Marriage & Family Life Office
Marriage & Family Life Office
The mission of the Marriage and Family Life Office is to serve as a resource center for our parishes to address marriage and family life ministry. The role includes listening and advocating for marriage and family needs, training, equipping and raising awareness; receiving and directing enquiries, providing information, advice and resources; and organizing events.
Marriage & Family Life Office Resources
Bereavement and Grief Ministry
Bereavement and Grief Ministry
Bereavement Counseling Referrals
Call the Marriage and Family Life Office
Elizabeth Ministry
Elizabeth Ministry is an international movement designed to offer hope and healing on issues related to childbearing, sexuality, and relationships. They address miscarriage and child loss.
The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents
The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents serves the spiritual needs of parents whose children of any age have died by any cause. As Jesus joined his distraught disciples on the road to Emmaus, we ask him to join each of us in this ministry as we struggle through this horrendous journey of grief every day.
Good Mourning Ministries
https://www.goodmourningministry.net/
Prayerful, practical and personal grief support. A Catholic bereavement apostolate since 2011.
St. Paul’s Catholic Church Nampa
Grief Ministry
Contact: Terry Burnett
Christian Friends in Recovery
THE 12 STEP REVIEW is a publication of the Western Dominican Province, a nonprofit organization of the Dominican Fathers and Brothers, and is edited by Fr. Emmerich Vogt, O.P. It is published four times a year through your donations.
Life Giving Wounds
www.lifegivingwounds.org
Life Giving Wounds’ mission is to help young adults and adults with divorced and separated parents give voice to their pain and find deep spiritual healing. They do this by providing unique means for Christ to transform their life-draining wounds into life-giving resources of faith, hope, love, and joy for themselves, their relationships, and the Church. They also seek to help them make and sustain a life-long gift of love in either the vocation of marriage or consecrated life.
NAMI-Boise
NAMI is a diverse organization transforming the community so that people living with mental illness and their families are empowered to achieve their full potential and are an integral part of the community.
Couple and Family Formation
Couple and Family Formation
Couples for Christ (CFC) USA
CFC USA Website: http://couplesforchristusa.org/
Global CFC Website: https://couplesforchristglobal.org/
CFC is a movement intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. The members have committed themselves to the Lord and to one another so that they may grow in maturity as men and women of God and fulfill their primary vocation of raising up families under the lordship of Jesus Christ and for the service of the Kingdom of God.
To learn more about Couples for Christ in the Diocese of Boise, please contact
Mr. Robin Mitra at rob2906@yahoo.com or call 208-995-9024.
Teams of our Lady
Teams of our Lady is movement of "Married Spirituality" which brings together Christian couples united by the Sacrament of Marriage; and who wish, together, to deepen the graces of their Sacrament of Marriage.
Idaho Contact for Teams of our Lady
Yesenia Ineck
Witness to Love Witness (WTL)
WTL provides local churches with the tools to transform existing programs of marriage preparation into wellsprings of dynamic marriage discipleship that foster both parish connection and nurture authentic accompaniment before and after the wedding day.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME)
WWME is a weekend for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend and learn the tools needed to keep your marriage strong.
Defense of Marriage
Defense of Marriage
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org
Marriage: Unique for a Reason offers resources to assist with the education and catechesis of Catholics on why marriage is unique and why it should be promoted and protected as the union of one man and one woman. Each of the videos in this initiative, with its companion written material, is intended to be used by a priest, deacon, catechist, or teacher.
Book Resource:
Getting the Marriage Conversation Right: A Guide for Effective Dialogue
Marriage is the only institution that unites children with their moms and dads and has been recognized by every culture, society, and religion, each according to their own competencies. Getting the Marriage Conversation Right shows how to get that interest recognized in laws, societal institutions, and individuals, and begin to rebuild a marriage culture.
Getting the Marriage Conversation Right: A Guide for Effective Dialogue teaches you how to promote and defend traditional marriage in non-religious terms. It’s a great how-to guide for answering those tough questions you’ve struggled with.
Author William B. May brings into the discussion of the legal definition of marriage the rights of children and provides sensible guidelines on how to avoid common traps that hinder communication. Getting the Marriage Conversation Right includes a substantial section of FAQs at the heart of the conflict.
Human Sexuality and Identity
Human Sexuality and Identity
Courage
Courage is an apostolate working with individuals dealing with same-sex attraction and offers a spiritual support system to assist men and women to live chaste lives.
