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At the Service of communion
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The family is a kind of school of deeper humanity. But if it is to achieve the full flowering of its life and mission, it needs the kindly communion of minds and the joint deliberation of spouses, as well as the painstaking cooperation of parents in the education of their children.Gaudium et Spes, n. 52
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church identifies the Sacrarment of Matrimony as one of the sacraments "At the Service of Communion." Matrimony, and the vocation of marriage that it celebrates and commissions, is a graced occasion that marks the beginning of a new state in life for those who marry each other.
Just as a vocation to Holy Orders or religious life does not present itself as a "given" or an "assumption," the same holds true for married life. Successful marriages emerge from shared discernment between the couple, faithful preparation within the parish or mission community, and committed accompaniment after the celebration of Matrimony.
It is not uncommon for couples to think of marriage preparation as a "hoop to jump through." Rather than approaching this time of preparation and accompaniment as a requirement to meet, instead think of it as a time to cultivate depth in your relationship with your future spouse and your relationship with God. It is a time to identify why you desire to marry in the Church, what you love about future spouse, and realities that will challenge your relationship. This time of accompaniment also gives you a dedicated space to express to each other your dreams for each other and identify God's desires for you.
During your preparation and the accompaniment you receive in the Church after celebrating Matrimony, it can be helpful to ask these questions:- How can our relationship resemble the communion we celebrate as a Church?
- How can our relationship offer service to others?
- How are we different because of God's grace?
The Church is here to support you and your family during the entire life of your marriage!
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Natural Family Planning
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Resources for Use in Pastorates
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a resource for married couples to embrace the gift of the bodies God has given them as they live the vocation of married life. NFP helps couples plan the timing of their pregnancies in a way that upholds the teachings of the Catholic Church. Importantly, NFP involves the participation of both wife and husband in this important part of their shared vocation and commitment to each other.
Read More about Natural Family Planning
Many methods of Natural Family Planning exist. If you are preparing for marriage, please speak with those preparing you for marriage about whether your parish has a preferred method or instructor. Following are links to several resources, each of which contains an option for online instruction:
SymptoPro
Marquette Method
Sympto-Thermal Method
(Disponible en español)
Billings Ovulation Method
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Instructors
Are you an NFP instructor or training to be an instructor, and are you interested in serving in the Diocese of Cheyenne? If so, please complete the following form and Joe will contact you.
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