Greetings to all
of you from the Office of Marriage and Family Life!
From the Director
I just couldn't resist the picture. How we moaned about the snow into April, how we prayed for sun and warm weather. Reminded me a bit how Lent went, we wait, we moan, we celebrate. Yes Christ is Risen and we now find ourselves in Eastertide. We celebrate Mary, Mothers, First Communions, Fathers and Summertime in this issue. May God continue to bless you and your families abundantly,
Jeff Heinzen
FEATURED ARTICLES for April - June 2013
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Eastertide Blessing of Homes
Have you ever had your home blessed?
Ask your Priest or Deacon…
"The annual blessing of families takes place in their homes during Eastertide—or at other times of the year." This pastoral practice affords a precious occasion to recollect God's constant presence among Christian families. It is also an opportunity to invite the faithful to live according to the Gospel, and to exhort parents and children to preserve and promote the mystery of being 'a domestic church'" (Directory on Popular Piety, n.152). The texts for this rite are found in the Book of Blessings: "Order for the Annual Blessing of Families in their Own homes."
First Holy Eucharist
Or First Communion as it is often called, is an important milestone in a child's life. Every parent wants to make it the best experience possible. I know you want the best experience for your child, right?
The best experience means more than just a nice dress or suit and a party. There's nothing wrong with those things. But that's just the normal stuff - what every family gives their children. The best experience starts with a full understanding of what First Communion is all about so that you are truly celebrating its true meaning.
Read More >>.
National NFP Week is Coming
Are you Ready?
The Holidays provide an opportunity to bring families together and to announce special events. Often engagements are one of those celebrated events. The Catholic Church also welcomes these engaged couples to
begin the process of final discernment and preparation for their wedding day.
Read More >>
Do you know the story of Fr. Joe?
Do you know that he was a priest of our diocese who worked in the orphanage in Lima, Peru?
Do you know that our diocese has asked that he be considered for beatification?
Catholic Social Teaching promotes and defends marriage
Catholic Social Teaching is clear that marriage and the family are essential to the common good. "The family, the natural community in which human social nature is experienced, makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the good of society" (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 213). The family, "born of the intimate communion of life and love founded on the marriage between one man and one woman," is indeed "the first and vital cell of society" (no. 211). The importance of marriage and the family to the common good is why the Church works tirelessly to enact laws that recognize and support marriage's authentic meaning as the union of one man and one woman. According to the Compendium, society and state institutions are called "to guarantee and foster the genuine identity of family life and to avoid and fight all that alters or wounds it" (no. 252).
Got Milk? Another Benefit of Dairy Intake
Over the years, studies have shown an increase in the number of diagnosed endometriosis cases. Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body. This can lead to pain, irregular bleeding, and problems getting pregnant (infertility). Read More >>
Reducing Hot Flashes is as easy as Breathing
Winter is not the most favored time of year for individuals unless of course you are a menopausal woman who experiences frequent hot flashes. Cold, frigid temps are a welcome environment for many women when their skin heats up and the sweat begins to roll because it provides them with an easy way to cool down. Just open a window and enjoy the cool air. Read More >>
Enriching Your Marriage - Getting My Husband to go?
Tom & Caroline McDonald family-life coordinators for the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama offer the following insights;
There are many wonderful enrichment opportunities offered for Catholic married couples in our area, but I cannot convince my husband to go with me to any of them. He says he isn’t interested in that kind of “touchy-feely stuff.” How can I persuade him? Read More >>
SUMMER CAMPS
Camp Gray
Diocese of Madison
Reedsburg, WI.
It all started with a simple dream way back in 1953. Monsignor Francis Xavier Gray, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo, WI, dreamed of a "place where youths would be free and away from the temptations of the streets; where they could enjoy nature and become acquainted with it firsthand… a place where they could commune, under supervision, with their families, with their Creator… Read More >>
Adventure Camp
Diocese of La Crosse
Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime? You may think the greatest thing which awaits you is the 80 ft. rock you'll climb. But be assured, while the adventures will be great, your greatest adventure will come from the rock - JESUS Himself!
Read More >>
Apostolate for Family Consecration through the Renewal of the Family
Take a Catholic family vacation this year and come to Catholic Familyland! Enjoy a week of Faith, Family, and Fun in a God-centered environment. Grow in your faith and still have time to relax poolside, play a game of basketball, and enjoy a horseback ride and so much more.
Our cozy air-conditioned cabins sleep a family of nine comfortably. Tent and camper sites also available.
Read More >>
2013 Round Hill Camping Trips
This summer, Round Hill in Durand WI is offering a fantastic opportunity to parishes all over the Diocese of La Crosse. It is the chance to come and build strong fellowship with church members as well as experience God in the natural world He created for us. We welcome youth groups, families, and parish groups of any size to come camping out at Round Hill. We will provide full assistance with planning the trip, programming, and recreational activities at an affordable cost. We would absolutely love to help your group share in this experience!!
To explore this amazing opportunity further, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly Frei at freikm@uwec.edu or call at 608-397-6510. God Bless!!
April 28 — Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty
May 9 — Ascension
May 19 — Pentecost
SAVE THE DATES
May 9 – Ascension
May 12 – Mother's Day
May 19 – Pentecost Sunday
June 16 – Father's Day
FAVORITE MEDIA
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters – 10 Secrets
In today’s increasingly complicated world, it’s often difficult for parents to connect with their daughters – and especially so for fathers. In this unique and invaluable book, Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician with more than twenty years’ experience counseling girls, reveals that a young woman’s relationship with her father is far more important than we’ve ever realized. I highly recommend it and have given it to both of our married children.
Year of Faith
This is the Year of Faith as called for by Pope Benedict the XVI. This link will take you to the section on how families can celebrate the Year. Click here.
For Your Marriage
Four Your Marriage is a website full of great resources for those preparing for marriage, those married, and those struggling in their marriages. I recommend it for viewing at least once a week to someone checking in with our office. Read More >>
MOTHERS' DAY PRAYER
Thank you, Creator of us all, for my mother.
I thank you that she gave me life and nurtured me all these years. She gave me my faith, helping me to know you and to know Jesus and his ways. She taught me how to love and how to sacrifice for others. She taught me that it was okay to cry and that I should always tell the truth.
Bless her with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today. Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her. Give her strength and courage, compassion and peace.
Bless her this day with your love.
FATHER's DAY PRAYER
Thank you, friend Jesus, for my father who loves me,
for my grandfather who cares for me and for God, my eternal father,
who made me and is always with me. How Blessed I am! Amen!
That Man is You (TMIY) is a men’s prayer group that is spreading across the Diocese. The program is offered through the Office of Marriage and Family Life as part of its men’s ministries offerings. The feedback has been VERY positive. Men who have participated have shared that it has helped them become better husbands, better fathers and improved their prayer life. Want to learn more Read More >>
Director - Jeff Heinzen
608-788-7700 | Fax: 608-788-8413
familylife@dioceseoflacrosse.com