Courage—Idaho Group
E-mail: courageidaho@rcdb.org
Confidentiality assured.
Gender Identity
Church documents:
Male and Female He Created Them: Towards a Path of Dialogue on the question of gender theory in education
www.educatio.va/content/dam/cec/Documenti/19_0997_INGLESE.pdf
Gender Theory/Identity—Select Teaching Resource from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC)
The NCBC established in 1972, conducts research, consultation, publishing and education to promote human dignity in health care and the life sciences, and derives its message directly from the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Person and Identity Project
https://personandidentity.com/
The mission of the Person and Identity Project (PIP) is to assist the Catholic Church in promoting the Catholic vision of the human person and responding to the challenges of gender ideology.
Liaison with Marriage & Family Life Apostolates
Liaison with Marriage & Family Life Apostolates
The Marriage and Family Life Office works with organizations and apostolates dedicated to marriage and family life ministries.
If you are a Catholic organization dedicated to marriage and family life ministries, please contact us.
Marriage Enrichment
Marriage Enrichment
The Alexander House
thealexanderhouse.org
The Alexander House Center for Enrichment and Healing is just that, a place for enrichment and healing. Here you will find classes that will educate and equip you with what you need to be a man, woman, and couple of Christ. You will also find the appropriate service to allow you to find healing for your marriage in the capacity in which you need it.
Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage
www.augustineinstitute.org/formed/beloved
In 12 sessions, Beloved explores the true meaning of Marriage and how to live it out together. Here you’ll discover the deepest spiritual, emotional and practical realities of Marriage through Scripture, Tradition and Church Teaching. You’ll see first-hand how to experience the wonder, mystery and joy of this Sacrament – from that first “I do” through the rest of your lives.
The Choice Wine
A marriage enrichment program of Paradisus Dei, an independent lay ministry dedicated to marriage and family life.
Institute for Marital Healing
The mission of the Institute for Marital Healing is to strengthen Catholic marriages and families by educating spouses, marital therapists and clergy about common causes of conflicts in marital self-giving and effective approaches to alleviating such conflicts. Through a combination of online resources, educational programs and publications, the Institute employs a time-tested approach to marital therapy that recognizes the importance of both science and faith in the process of marital healing.
Marriage Dynamics Institute
Our mission is to provide marriage workshops and courses that build safe environments, promote self-education, and produce extraordinary results. Our classes and workshops are developed by a unique group of talented professionals, therapists, marriage counselors, and ministers representing many different denominations, parts of the country, cultures and life experiences.
Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i)
Retrouvaille helps couples experiencing marital difficulty at all levels of distress including disillusionment and deep misery. The program is designed to provide the tools to help get marriages back on track. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationship or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program.
Southern Idaho Contacts:
Paul and Barbie Bentley
retrouvailleboise@gmail.com
(208) 340-5338
Northern Idaho Contacts:
Steve and Laura Droke
(509) 520-4118
INW@retrouvaille.org
For more information visit Retrouvaille’s web site at www.helpourmarriage.com or ayudanuestromatrimonio.org or for confidential information call 1-800-470-2230 English or 1-800-966-7981 Spanish.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
www.foryourmarriage.org/the-vocation-of-marriage
Website of the U.S. Catholic Bishops to promote the vocation of marriage.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend and learn the tools needed to keep your marriage strong.
Idaho and Eastern Oregon Area Coordinators:
Kevin & Barb Acker
Hispanic Idaho Coordinators:
Rosa and Alfredo Morales
Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation
A Letter from Bishop Peter Christensen to Engaged Couples
Congratulations on being called to the sacrament of marriage! Marriage is the center of Catholic family life and the vocation through which most people live out their baptismal commitment. I rejoice with you as you approach the sacrament of marriage and wish to support you in living your married life to the fullest.
Cultural influences today can work against a personal commitment and development for a healthy marriage and a lifetime commitment. The Catholic Church wants to work with you to succeed with your vocation to marriage and offer you the resources which you can use to build a solid foundation for your marriage.
The cornerstones of the preparation process include meetings with clergy, attending a parish-based marriage preparation program, or a couples’ retreat like Catholic Engaged Encounter. You will also use an assessment tool to assess your strengths and areas for growth, both as individuals and as a couple. I strongly encourage you to develop a prayer life together as a couple. Most importantly through this process, you will discover that Catholic marriage is about making a total gift of yourself to your spouse. Through the sacramental covenant of marriage, you are no longer two but one flesh (Mt 19:6).
