Marriage & Family Life Ministry
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MISSION
San Rafael’s Marriage & Family Life Ministry, guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church and empowered by the graces of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, is committed to enriching and fortifying our Domestic Churches. Through prayer, education, mentorship, and support, we provide couples with the tools to navigate challenges, deepen intimacy, and embrace sacrificial love, thereby strengthening their family life.
VISION
Our vision is to enrich family life within our parish by cultivating a community where each family is integral to a larger family of families. We aim to achieve this by actively engaging our youth, promoting a sacramental life, encouraging active participation, and offering practical support. Central to our mission is the enrichment and nurturing of the sacramental bond of marriage, which we believe establishes the foundation of strong and resilient families. Through these efforts, we aspire to create a supportive environment where every family feels valued, strengthened, and spiritually uplifted.
SUBGROUPS WITHIN MARRIAGE and FAMILY LIFE MINISTRYMARRIAGE LIFE
Married Couples
Engaged Couples
- FAMILY LIFE
- Fathers Group
- Mothers Group
- Children’s Group
FRAMEWORK FOR STRENGTHENING MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE: FOUR PILLARSI. Prayer and Relationship with Christ: To foster among the Catholic faithful, in their marriages and families, a living relationship with Jesus Christ by instilling in them a deep appreciation for prayer and the sacramental life
Engaging in Living a Sacramental Life
Encouraging commitment to personal prayer to grow in relationship with God
Educating the primary purpose, to know love and serve God.
II. Formation: To encourage human, spiritual, intellectual, and missionary formation that provides a healthy foundation for marriages and families.
Call to leadership and active participation in Pastoral Life
Encouraging participation in Liturgical Ministries
- Keeping member informed of various spiritual formation opportunities available parish wide (ie. Bible Studies, Mission Nights)
- Offer practical educational seminars to equip couples and family with the necessary tools to thrive.
II. Accompaniment: To develop pastoral strategies that identify and respond to the realities of married couples, families, and those discerning marriage.
Married Couples - Grace Marriage (Marriage Enrichment)
Engaged Couples - Witness to Love (Marriage Preparation)
Father’s Group - Into the Breach, an Apostolic Exhortation to Catholic Men
Mother’s Group (TBD)
- Children’s Group - Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy in action
III. Advocacy: To advance the truths of the human person, marriage, and the family, through advocacy in the public square.
Protection of Human Life (Service)
- Educate, engage, and encourage members to live consistently with natural law and church teachings.
- When necessary, lead the organization of opposing laws that violate the dignity of the human person made in the image and likeness of God.
The parish may not be able to care for all the challenging situations that families experience, but it must be a place of welcome and mercy, a home where help is provided, and healing begins. Training in leadership skills such as active listening, communication, mentoring, pedagogy, or management for ministry leaders.
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Upcoming Events
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Saturday, October 12, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PMIf you are a part of a family (which everyone is) then YOU are invited to our monthly Family Nights! The night will begin with the Men, Women and Children all meeting separately, then coming together at 7:30 PM for Dinner and Fellowship!Read More
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Wednesday, October 16, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PMOn our date nights couples will have the opportunity to evaluate their marriage, engage with Biblical principles, and participate in an ongoing path toward a healthy, Christ-centered marriage. (80 to 90 % of the night will be spent one on one with your spouse)Read More
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Saturday, November 9, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PMIf you are a part of a family (which everyone is) then YOU are invited to our monthly Family Nights! The night will begin with the Men, Women and Children all meeting separately, then coming together at 7:30 PM for Dinner and Fellowship!Read More
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Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PMOn our date nights couples will have the opportunity to evaluate their marriage, engage with Biblical principles, and participate in an ongoing path toward a healthy, Christ-centered marriage. (80 to 90 % of the night will be spent one on one with your spouse)Read More
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