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.

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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!

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!

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

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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.

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

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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!

Converting to Catholicism: Her Testimonial and more from Mrs. Kimberly Hahn

As we prepare to welcome Mrs. Kimberly Hahn at St. John the Evangelist for her capstone presentation in our Marriage-Building Speaker Series on May 18th, the following resources are presented to help you get to know Mrs. Hahn better.

Don't Forget about these Related Events at SJE:

Wednesday, May 1st: Mom & Tot small group study featuring DVD presentations by Kimberly Hahn.  > Read More & Register

Saturday/Sunday, May 4th/5th:  15-Minute Faith Formation after the 5 pm, 7:30 am and 9:30 am Masses will feature a brief review of Dr. & Mrs. Hahn's book Rome Sweet Home.

Stop by the Lending Library to borrow titles by Mrs. Kimberly Hahn!

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From EWTN's The Journey Home with Scott & Kimberly Hahn 9/6/2010:  Kimberly shares how she was "jealous of Mary" because whenever she had difficult discussions with Scott about the intention of becoming Catholics, Scott would have "a lovely little walk with Mary" and pray the rosary. Her father who is a Presbyterian pastor reminded her of the prayer "Lord I will go wherever you want me to go, I will say whatever you want me to say and I will give away whatever you want me to give away."  > Watch the Clip

> View the Full Interview

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In her own words, Kimberly Hahn's conversion story.  > Read More

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Kimberly Hahn on offering everything to God.  > Watch the Clip

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Defending the Faith Conference 2010:  Using Scripture and the Catechism, Kimberly Hahn teaches on the true meaning of chastity. It's an apprenticeship in self-mastery and the successful integration of sexuality in a person's life. Everybody married or single is called to chastity.  > Watch the Clip

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A Lie in the Language of Love excerpted from Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments by Scott Hahn:  "Return with me, for a moment, to the early 1980s, when Kimberly and I were newlyweds. Ardent Presbyterians, we both were studying theology at a conservative evangelical seminary.

The curriculum was demanding; money was tight; and we, like all our married friends, were using contraceptives. Children would have to wait till we were ready, financially and otherwise. In the meantime, artificial birth control allowed us the pleasure of what we considered "normal" marital relations. We thought of it as an extended honeymoon.

During our second year at seminary, however, Kimberly discovered the lie that was at the root of our married life. In research for an ethics course, she found that, until 1930, Christian churches-without exception-condemned contraception in the strongest terms."  > Read More

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We hope you'll join us for Mrs. Hahn's marriage enrichment seminar on May 18th! Invite your friends and family whether they are single, engaged, or married.

Presentations include: "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."  Early bird discount tickets available through April 30th ... only $5 per person.

Marriage-Building Speaker Series featuring Mrs. Kimberly Hahn

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 9 AM - 2 PM(Church)

Mrs. Kimberly Hahn is an author, popular speaker, wife of Dr. Scott Hahn and mother of six. She will be discussing God's design for marriage as our closing keynote for the Marriage-Building speaker series on Saturday, May 18th. Mrs. Hahn will offer biblical wisdom to enrich marriages in very practical ways. With simplicity, grace, and wit, she shares her personal experiences and practical insights on how to apply the truths of our Catholic Faith to everyday life.

Register online now or stop by the Parish or Narthex office. Early registration is $5 per person and closes April 30th. On May 1st, registration increases to $10 per person. Spread the word! > Download a flyer to share

Co-sponsored by The Shrine of Christ's Passion and Couple to Couple League of Northwest Indiana

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Related Events at SJE:

Wednesday, May 1st: Mom & Tot small group study featuring DVD presentations by Kimberly Hahn.  > Read More & Register

Saturday/Sunday, May 4th/5th:  15-Minute Faith Formation after the 5 pm, 7:30 am and 9:30 am Masses will feature a brief review of Dr. & Mrs. Hahn's book Rome Sweet Home.

And don't forget to stop by the Lending Library to borrow titles by Mrs. Kimberly Hahn!

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Getting to Know Mrs. Hahn:

Mrs. Kimberly Hahn has been married to Scott since 1979. They have six children and four grandchildren. Kimberly has been a full-time, stay-at-home Mom since their firstborn’s arrival. Currently, she home schools her younger children. She enjoys speaking with Scott, but ministry is a priority after family commitments.

Kimberly became a Catholic at the Easter Vigil of 1990 in Joliet, Illinois, after a difficult struggle during the four years following Scott’s entrance into the Catholic Church. She has completed a book with Scott on their journey into the Catholic Church entitled Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism. It has been translated into Spanish, French, Czech, Polish, Chinese, Italian, German and Dutch. In addition to Rome Sweet Home, Kimberly’s other books are Beloved and Blessed: Biblical Wisdom for Family Life; Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart; Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage; and Life Giving Love: Embracing God’s Beautiful Design for Marriage published by Servant Publications. She has contributed chapters to the four-volume series of books, Catholic for A Reason, as well as The Gift of Femininity. She has also co-authored a book on Catholic home education with Mary Hasson entitled, Catholic Education - Homeward Bound: A Guide to Home Schooling.

Kimberly’s educational background includes a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Arts from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania, in May of 1979 (magna cum laude), followed by a Masters of Arts in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in May, 1982 (magna cum laude).

During past school years, Kimberly lead a weekly Bible study at Franciscan University. Her studies on the Mysteries of the Rosary, Proverbs 31, Knowing the Will of God, Finances, Praying from the Hearth, Dating and Courtship, and Women of Hope are available on through St. Joseph Communications as are many of her talks on topics related to family life and the Catholic faith.

Forming Our Youth: Sincerity

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.

Another important virtue is Sincerity.

A sincere person makes full disclosure, where appropriate, to the right person and at the right time, of anything they have done, seen, thought or felt with regard to their own or another’s situation. Sincerity involves telling the truth in a simple, orderly way and with a sense of responsibility. Sincerity should always be governed by prudence and charity. We should only give our opinion if we have sufficient information and if it will not damage someone else in a negative way.

To help our children develop sincerity, we should encourage our children to talk to us about themselves and direct them:

• To distinguish between fact and opinion
• To decide what is really important
• To decide who should be told what
• To decide what is an opportune moment
• To understand the reasoning behind the above distinctions

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

Am I Sincere?

• Do I prudently and charitably talk about what I have seen and what I have heard?
• Do I share information about feelings, ideas, etc to help others or to look for help towards my own improvement?
• Do I give good example to the children by neither lying, nor covering up the truth, or trying to mislead other people?
• Am I conscious of the times when I cannot and should not reveal some truth?

Do I Teach Others to Be Sincere?

• Do I tend to trust the children and believe what they say without being naïve? (Sincerity is stimulated through signs of trust.)
• Do I help the children distinguish between reality and imagination? (It is good for children to develop an imagination, but it is not good for them to mix up reality and fantasy.)
• Do I keep an eye on the children who talk too much, to help them learn that there is a right time and a right person? (One may have to explain the negative consequences of talking about the wrong things to the wrong people.)
• If a child tends to lie, I try to find out why and then take some action. (For example, some children may feel a need to lie in order not to seem different from their friends, or to be more important, or for fear of some punishment.)

Please share your thoughts and comments.