As your bishop, I urge you to make the most of the marriage preparation process. It is true to say that you will get out of it what you put into it. Please enter the process with open hearts and minds to God’s grace so that you might fully embrace the wonderful gifts and challenges of this state of life. Again, congratulations as you prepare for this life-long journey of grace.
Sincerely in Christ,
Marriage Regulations for the Diocese of Boise
Marriage Regulations for the Diocese of Boise—English
Marriage Regulations for the Diocese of Boise—Spanish
Couples Guide for Marriage Preparation for the Diocese of Boise
Preparing for Marriage in the Diocese of Boise Couples Guide—English
*Preparing for Marriage in the Diocese of Boise Couples Guide—Spanish
Basic Steps for Marriage Preparation in the Diocese of Boise:
-
Consult with your parish clergy or other minister a minimum of 4 months in advance of your intended date of marriage.
-
Attend a Marriage Preparation Program
-
Complete a Pre-Marital Inventory Tool
-
Provide Necessary documents to include: baptismal certificates, testimony of freedom, parental consent (as needed), and evidence of preparation
-
Obtain any necessary permissions or dispensations
-
Prepare spiritually and practically for the Vocation of Marriage
Catholic Engaged Encounter (weekend retreat)
Lewiston Catholic Engaged Encounter
www.ceelewiston.org
www.engagedencounter.org
Email: leaders@ceelewiston.org or registration@ceelewiston.org
Call: 208-962-2372
Treasure Valley Catholic Engaged Encounter
www.ceeboise.org
Russ and Rena VanPaepeghem
Email: Russvanp@msn.com or localcoordinators@gmail.com
Call: 208-939-5216
Online Marriage Preparation
CatholicMarriagePrep
CatholicMarriagePrep.com invites couples to a deeper relationship with each other and with Christ. Online, on-demand instruction rooted in Saint John Paul II's Theology of the Body, combined with personalized mentoring from a trained married couple, builds a foundation for a strong, healthy, Christ-centered marriage between a man and a woman. Available in English and Spanish.
Living Our Faith in Love (The Marriage Group)
https://themarriagegroup.com/courses/living-our-faith-in-love/
https://cursoscatolica.advancedministries.com/lista-de-cursos/
Our courses are trusted by Catholic parishes and dioceses around the world. Each month, hundreds of couples rely on the most comprehensive, convenient, and popular online programs to meet the requirements for marriage preparation in the Catholic Church.
Joy-Filled Marriage
www.ascensionpress.com/collections/joy-filled-marriage
Parishes need flexibility now more than ever. With our all-digital course or physical materials with included online access options, parishes can concentrate on the pastoral connection with couples.
Using the Joy-Filled Marriage program, couples will be presented with the truth and beauty of the sacramentality of marriage along with the life skills needed to live a joy-filled marriage.
Mentor Couple Model of Marriage Prep
Witness to Love
www.witnesstolove.org/mentor-couples.html
Witness to Love provides local churches with the tools to transform existing programs of marriage preparation into wellsprings of dynamic marriage discipleship that foster both parish connection and nurture authentic accompaniment before and after the wedding day.
Pre-Marriage Inventories
FOCCUS, Inc. USA
FOCCUS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building, promoting and enhancing healthy relationships by offering resources and training that "Facilitate Open, Caring Communication, Understanding and Study." FOCCUS, Inc. USA offers materials that are research-based, affordable, and user-friendly for both professionals and trained lay volunteers.
Fully Engaged
Fully Engaged is a Catholic catechetical premarital inventory designed to help engaged couples solidify the foundation upon which they, together with Christ, will build their Sacrament of Marriage. Grounded in Church teaching and loaded with catechetical content, this dynamic premarital inventory is a trustworthy guide that meets the real challenges today’s couples face.
PREPARE/ENRICH
Prepare/Enrich is the leading relationship inventory and skill-building program used nationally and internationally. It is built on a solid research foundation and significantly improves a couple's relationship. PREPARE/ENRICH is custom tailored to a couple's relationship and provides couple exercises to build their relationship skills.
Parish-Based Marriage Preparation Renewal
Contact the Marriage and Family Life Office to consult about your current parish-based marriage preparation program. The Office can work with you on updates and training your parish marriage preparation team.
