Part of marriage preparation in the Archdiocese of Newark means wither attending a Pre-Cana session (or sessions) which is always a good a practical experience. Important topics such as the need for the sacraments, communications, finances, responsible parenthood and prayer, to name a few are included. These sessions most often are lead by lay couples who are experiences in the ways of marriage and also present often is a priest to give a talk or two and perhaps to lead a prayer service or offer Mass.
An anternative in Newark is the Engaged Encounter weekend retreat. This EE retreat, as it have come to be known is a weekend long, prayerful, spiritual occasion for engaged couples to get away from the world to focus on their future spouses and forthcoming lives together. While Pre-Cana is very good, I think that EE is great! Important topics- many of the same as are included in Pre-Cana, but in EE, the talks are a bit more detailed and witnessed to by the leading couples.
The couples who work the team are either senior couples or junior couples, depending on their marriage experience. This past weekend (October 9-11) was truly a grace-filled weekend, clearly blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit and Our Lord Jesus! The were many couples on this retreat who were so excited about their upcoming weddings and very much interested in preparing for their lives together. It is exciting to see young couples in love and excited about their futures together, seeing it as an adventure together with God! Quite edifying.
Also, hearing the stories of our senior couple: Judy and Al Kendziora and junior couple Paul and Sandy Gerbino gives one a great appreciation for the value of working through the highs and lows and struggles and blessings of married love. Their stories are awe-inspiring! They always do such a wonderful job as a team.
These couples on team are such great assets to the marriage preparation program for the Archdiocese of Newark. they are helping to produce a new breed of spiritual, prayerful, discerning young couples who are the Engaged Couple!
-Fr. Marc Vicari
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Petition
In New Jersey, the Bishops' Initiative to continue to remind and reeducate our faithful about marriage, its elements and its nature has been exceedingly successful thus far. For several weeks the pastors of the dioceses of the state have been asked to make the bishops' documents accessible for their parishioners. Its purpose is for parishioners to understand what makes marriage and how marriage as we know it far outdates governments and civil laws.
Marriage historically has been comprised of man and woman. A man compliments a woman perfectly: physically as well as emotionally, as do women for men. This is the natural aspect of marriage and coupling. While same-sex attraction is not new, the attempt to redefine marriage is. No where in history do we have men marrying men and women marrying women. The attempt to call same-sex unions "marriage" is relatively new.
Some of the purposes of educating the faithful of marriage and its covenental nature is to fortify the great institution; to remind couples of what they got into and engaged couples what they are getting into and to help the faithful understand that attempts to redefine what we historically call "marriage" cannot and should not be changed to mean something else.
As a follow-up to the reminder and reeducation of what constitutes marriage, the bishops have asked the faithful to sign petitions that will be presented to local legislators, namely, the state senators and assemblypersons of their districts. The petition simply reminds the legislators that the Civil Union Act of 2006 already gives same-sex couples who enter into a civil union, all the same rights as married couples. Therefore, instead of redefining marriage, legislators who seek to enforce the Act. It is a very simple petition; it is not anti-anyone or anything. it does not speak against homosexuality or the persons. Instead it speaks of upholding marriage as we already know it.
-Rev. Marc A. Vicari
Marriage historically has been comprised of man and woman. A man compliments a woman perfectly: physically as well as emotionally, as do women for men. This is the natural aspect of marriage and coupling. While same-sex attraction is not new, the attempt to redefine marriage is. No where in history do we have men marrying men and women marrying women. The attempt to call same-sex unions "marriage" is relatively new.
Some of the purposes of educating the faithful of marriage and its covenental nature is to fortify the great institution; to remind couples of what they got into and engaged couples what they are getting into and to help the faithful understand that attempts to redefine what we historically call "marriage" cannot and should not be changed to mean something else.
As a follow-up to the reminder and reeducation of what constitutes marriage, the bishops have asked the faithful to sign petitions that will be presented to local legislators, namely, the state senators and assemblypersons of their districts. The petition simply reminds the legislators that the Civil Union Act of 2006 already gives same-sex couples who enter into a civil union, all the same rights as married couples. Therefore, instead of redefining marriage, legislators who seek to enforce the Act. It is a very simple petition; it is not anti-anyone or anything. it does not speak against homosexuality or the persons. Instead it speaks of upholding marriage as we already know it.
Marriage between a man and a woman that is covenental and enduring is good for the children of that relationship for many reasons both psychologically as well as sociologically. Because marriage is good for the children through simple extension, it is then good for society. Pray that not only is marriage defended, but just as importantly, fortified for the good of society.
-Rev. Marc A. Vicari
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
