Diocese rolls out marriage education, enrichment plan ahead of amendment vote

The Visitor

As Minnesotans prepare to vote this fall on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman, the Diocese of St. Cloud will offer a series of educational and marriage enrichment initiatives in the coming months in support of the measure.

Among the highlights:

* Parishes are receiving packages of information that include bulletin announcements, prayer suggestions, homily notes and marriage enrichment ideas.

* A public presentation is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 17 at St. Mary, Help of Christians Parish in St. Augusta to discuss the amendment from a Catholic perspective. Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, will be one of the speakers.

* A second collection will be taken up at all Masses on the weekend of April 21-22 to support amendment efforts.

* Lesson plans for youth in grades seven through 12 enrolled in Catholic schools and religious education programs have been developed on the topic, “What Marriage Is.”

“Much like we took the opportunity of the release of the new Roman Missal to come to a deeper understanding about the liturgy, this is an occasion to understand marriage better and help strengthen something that is very dear to us as Catholics,” said Chris Codden, director of the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family.

“We’re taking a broad approach for the context of our discussion on the marriage amendment,” she said. “Our goal is to build up the institution of marriage that’s been around forever, while showing respect and love for those who might disagree with us.”

While same-sex marriage is currently prohibited by state law, the church and other supporters of the marriage amendment say it is necessary to prevent the legal definition of marriage from be changed by legislative actions or court rulings as it has been in other states. 

Multimedia approach

Bishop John Kinney is using his column in this issue of The Visitor to promote the church’s teaching on marriage and support the amendment effort.

“Preserving and strengthening marriage profoundly impacts married couples and families now and into the future, and it is also an investment in the common good of our lives together in society,” he writes in his “A Shepherd’s Care” column.

“The constitutional amendment seeks only to promote, protect and preserve the definition of marriage, joining the citizens of 31 other states who have already done so in response to proposals to change what marriage means for us all,” he said.

“We realize students will be hearing ads on all sorts of things in the fall,” Codden said. “We want them to have the Catholic perspective on things.”

Coming up

Several additional efforts are planned for this month:

• Pastors and diocesan and parish leaders will gather Feb. 14 in Freeport for a continuing education day focused on the amendment. The day will include an overview of statewide efforts regarding the initiative and give participants legal and parental perspectives on the issue.

• Codden said her office is encouraging parish groups to study the U.S. bishops 2009 pastoral letter “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan” during the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22. The letter and an accompanying study guide are available her office’s web page.

• The Office of Marriage and Family will be relying on others — including the Knights of Columbus, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and Marriage Encounter groups — to assist parishes with marriage enrichment opportunities for World Marriage Day, Feb. 12, and through the spring and fall, Codden said.

The diocese is also promoting Courage, a spiritual support group for men and women with same-sex attraction, and EnCourage for family members and friends.

Father Thomas Knoblach, who is working with the Office of Marriage and Family on the amendment effort, said the diocese is aiming to take a positive approach on the issue and trying to educate people in a non-confrontative manner. 

He and Codden hope the efforts will pay off when it comes time for Minnesotans to cast their ballots on Nov. 6. 

“We’re taking a holistic approach when it comes to talking about marriage and the marriage amendment, and it’s compelling message,” Codden said.

Prayer for Marriage Diocese of St. Cloud

Gracious God,

source of love and life:

we ask you to send the Holy Spirit

to enlighten the minds and hearts of all people

to treasure the gift of marriage.

From the beginning of the human family,

marriage has revealed your faithful,

enduring, and life-giving love.

Bless each man and woman you call to this vocation

as husband and wife, united in body and spirit

to cooperate in your plan

to bring forth new life made in your image

and cherished in your love.

Teach us how to advocate

for the dignity and beauty of marriage

with courage, charity, and respect.

Bless the life and witness of each married couple,

the foundation of family and society now

and into all future generations.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.