Marriage Ministry
2008 Programs
The Marriage Ministry of Old St. Pat’s invites all married couples to mark their calendars for the 2008 programs. We would be honored by your presence.
Marriage Un-Corked
Old St. Pat’s continues its Marriage date-night series this year on six Friday nights at Old St. Pat’s. All married couples newly married and veterans alike are invited to gather for pizza, beer and stimulating conversation on your favorite topic: marriage. We would be honored by your presence, and we meet from 7-9 p.m. in the church hall. Please mark your calendar for these dates:
- April 18, 2008: The Challenge of Connecting, or “I feel loved when...”
Bringing Baby Home (BBH)
Marriage ministry is pleased to continue an exciting new program for first time parents experiencing the transition to parenthood. This two-day, two-weekend research-based workshop helps new parents learn: what to expect during the transition to parenthood, how to strengthen friendship and intimacy, and how to co-parent with one’s partner using well researched child development knowledge and techniques. The workshop will be offered on Saturday, May 10th and May 17th from 10:30 to 4 p.m. in the Mission Center at 711 West Monroe. Attendance is limited, so please call for reservations at 312.798.2386 or email:jackb@oldstpats.org.
Lenten Online Retreat for Married Couples
Again this year, during the season of Lent, Old St. Pat’s Church will offer married couples the opportunity to experience an online Lenten Retreat through the Parish Internet Web site. The retreat will include seven online sessions that will offer a brief reflection for married couples, several questions to answer as a couple, as well as suggested practices to work on each week. The idea for married couples is to utilize the retreat format to renew and grow their relationship with each other and to walk through Lent together to uncover the mystery of God’s love already present in their sacrament.
Marriage as a Spiritual Experience (Old St. Pat’s Pre-Cana Enhancement Program)
The Marriage Ministry at Old St. Pat’s is pleased and proud to announce the third year of a wonderful program for engaged couples who will celebrate the sacrament of marriage in our church in the coming year. While Pre-Cana preparation continues to be a requirement by the Archdiocese of Chicago for all engaged couples, this year we will continue to offer this exciting enhancement to Pre-Cana: “Marriage as a Spiritual Experience.” The two and a half hour Sunday afternoon seminar will cover the topics of Sacramentality and Spirituality of Marriage. The dates are as follows:
- April 20, 2008
- July 27, 2008
- Oct. 5, 2008
Annulment and Divorce Support
Introducing:
Divorce and Beyond – A Support Group
April 20 – June 1
Divorce and Beyond is a new program at Old St. Pat’s, designed to offer support, fellowship, and respect to our brothers and sisters who are currently going through a divorce or have completed the divorce. We will accompany you through the emotionally challenging process, and nourish and empower you, as you transition to your transformed present and future. Everyone is welcome to this six-week support group, no matter where you are in the divorce process. It is important to know you are not alone.
Topics will include: The Divorce Process; Self Image; Stress; Anger; Blame; Guilt; Loneliness; Forgiveness; Happiness; and Pathways to Growth. The meetings are scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon on Sundays, beginning April 20, and concluding on June 1, in the Fr. Jack Wall Mission Center, Room 32, 711 West Monroe, Chicago. Babysitting services will be available.
To register for this group, or for further information, please contact Patty Stiles at 847.220.3011, or pstiles224@comcast.net; or Jack Berkemeyer at 312.798.2368, or JackB@oldstpats.org. If these dates are not convenient for you, we anticipate forming another group in the early fall.
Friday Evening Marriage Enrichment Groups
Intentionally taking time once a month to have a quiet evening with your spouse and other married couples is often just the prescription for marriage. Old St. Pat’s sponsors groups of married couples who meet in their homes. A simple dinner is followed by a brief discussion of an important marriage issue, with one-on-one couple time. The program will take place on Friday evenings through June 2008.
For more information, call Mercy Gilpatrick at 312.360.1115, or Jack Berkemeyer at 312.798.2386.
- For more information
- Call Jack Berkemeyer at 312.798.2386 or email him at JackB@oldstpats.org.