Marriage programs celebrate sacrament

In her new position as coordinator of marriage ministries at the Albany diocesan Family Life Office, Mary Fay plans to be very busy.

The parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie brings 15 years of experience in marriage prep, pre-Cana classes and couple-mentoring to her new job.

"It's important to get couples to understand that marriage is a life-long journey," she said. "It's also a sacrament, and the grace from this sacrament abounds."

Experience

Mrs. Fay became excited about marriage ministry when she and her husband, Brian, were planning their wedding 20 years ago.

"We were part of an amazing pre-Cana program at our parish," she explained. "The enriching experience we had stayed with us. I couldn't wait to get involved with engaged couples so that we could share our wonderful experience with them. We both felt it was a vital tool for a successful Catholic marriage."

The couple's first effort was as a mentoring couple, which they continue to do in Valatie.

"Mentoring couples share a wonderful journey with engaged couples," Mrs. Fay said. "They give engaged couples a place to make a connection with another couple who are willing to share the sacramentality of their own marriage."

Pre-Cana work

As part of her new job, Mrs. Fay will facilitate three pre-Cana programs:

* Pre-Cana I, for couples entering their first marriage, covers such topics as sacrament/spirituality, sex/intimacy, communications/conflict, finances and children.

* Pre-Cana II, a two-day program for couples where one or both have been married before, offers sessions on intimacy and blended families.

* Pre-Cana III, a weekend retreat, addresses concerns of all couples, including older couples, couples that have been married before, interfaith or intercultural relationships where there already is a child, and couples who are living together.

Enrichment

Mrs. Fay also hopes to initiate marriage enrichment programs on the parish level.

"They would be programs that celebrate the sacrament of marriage and family life," she noted. "They offer the parish as a central place where married couples can share and celebrate being married. They might involve entertainment and discussion nights, and cover such subjects as communication between parents and teens, parenting in general and even 'date nights' for couples to celebrate their marriage.

"Families are so busy nowadays. It is important that couples take the time out to nurture their relationship and recognize that their marriage is sacred."

(For more information about the marriage programs, call 453-6677.)

(10/19/06) [[In-content Ad]]