Mission Statement The mission of the Office of Marriage & Family is to assist families in living a Christ-centered life in accord with Catholic Church teaching on human sexuality, marriage and responsible parenthood. Our programs promote growth throughout the different stages of life, fostering the dignity of the human person from conception to a natural death. We are dedicated to proclaiming the presence of Jesus Christ in our families and our daily lives.

~OMF Corner~ NEW! "HANNAH'S HOPE" - A Support Group for Infertility One in seven married couples experiences infertility - you are not alone. We invite you to join us on the second Thursday of each month at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud as we share our stories, support each other in prayer, and share resources following Catholic teaching for infertility treatment. Questions? Call Laura at (612) 616-0712 or email HannahsHopeMN@gmail.com. The next meeting is on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Novena For Life - January 11-20 Click here for details and to download a PDF brochure. Vespers for Life - January 18 - 4:00 p.m. - St. Anthony's Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Click here for details. Encourage Meeting -January 19 - 6:30 p.m. - Call our office for location. A Mass of Hope and Healing - January 21 - 6:30 p.m. - St. Mary’s Cathedral. Click here for details. March for Life - January 22 Join us on the bus to St. Paul to participate in the March for Life commemorating the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. It leaves from the Pastoral Center parking lot at 8:00 a.m. and will return at approximately 3:00 p.m. There is no charge to take the bus, but a free will offering will be accepted. The Daily Dozen of Catholic Parenting - presented by Jim & Maureen Otremba February 2, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., St. Anthony's Church in St. Cloud Part 1 of 4 in our Parenting series, subsequent talks will be on the first Monday of each month, March through May. The events are free. Click here for details. Fireproof - February 14, 7:00 p.m. - Great Valentine's Day "Date Night!" Sacred Heart Church in Sauk Rapids will be showing the movie Fireproof. Refreshments will be provided afterwards. Click here for details. Marriage Moments (week of 1-5-09) The feast of the Epiphany celebrates the three wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. Why not be wise and bring your spouse three compliments on Jan. 6. Consider your beloved's physical appearance, a unique talent, and an act of kindness. (Tips courtesy of Susan Vogt) See For Your Marriage for additional resources.   Parenting Pointers (week of 1-9-09) It's bowl season. Rather than just watching bowl games why not do something more active. Have a family bowling party. Kids too young for real bowling can have a ball with bubbles or clay. (Tips courtesy of Susan Vogt) Legislative Action - See the latest Action Alerts from the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA). Check back often as things can change quickly!       Below are audio portions from the Military Advocacy Training held July 12 in St. Cloud. Linda Ritchie, who is actively involved in the Befrienders Ministry, offers advice and tips on listening and advocacy skills. Click here to listen Time: 20:25 Mike Mynczywor, LICSW from the St. Cloud VA Medical Center provides referral information for returning military regarding their health care and dental needs. Click here to listen Time: 32:45 Yolanda Von Itter, Family Assistance Coordinator with the Family Assistance Center at Camp Ripley. The National Guards role in keeping in contact with families through deployment and reintegration. Click here to listen Time: 7:25 Below is an audio portion from Diocesan Ministry Day held Oct. 1, 2007 in St. Cloud. Gail Mossman, MN National Guard State Youth Coordinator. She represents the MN National Guard as a State Partner in the MN Operation: Military Kids program. Click here to listen Time: 1:02:38 NB:Large file   Military Support Many men and women from central Minnesota are members of the United States military and are serving both in the United States and overseas. Some of these brave men and women will be returning home this summer. About the same time, others will be deployed, maybe for the second time. How does the Church and parish reach out to families while their loved-one is deployed? What are the soldiers and families needs during this time of separation? How does the parish community welcome the soldier home and assist the family through the subsequent months as they reintegrate? To assist military families, an advocacy program is being initiated. An advocate is a person or persons in each parish who can coordinate the needs of the soldiers and families from their parish. Click here for more details. PRAYERS for those serving in our military. click here         Partially funded by the Annual Diocesan Appeal, we will continue our work of strengthening families, promoting the dignity of each person and proclaiming Christ to the world. "You have a mission to fulfill, a mission of love which must begin in your homes, in the place where you are, with the people you are closest to; and only then spread out." -- Mother Theresa of Calcutta The Office of Marriage & Family is a member of the National Association for Catholic Family Life Ministers (NACFLM). NACFLM is a growing association of professional ministers within the Catholic Church who work with, for and beside families. Visit their website at: www.nacflm.org About Us   Our History