Encountering Christ in the Sacrament of Marriage

Catholic Marriage is a sacrament, a way of expressing God’s love in the world. Marriage is a calling from God to love one’s spouse with the deep, eternal love that Christ has for all people. It is one of the 3 great vocations, the others being priesthood or religious life, and the single life.

Introduction: Ritual of Marriage: Matthews Hall

Father will walk all ages through the symbols and promises of the wedding ritual that takes place during a Catholic marriage ceremony.

Age Group Sessions:

Adults will have a choice of 3 mini-sessions, of about a half hour each. They will have time to attend 2 sessions. This will give the presenters enough time to do a quality job, and for questions and answers. Parents in the Family Session will have a chance to attend these as well. The options will be:

• What is Catholic marriage? Presenter is Peter Martin from the Diocese – John Paul II room
• Why Marriage Matters: Speaker from Marriage Minnesota – Marian Room
• Get Your Questions about Marriage, Divorce and Annulment Answered: Fr. John – in the Bride’s room off of Matthews Hall

Teens – Grades 6 to 10 will be together, dividing out for the discussion segment – Matthews Hall

• Introductory games, with a slant toward building relationships
• Video from Theology of the Body
• Small group discussions

Elementary Children: Grades 1-5 with Catechists – Parish Life Center Gym

• Sacrament of Matrimony: based on Scripture Genesis 3
• Four stations with different leaerning activities: Friendship, Communication, and Forgiveness. (Discussion, team building, music and craft)

Closing:

People will return to Matthews Hall for a quick game of “Is it still a Marriage/Sacrament if…”, and closing prayer. Closing Prayer will include Scripture and a blessing.