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Small Group Discussion
 Group 1Archdiocese of New York: Diocese of Phoenix - Diocesan-wide celebrations—all years
- Does PreCana work?
- Wellness
- No catechists
- Archdiocese of Chicago
- Need more support from pastors for recognition of marriages.
- Suggest marriage advocate
- Seeking Black marriages
- Diocese of Lansing
- Emphasis on diocesan recognition
- To approve parish recognition
- Support during transition periods
- Transitional periods-problems
- Birth of a child, etc.
- Substance abuse
- Teenagers
- Empty nest / Menopause
- Archdiocese of Washington, DC
- Need better follow up on married couples.
- Andrea Hughes has started a Black Family Life ministry that is Catholic, independent, privately funded, yet coordinated with our Office of Family Life in the Archdiocese of Washington.
- She has formed an ecumenical Metro DC (MD, VA) chapter of Dr. Michael McManus’ "Marriage Savers" (a national ecumenical program out of Colorado Springs, CO.) that is all Black and has an Africentric focus.
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Call Msgr. Ray East, Office of Black Catholics.
- No catechists
- East—Cross-communication
- National support program needed
- Initiative for viability
- Needs to be put into a model that is good for us.
Group 2 - Resources
- Marriage Ministry for the diocese
- Church leadership
- Partnering/collaboration with other community resources
- Should begin in the beginning . . . (womb to tomb)
- Economic/scholarships
Group 3 - African-American PreCana
- Couples commit to the Church
- Mentoring/support system for couples
- Couples being role models
- Families participating in ministries together
Resources Together For Life (a book) Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver Pastor National Initiatives Materials and resources to make available to all churches More support from the Church (Bishop Perry)
Group 4 - Establish a group ministry
- Visible display of marriage relationships
- Print in church bulletins to share with the parish community
- Celebrations during regular liturgies
- There needs to be more preaching concerning marriage.
- Introduce the engaged couples to the congregation
- Regular renewal of marriage vows
- Form a family ministry in the parish
- Establish web sites as resources
Group 5 Parish Respect Need to begin ministry to marriages, especially young marriages. Marriage enrichment retreats Models for marriage Ages/stages based support group Celebrate marriage Affirmations of marriage From the pulpit, especially Need to hear "pray for the vocation of marriage"
Group 6 - Recognition/awareness/support/funding/spiritual/mentors
- Marriage Encounter
- Marriage Enrichment
- FOCCUS (Premarital Inventory)
- Priest
- Deacon
- Lay couples
- Include in NBCC sessions
- Make it a Black Catholic Ministry Initiative
Group 7 - Bring marriage to the forefront in the Church by allowing/encouraging married couples to:
- Be a recognized witness
- Teach balance to encourage personal growth
- Offer ongoing enrichment
- Celebrate/recognize anniversaries
- Marriage preparation classes
- Marriage Encounter
- Add marriage to the NBCC agenda
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