreshments. Please bring a snack to share and lawn chair if you’d like a place to sit.

June 23rd - "Celebrate Marriage" is an ecumenical prayer service of the Indiana Pastors Alliance.  All are welcome to participate in praise and  fellowship as we recognize the sanctity of marriage.  We'll meet at 5:00 PM in the SJE Church at 10701 Olcott Avenue, St. John...followed by delicious treats provided by SJE's Angel Food Ministry.  Invite your family, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances to this family-friendly gathering!

June 29th/30th - At all weekend Masses, we'll close our Marriage-Building parish year in grand style with a renewal of vows by all married couples in attendance!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Forming Our Youth: Modesty

A final reminder that tickets are still available for our capstone presentation in the Marriage-Building Speaker Series on May 18th featuring Mrs. Kimberly Hahn!  Cost is only $10 per person with advance registration online or in the parish office.  Register online now!

Tickets will also be available at the door for $15 per person

Don't Forget about these Related Events at SJE:

Wednesday, 15th: Mom & Tot small group study featuring DVD presentations by Kimberly Hahn.  > Read More & Register


Forming Our Youth:
a Marriage-Building Parish Building Block

We must form young people in the beliefs and virtues necessary for healthy relationships. > Read more about this building block

As part of the Marriage Building Parish initiative, the Catholic Family Institute, with permission from Four Court Press LTD, will feature excerpts from Mr. Isaac’s book each month in the bulletin and on this blog.


Character Building: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by David Isaacs

In his book, Mr. Isaacs explores twenty-four virtues we should develop to have more “self-mastery and better serve others,” abilities we all hope our children will have.  Recognizing that the example we set leaves a more lasting impression on our children than the words we say, each chapter includes a description of a virtue and a series of questions that help assess how well you are living that virtue and how well you are helping to develop the virtue in children/students.

This month's featured virtue is Modesty.

Modest people recognize the value of their own privacy and respect that of others. Individual privacy relates to the uniqueness of each human person as a composite of body, soul and emotions. Respect for one’s privacy can be seen in the home, one’s dress and one’s language.
  • The home should provide physical and emotional space for each member of the family to express her/his true intimate self and to share that intimate self appropriately with the other members of the family and trusted friends.
  • Modesty in dress means that our body is available to no one but ourselves and that we have no desire to share it with everybody giving us the ability to share it with only one person in particular, our spouse, or nobody at all if called to a religious vocation.
  • Modesty in language means speaking of intimate matters and personal problems in the appropriate circumstances to the right person at the right time and protecting from the curiosity of others the feelings, sentiments and states of mind that make up one’s spiritual and emotional life.

Answer the following questions and discuss your reflections with a spouse/friend.

Am I modest?
  • Do I understand that sometimes I should keep things to do with my intimate self private and that sometimes I should share it with others? When I share these things with others, is it because I am looking for help or I think I may be able to help them?
  • Do I dress according to the rules of modesty and consider whether my clothing and my demeanor will provoke members of the opposite sex?
  • Do I try to be careful about the language I use in order not to be vulgar or crude or offend God?

Do I Teach Others to Be Modest?
  • Do I insist that children respect other peoples privacy by knocking on doors before entering and not walking around the house without clothes on?
  • Do I help the children understand the importance of not prying into other people’s privacy and encourage them to dress and behave themselves in a modest manner?
  • Do I give my children age-appropriate information about their bodies and sex framed in the context of God’s plan for marital love and them personally and in accordance with the moral/sexual teachings of the Church?
Please share your thoughts and comments.



Sunday, May 5, 2013

Resource Referral: The 4 Seasons of Marriage

Before we get to this week's resource referral on marriage, a quick reminder that tickets are still available for our capstone presentation in the Marriage-Building Speaker Series on May 18th featuring Mrs. Kimberly Hahn!  Cost is only $10 per person.  Register online now!

Don't Forget about these Related Events at SJE:

Wednesdays, May 8th & 15th: Mom & Tot small group study featuring DVD presentations by Kimberly Hahn.  > Read More & Register


Father Maletta recently shared his book recommendations which included a "Highly Recommended" designation for The 4 Seasons of Marriage by Dr. Gary Chapman. Chapman is the author of best selling The Five Love Languages. He provides an easy-to-grasp framework to help couples understand their marriage and seven practical strategies for strengthening or improving their marriage relationship based on what season they find themselves in.

Read more about the book and take a marriage quiz online at www.fourseasonsofmarriage.com!