Ministry Leader Corner

Welcome! Our work never stops

Are you passionate about accompanying couples and parents as they learn ways to better form, reveal, enjoy, and protect their families?

Those interested in serving alongside the Family Life Ministry may find many options listed in this Ministry Leader Corner that provides training, volunteer, and collaboration opportunities:

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Theology of the Body for Parents - Beauty in the Chaos

Rediscover the meaning of life, love, dignity, contemporary examples in the context of today’s society impacting your children. Featuring Kathleen Cory, from Ruah Woods Institude, and specialty parenting sessions facilitated by the Office of Family Life.

Explore topics such as Human in the order of Creation, parents as Jesus’ disciples, techniques for having meaningful conversations with your children, and more.

Training Details:

Date: January 17th and 18th, 2025

Location: St. Jerome Catholic Community - Parish Hall

8825 Kempwood Dr. Houston, TX 77080

More information: Juan Tinajero, jtinajero@archgh.org, 713-741-8710

Marriage Preparation Minister Training

This 30-hour training program equips family life ministers and sponsor couples with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to successfully conduct a marriage preparation program at their home parish. This initiative follows the requirements established by Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Dell’Oro, by utilizing one of the programs recommended by the Archdiocesan Family Life Office, in this case, For Better and Forever.

More information: Citlalli Utrera, cutrera@archgh.org , 713 741 8776.

Restore Hope & Healing in Love

1/3 of Marriages Need Your Support - Join the Mission!

Do you feel called to help couples navigate challenges in their marriages?

In response to the challenges faced by one-third of married couples, the Family Life Office extends vital resources to parish communities, providing swift and accessible support for spouses in distressed marriages. Trained Ministers of Reencounter, inspired by Christian faith and love for God, actively assist couples facing relationship challenges, optimizing their peace and empowering them to approach difficulties with strength and love.

This opportunity invites adult men and women, clergy, or lay, to become Ministers of Reencounter, offering formative guidance rooted in Catholic teachings and emphasizing accompaniment in distressed marriages for a joyful and fruitful relationship within our Archdiocese.

Become a Trained Minister of Reencounter

The next chance to become a Minister of Reencounter is to attend our specialized training using SmartLoving’s BreakThrough program on Saturday, March 9, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at St. Dominic Chancery, 2403 Holcombe Blvd. (room 140). An online information session will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. for questions and to learn more about the program before the training. Details about this most important initiative and how to register follow.

SmartLoving’s BreakThrough Program

Three-part on-demand course for individual spouses in distressed marriages
Empowers participants with practical strategies to ease tension and love more effectively
Forgiveness dialogue helps recover interior peace and decide relationships from a position of love
A Minister of Reencounter accompanies an individual spouse through the course
Ideal for individuals in distressed marriages, separated or divorced spouses seeking insight, or those looking for support to rescue their marriage

Ministers of Reencounter Using BreakThrough

A trained Minister of Reencounter offers prayerful support and additional formation during the program
Beneficial for emotional processing, healing, and deepening the spirituality of communion
Participants meet with their Minister of Reencounter after each part for support, prayer, and guidance

Upcoming BreakThrough Training

Experience the program as a participant via the on-demand course or group training workshop
Receive online formation through webinars or a one-day intensive training workshop
SmartLoving Accompaniment Principles
Topic-by-topic meeting guidelines, analysis, and tips
Limits of this resource and referrals
Safeguarding, signposting, record-keeping, and practical matters

Next Steps

Register for the next BreakThrough Training (in English): Saturday, March 9, 2024, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at St. Dominic Chancery, 2403 Holcombe Blvd. (room 140).
Cost: $120 per participant (includes materials and food), with certificates provided.

Contact:

Andrea Aranda at the Family Life Office: Phone: (713) 741-8710 or email: aaranda@archgh.org

Ministry of Consolation Training

Do you feel called to practice the Work of Mercy of comforting the sad? Do you want to go out to meet Jesus in those who are suffering?

The Office of Family Life invites those who feel the call to be Ministers of Consolation to participate in the formation. You will learn to accompany people who are suffering the loss of loved ones, and you will receive tools and resources to start a Consolation group in your Parish.

Sessions will be at Cameron Retreat Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost of registration ($150) includes lunch and material. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible:

Prepare/Enrich Facilitators Training

This one-day program trains facilitators (couples and individuals) on how to provide the Prepare/ Enrich couple's assessment to those preparing for marriage.

Certificate in Family Life

In collaboration with the University of St. Thomas, this multi-dimensional program is taught at a master’s degree level for parish and ministry organizational leaders. The focus is providing solid theological and updated pastoral formation in professional ecclesial ministry.

If the Spirit is calling you to accompany families please contact us at: cfc@stthom.edu or visit www.stthom.edu/flc

Natural Family Planning (NFP) Instructors

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston supports the funding of NFP instructor certification programs and provides teaching assistance and networking opportunities. Programs are available in both English and Spanish.

Marriage Preparation Leading and Sponsor Couples

The Family Life Ministry provides extensive opportunities and ongoing support for those interested in serving engaged couples as they begin their preparation for marriage. Programs are offered in English and Spanish.

Joe’s Master Class

Deacon Ly Nguyen offers this free YouTube video series inspired by the spirituality of St. Joseph to accompany young men as they mature into full adulthood.

This formation series provides profound guidance for obtaining fully conscious and active participation in the Mass.

For questions about integrating this program into your formation curriculum, please contact Ricardo Media at 713-741-8709 or rmedina@archgh.org

Other Opportunities

We have a very active Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation program that never stops. At this moment we have 8 different options available in English and Spanish and some of them are actively looking for expanding their teams. The archdiocese provides general orientation for selecting your ministry, networking opportunities, ongoing formation, access to retreat centers, and logistic support for celebrating your events.

If you are interested in collaborating on the formation of new families with the profound and beautiful spirituality we have at the Catholic Church please contact our director, Ricardo Medina at 713-741-8709.

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