The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 9) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. This year’s theme is “Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!”
Observed annually by dioceses and parishes throughout the country since 2010, the week is an opportunity for married couples to focus on their relationships within the wider call to build a culture of life and love. In the Diocese of Trenton, parishes will mark the occasion with special prayers and blessings during the Sunday liturgy, as well as by hosting a variety of marriage-building activities. “Encouraging Catholic Weddings,” an additional diocesan initiative, will highlight the beauty of Catholic marriage for engaged couples and their families.
A workshop for all married couples on “Go for the Gold – 7 Skills for Winning at Marriage” will be held Feb. 22 from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. in St. James Parish Center, 115 East Delaware Ave., Pennington. Presenter will be Coleen Kelly Mast, M.S. Life Coach, national speaker and radio talk show host on EWTN’s “Mast Appeal.” The workshop is free and babysitting is available upon request. After the workshop, all are welcome to attend the 5 p.m. Mass where couples can receive a marriage blessing. For registration information, click here.
Other events are in planning stages. For more information and resources in the Diocese, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/building-strong-marriages. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has additional information at usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/national-marriage-week. National and global resources are available at foryourmarriage.org and wwme.org/community/sponsored-events/world-marriage-day/.