Events for Young Couples

Couples Ministry

For young couples--married, dating or engaged!

10 Great Dates for Married Couples Progressive Dinner

Saturdays, January 14 and February 11, 2012

Married Couples are invited to our 10 Great Dates program held at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Aurora. Two great evenings to re-energize your marriage and support your faith! Get all the details by clicking here: www.olmercy.com/Faith/Adult/10GreatDates.pdf

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT: “The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted”

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Dr. Gary Chapman, the internationally-known author of The Five Love Languages as well as 29 other books on marriage, will be coming to the Joliet Diocese through the efforts of IMET (the inter-parish marriage enrichment team - a consortium of nine Dupage County parishes). The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted, will be offered on Saturday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Lisle. Sessions will address topics including communication differences; dealing with criticism; understanding love languages and making sex mutually fulfilling. Tips will be given on breaking unhealthy patterns and developing a God-honoring, happy marriage. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. For more information or to register, see www.imetevents.org.

Holy Thursday Midnight Pilgrimage with Bishop Conlon

Thursday, April 5, 2012

All young adults in college and in their 20s and 30s are invited to walk with “Christ in the Garden” through a late-night pilgrimage of seven churches around the Joliet area, immediately following the Mass of the Lord's Supper, celebrated by Bishop Conlon at the Cathedral. Motorcoach transportation will be provided. No cost or RSVP required. For more information, contact Paul Jarzembowski ((815-834-4047) or pjarzembowski@dioceseofjoliet.org. Time: 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper, 8:30 p.m. Pilgrimage Journey held at the Cathedral in Joliet.

Links

Diocese of Joliet Young Adult Ministry

Arch-Diocese of Chicago Young Adult Ministry

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Some Resources for Young Couples

	The Catholic Couples Bible (New American Bible translation, Fireside Press) is a must-have book for any and all engaged and married couples. This Bible features articles on issues such as commitment, in-laws, prayer life, finances, forgiveness, intimacy, communication, and trust, among other topics. For more about this edition of the Scriptures, log onto the Catholic Couples Bible website.

	Ten Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage (by David and Claudia Arp, Zondervan Press, 1997) is organized around ten dates that couples will experience to learn five basic skills and five advanced skills to revitalize their marriages. It is a fun way for individuals and small groups of young couples. Some area parishes also offer "10 Great Dates" seminars/sessions at their churches.

	The Five Love Languages: How to Express Hearfelt Commitment to Your Mate (by Gary Chapman, Northfield Publishing, 1995) looks at the way people communicate and how couples can better "understand" how to listen and express themselves. Even if there exists some unhappiness or complacency, this book helps us to look beyond regular conversation to real experiences of communication.

	As for Me & My House: Crafting Your Marriage to Last (by Walt Wangerin, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1987/1990 expanded ed.) walks with couples on a journey towards seeing their marriage as a gift that must be nurtured and cherished. This book can inspire couples to examine and understand themselves and view their own marriages with honesty and hope.

	Spirituality at Work: 10 Ways to Balance Your Life on the Job (by Gregory F. A. Pierce, Loyola Press, 2001) is a guide for any young adult working in the world today (regardless of a person's job, location, or tasks). In an enjoyable and easy-to-read way, author Gregory Pierce outlines ten practical ways to balance life and work, home and office, as well as our faith and our careers.

	The Suburban Christan: Finding Spiritual Vitality in the Land of Plenty (by Albert Y. Hsu, Intervarsity Press, 2006) is great for young couples living or working in the 'burbs. Even though we escape to the suburbs for community, we often find ourselves isolated, overwhelmed by consumerism and materialism. In his book, Hsu helps us find some Christian answers in the midst of suburbia.