January 23: Catholic feast day called “The Espousal of Mary and Joseph.”

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Celebration!, Defend Life, Events / Calendar, Family MInistry, FREE Catholic resources, Marriage and the Family, Prayer Intentions, the Devil

Considering the passing of the recent [DIS]Respect for Marriage Act, I believe it is time that you and I bring this feast day back into a wide and devout practice. Click here for story of a marriage saved and the prayer that saved it. Did you know that in 1969, Governor Ronald Reagan of California made what he later admitted was one of the biggest mistakes of his political life? He signed the nation’s first no-fault divorce bill. And the result? Today we see a steady crumbling of the foundation of all social structures—marriage and the family. For many Fatima devotees this comes as no surprise; Our Lady warned of a “great chastisement in the second half of the twentieth century.” As a confirmation of this prophecy, Sr. Lucia wrote the following in a letter to her dear friend, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra in 1983 or 1984:  “Father, a time will come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and the family. And those who will work for the good of the family will experience persecution and tribulation. But do not be afraid, because Our Lady has already crushed his head.” My friend, can...

Pope: Parents who face challenges for their children’s sake are heroes – Vatican News

by | Jan 14, 2022 | Accompaniment, Catechesis, Devotion to Mary, Family MInistry, Marriage and the Family, Pope Francis, St. Joseph, The Holy Family

Pope Francis grants an interview to Vatican Media on being parents during the Covid-19 pandemic and the witness of Saint Joseph, calling him an example of strength and tenderness for today’s fathers. By Andrea Monda and Alessandro Gisotti The Special Year dedicated to Saint Joseph ended 8 December 2021, but Pope Francis’ attention and love for this Saint have not ended and indeed are further strengthened in the Catecheses which he has been devoting to the figure of the Patron of the universal Church, since 17 November. On our part, L’Osservatore Romano [in Italian] has published a monthly feature throughout 2021 which was also covered by the Vatican News website, on Patris corde, focusing on each chapter of the Apostolic Letter on Saint Joseph. This feature which dealt with fathers, but also with children and mothers in an ideal dialogue with the Bridegroom of Mary, prompted in us the desire to discuss with the Pope the theme of paternity and its various aspects, challenges and complexities. The following interview thus resulted in Pope Francis answering our questions, showing all his love for families, his closeness to those experiencing suffering, and the Church’s embrace of the fathers and mothers who today have to...

St. Augustine’s Works in Today’s Language

by | Jan 4, 2022 | books, Communion of Saints, Family MInistry, Marriage and the Family, On Sale

“With his selections from and superb introduction to Augustine’s monumental City of God, Balthasar succeeds in making the text available to a new group of readers.” — David L. Schindler, Professor of Fundamental Theology, John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage The City of God Selections and Introduction by Hans Urs von Balthasar Saint Augustine Few books have impacted the West as deeply as The City of God. Yet few of us will ever read the epic work, which often stretches past one thousand pages. This volume offers a shorter, simpler road through Augustine’s masterpiece. Edited by Hans Urs von Balthasar, it presents key selections culled for their beauty and spiritual power, augmented by notes. Buy Now Use coupon code CITYOFGOD25 for 25% off* this title. Related Titles at 25% off* with Code CITYOFGOD25 Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now Give Us a Follow! *Offer expires January 11, 2022 11:59pm PT. 25% off applied to list price. Must use PROMO CODE: CITYOFGOD25. Promotional discounts are not combined when more than one coupon is used on an order. The greater promotional discount is...

Family, Vocation, Catholic Basics, and More from St. Paul-Inside-the-Walls

by | Nov 3, 2021 | a current event, Accompaniment, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Catechesis, Children, Evangelization, Family MInistry, Marriage and the Family, Vocations

This three-session course focuses on the universal call to holiness and our living out of that call—in and through our own personal vocations. Whether married or single, a priest or in consecrated life, each of us has been given a unique mission in building up the Church. In accepting and fulfilling this mission, we often discover opportunities to mentor others and to help them recognize what God is calling them to do as well. Understanding that we are not meant to be lone rangers will not only benefit us spiritually, but should also inspire us to help guide those we encounter in our ministries and daily lives towards an ever-deepening relationship with God and others too. This course meets on three consecutive Wednesdays:  November 3, 10, and 17 at 7:30pm  Register Here Fr. Jared Brogan hosts the last session of Winding Thru Worship. The topic is Baptism: Called By Name to Discipleship Confirmation: Sent Out as Missionary Disciples Two Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism and Confirmation, have been understood and celebrated differently throughout the history of the Church. Why is that? Where are we now? This presentation will explore these Sacraments of Initiation in terms of the call to discipleship....

Resources for Families and Family Life Ministry from St. Paul-Inside-the-Walls

by | Oct 19, 2021 | Defend Life, Family MInistry, Lifelong Learning, Marriage and the Family, Sacredness of All Life

The Office of Family Life 4 Family Life MARRIAGE AND FAMILY Marriage & Family Resources Training & Pastoral Resources Marriage Preparation Women’s Health & Fertility Awareness Bereavement Separated and Divorced RESPECT LIFE Respect Life Contact Us Eniola Honsberger Director of the Office of Family Life 973-377-1004, ext. 417 ehonsbergerpatersondiocese.org Our Purpose Support Strengthen Serve Our main priority is to supprort pastors and parish staff by providing resources and trainings to better equip and prepare them to work with the people in their parishes and evangelize those searching for community. We strive to strengthen the couples that attend our diocesan marriage prep programs and natural family planning classes with the beauty of God’s Plan for their lives in a engaging and inviting way. The Office of Family Life serves the people of the Diocese of Paterson through family life programs that meet people where they are at, such as; the annulment process, the women’s conference, and much more!                                                    St. Paul Inside the Walls        205 Madison Avenue              Madison, NJ 07940...