Email: jwonacott@rcdb.org
Office Phone: 208-350-7535
Men's & Women's Ministry
Men's & Women's Ministry
MEN
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers—known around the world as the “Dynamic Deacon”—is one of the most sought after speakers in the Church today. He is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher whose no-nonsense approach to living and proclaiming the Catholic faith is sure to challenge and inspire those who hear him.
Idaho Catholic Men
www.idahocatholicmen.org
Join hundreds of men from around the state of Idaho for a one-day Catholic Men’s Conference featuring inspiring speakers, and powerful opportunities to encounter Christ.
Into the Breach
Diocese of Phoenix’s short film and pastoral exhortation to Catholic men.
That Man is You (TMIY)
www.paradisusdei.org/index.php/programs/tmiy
That Man is You honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. The program harmonizes current social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man fully alive!
The Knights of Columbus
Fostering men united in a faith that will continue the growth of Fr. McGivney’s dream ensuring the spread of Columbianism; becoming more visible through the good works of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity; creating an atmosphere which encourages and calls all Catholic men to serve with their Brothers.
WOMEN
Blessed is She
Blessed is She is a sisterhood of women who want to grow together in their Catholic faith.
We create beautiful and accessible resources, products, and experiences to foster community and deepen faith, both online and in person.
Elizabeth Ministry
Elizabeth Ministry is an international movement designed to offer hope and healing on issues related to childbearing, sexuality, and relationships.
Endow
Endow is an educational apostolate that writes study guides for small groups of women that makes the rich wisdom of the Church accessible to the “woman in the pew.” By offering background information, definitions of theological terms, historical context, quotes from Scripture and the Catechism, insights from scholars and saints, and thought provoking questions for group discussion, an Endow study makes some of the most profound documents of the Church and writings of her saints accessible to teens and women alike.
Idaho Catholic Women
Join hundreds of women from around the state of Idaho for a one-day Catholic Women's Conference featuring inspiring speakers, and powerful opportunities to encounter Christ.
Idaho Council of Catholic Women
ICCW is the Idaho-based, statewide affiliate of the National Council of Catholic Women. We provide a number of services and trainings to CCW parish councils throughout the state.
National Council of Catholic Women
The National Council of Catholic Women acts through its members to support, empower, and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership, and service. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world.
Women in the New Evangelization
WINE is a Catholic Women's Ministry that brings women together to encourage & educate them in their Catholic faith and in their vocation as women. WINE unites the evangelization & formation efforts of leaders of existing women’s groups and leaders of parish women’s ministries.
Women of Grace
The mission of Women of Grace is to transform the world one woman at a time by affirming women in their dignity and vocation as daughters of God and in their gift of authentic femininity™ through ongoing spiritual formation. Exploring all aspects of the "feminine genius," Women of Grace® promotes the dignity of woman, the gift of true womanhood, woman's fundamental call and mission in the world, and presents the Blessed Virgin Mary as the exemplar of all women.
Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning courses teach married and engaged couples the scientific sympto-thermal method of fertility awareness. NFP calls for shared responsibility by husband and wife, eliminates the use of harmful hormones and chemicals, can be used by women with irregular or painful cycles (and often improves them), and helps couples celebrate God's vision of human sexuality. Through NFP, fertility is viewed as a reality to live, not a problem to be solved. It is over 99% effective at postponing pregnancy and has greater success than other interventions at helping couples struggling with infertility. Couples regularly report a rediscovery of God's plan for married love and a strengthening of their faith.
The Couple to Couple League (CCL)
This CCL website is dedicated to describing the physical and spiritual benefits of Natural Family Planning.
Local CCL Courses
The next Natural Family Planning (NFP) instruction series in 2022 is March 20, 2022. Deadline to register was January 20, 2022. For information, contact Erika Cowman at Erika_stelljes@hotmail.com.
This class is open to any engaged or married couple preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony, or any other couple that may benefit. It is much easier for couples to learn the rules of NFP and how to charge data BEFORE they are married, so this is the prime series for couples planning to marry.
Please register here: https://ccli.powerappsportals.com/en-US/classdetails/classregistration/?classid=7b5e8b09-c07c-eb11-8ced-00155d466f64
Instructors are trained volunteer teachers. All costs go to print and digital materials the couple will need. If cost poses a hardship for any couple, please c