Blog
Two of Us: Barriers to Belonging
How well do you give all of yourself to your spouse? Reflect Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions. Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse. Prayer What a great gift You have given me in the Sacrament of Marriage.What a blessing! I raise to…
Read MoreTwo of Us: Attitudes About Sexuality
How do you use the gift of your sexuality in your marriage? Reflect Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions. Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse. Prayer Father, tell me why I am not completely at ease with my sexuality. So often I’m tentative,…
Read MoreTwo of Us: Qualities of Spouse
Refocusing on yourspouses qualities Reflect Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions. Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse. Prayer Help me to really internalize all the wonderful qualities my spouse has. I often take his/her goodness for granted and look for other things. You…
Read MoreTwo of Us: Sexual Formation
How first learning aboutsex and sexuality affects you Reflect Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions. Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse. Prayer My parents are important to me, Father. They have had such an influence upon me. I don’t always like the results. …
Read MoreMarriage Martyrdom
Blood Red In a sea of red, the Cardinals of the Church gathered over the past few weeks to farewell Benedict, elect his successor, and inaugurate Francis. The red of their dress signifies blood, not Christ’s blood, but their blood, that they have proven themselves ready to spill in service of the faith and the…
Read MoreTwo of Us: Personality Type
Personality influencing relationships Reflect Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions. Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse. Prayer I am a very unique type of person. You had a lot to do with that, Father. After all, you made me in You image and…
Read MoreSmart Dating #5: The Raunch Woman
The Raunch Culture A fascinating trend has emerged in the last decade or two. ‘The Raunch Culture’ refers to a subgroup of single women who dress seductively and drink and talk like ‘one of the boys’. Indiscriminate sexual availability, coarse language, feigned obsession with all matters sporting and revealing clothes are standard. While some women…
Read MoreSmart Dating #4: You Are What You Do
Almost everyone aspires to a happy, life-long marriage. Surveys across different cultures and various age groups all point to the predominant desire for a loving and stable family life shared with a partner with whom one can work as a team for the good of the family. And why wouldn’t we? We all know that…
Read MoreTwo of Us: Communication
Conversations with your spouse Reflect Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions. Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse. Prayer Marriage is wonderful. You have brought the two of us together. I realize, Father, that the delight of our marriage, the level of closeness we…
Read MoreSmart Dating #2: Ask ‘Why’ before you Try
Sexual Compatibility Since the 1960’s the slogan ‘try before you buy’ became a common excuse for premarital sex. It’s still popular today and has underpinned the rise in cohabitation. We’ve been led to believe that ‘sexual compatibility’ is the most influential factor in a successful marriage. Of course when you think it through, the line…
Read More