Marriage Statement: Catechetical Resources

Here are a few resources you might want to consider using in any special program you might have for young adults and faith enrichment that support the Church teaching and understanding of marriage.

The first is an English language resource sponsored by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops titled “For your marriage.”  It’s a great resource that you’ll want to explore and has many easily downloadable videos, audios and print materials.  Even the television ads on the front web page could be faith sharing starters at your pastoral and finance council meetings.  Here’s the English language link: http://foryourmarriage.org/

The second is a parallel web page resource in Spanish.  I stress parallel because the material is different and pointed to the Hispanic community.  Right now, for example there’s a fairly substantial reflection titled La Sagrada Familia Inmigrante drawing parallels to the migratory beginnings of Jesus and his family with the immigrant struggle with which we are all so familiar for so many of our Spanish-speaking folks.  I might add that the radio spots from this website have been carried by Radio KDNA, La Voz del Campesino.  Some of these resources are great faith-sharing starters that can be used in your routine cycle of parish meetings in Spanish as well as core catechetical content in parish prayer groups.  Here’s the Spanish language link: http://www.portumatrimonio.org/

Perhaps the most robust web site directly addressing why – for society – marriage ought to remain defined as a bond between men and women is the USCCB website titled “Marriage:  Unique for a Reason.”  One of the real challenges is that our people – especially our youth – swim in a culture that defines basic human identity as “gay” and “straight.”  This web site uplifts the deeper and richer understanding of human identity as “male” and “female.”  There are fine videos on this site that you can download for free and use in adult education and youth presentations.  I’d also suggest using these as discussion starters for your regular parish gatherings.  If  you lack the bandwidth or find  yourself a bit challenged on the technology know that I have some of these videos in my office so give Cathy Fritch or I a call and I’d be happy to send them out through the regular lending library process.  The web link for this website is: http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/

Know that the February Executive Committee of the Presbyteral Council will be discussing this topic and reviewing these resources so if you have any thoughts, be sure to give your regional representative a call or send an e-mail to the president of the council, Father Tom Kuykendall at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Again, I thank you, your parish staff and core volunteers for making the extra effort to download and print our joint statement on marriage as well as our bulletin announcement urging our people to contact legislators in Olympia.