Faith & Marriage

Resources for Married Couples

Websites:

www.foryourmarriage.org

www.dads.org (Catholic fatherhood)

www.unityrestored.com (Issues with pornography)

www.pureloveclub.com (Talking to teens about chastity, modesty, purity and more)

www.e5men.com

www.maritalhealing.com

www.thealexanderhouse.org

www.covenantoflove.org

Work from Pope John Paul II on Faith and Marriage:

Online:

Apostolic Exhortation of John Paul II: The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World

Encyclical Letter of John Paul II: Ecclesia De Eucharistia

Letter of John Paul II: Letter to Families

Letter of John Paul II: Letter to Children

The Apostolic Exhortation of John Paul II: On the Laity

The Apostolic Exhortation of John Paul II: Ecclesia in America

Letter of John Paul II: Fidelity of Husband and Wife Stands Like a Solid Rock on Which Children’s Trust Rests

Exerts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Paragraph numbers 1601-1666

Books:

  1. Love and Responsibility, –by Karol Wojtyla, Ignatius Press
  2. Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body, Pauline Books & Media

New Orleans Archdiocese Family Life Apostolate:

  • Phone Number;
      • (504) 861-6243
  • Website:
  • Retreat Programs: (below information is found on the FLA website)
      • Marriage Encounter
        • For any married couple seeking a richer, fuller life together. Marriage Encounter is NOT intended for hurting marriages.
        • Marriage Encounter is designed to give married couples the opportunity to examine their lives together. It is a time to share feelings, hopes, disappointments, joys and frustrations, and to do so openly and honestly, face-to-face with one's spouse. Retreats begins on Friday evenings and ends on Sunday afternoon. The gathering takes place at a local motel or retreat facility
        • For more information contact Tom & Michelle 1-888-469-3735. 
        • For more information about Worldwide Marriage Encounter visit their website:
        • For supplies and registration forms regarding Marriage Encounter contact Family Life Apostolate, 861-6243.
      • Retrouvaille/Rediscovery For Hurting Marriages
        • For married couples experiencing serious difficulties in their marriages.
        • A weekend experience presented by three married couples and a priest. The team couples have experienced deep disillusionment in their own relationships. The program helps couples to learn how to communicate in a non-threatening way, and it gives new hope for the marriage through trust. The program, usually presented at a motel or retreat facility, begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night and closes at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Couples stay and eat in the motel or retreat facility. There is no group sharing or group interaction. Six follow-up sessions to the weekend must be attended.
        • For further information contact Family Life Apostolate at 504- 861-6243 (New Orleans area); Mike and Judi 985-641-3802 (Northshore).
        • For more information about Retrouvaille visit their website:
  • Natural Family Planning:
      • Gayle Rizzo, Archdiocese of New Orleans
        7887 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125-3496
        (504) 861-6243  
      • Natural Family Planning is (1) learning how to observe and record certain natural symptoms and bodily changes that occur in a woman's fertility cycle; and (2) using this information as a guide to identify fertile and infertile phases in the menstrual cycle.  This method is natural, safe, highly effective, in accord with Church teaching, and gives the couple greater opportunity for shared responsibility and decision-making in achieving or avoiding a pregnancy.
      • Time: The course consists of four-evening sessions with a six-month follow-up period. Daytime classes are also offered. Individual instruction may be arranged through private instructor. Call for information.
      • Additional Resources:

        Woman’s New Life Center

        3017 N. Causeway Blvd. Suite 100

        Metairie, LA 70002

        504.831.3117

  • Fertility Issues:

Great books, videos, and audio work on Faith & Marriage:

Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love - Practical Insights from John Paul II's Love & Responsibility - By Edward Sri

Men & Women are from Eden - A Study Guide to John Paul II's Theology of the Body - by Mary Healy

Christopher West:

  1. Good News about sex and marriage: Answers to your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching; Servant Publications Ann Arbor, Michigan
  2. Theology of the Body for Beginners; Ascension Press
  3. The Love That Satisfies; Ascension Press
  4. The Theology of the Body Explained, Pauline

    Go to www.christopherwest.com for great DVDs, Tapes, and CDs from Christopher West

    1. An Introduction to Theology of the Body: A Four Part Series for Adult Faith Formation (2DVD) Ascension Press
    2. Created and Redeemed: (DVD) and (Study Guide)
    3. Good News About Sex and Marriage (5CD) and (Study Guide)
    4. Freedom to Love: (4 CD) and (Workbook)
    5. Purity in an Impure Age - Discovering God's Glorious Plan for Sexuality (DVD)
    6. Winning the Battle for Sexual Purity (3CD)
    7. God, Sex and the Meaning of Life (2CDs)
    8. Proclaiming the Theology of the Body: A Seminar for Priests (4CD)

Other suggested work:

    Faith and Spirituality:

    Soul of the Apostolate - by Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard OCSO (TAN)

    Uniformity With God's Will - Saint Alphonsus de Ligouri (TAN)

    Introduction to the Devout Life - Saint Francis de Sales (TAN)

    Rosary Meditations from Mother Teresa of Calcutta - V. Lucia, Published by Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament

    What Does God Want - by Fr. Michael Scanlan

    Catholic for a Reason (books I, II, III, IV), -By Dr. Scott Hahn and others.

    Life Giving Love –by Kimberly Hahn, Servant Publications Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Parenting:

    Christian Fatherhood – by Steve Wood, Family Life Publications

    Parenting With Grace: Catholic Parent's Guide to Raising Almost Perfect Kids

    The Catholic Family Handbook: Time-Tested Techniques to Help You Strengthen Your Marriage and Raise Good Kids

    Legacy – by Steve Wood, Family Life Publications

    Finances:

    7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free: A Catholic Guide to Managing Your Money

    Forgiveness:

    Helping Clients Forgive: An Empirical Guide for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope, - by Dr. Enright and Dr. Firzgibbons

    Communication:

    Five Love Languages: –by Dr. Gary Chapman, Northfield Publishing

    Guidance:

    What to look for in a Catholic Marriage Counselor: