Ministry

A marriage ministry that

enriches marriage, evangelizes families,

and builds parish community

 in today’s society

Ministry Vision

All marriages will become a sign of Christ’s love through their faith community and the Sacrament of Marriage.

A Ministry That Goes a Step Further

A marriage ministry that enriches marriages and families, builds community, and also develops lay leadership. Can all of this happen in one ministry? It not only does, but also goes beyond, and develops inter-church and inter-faith cooperation. The ministry in question is the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Marriage Enrichment Programs. It is one of a number of movements with the name marriage enrichment, but it has its own unique dynamic that is based on marriage-formation processes that span life’s journey.

This ministry is based on the belief that enriching marriage will enhance the couple relationship, improve family life, and build community. This is accomplished through a process that places God at the center of marriage, provides mutual support, and develops leadership.

THE Marriage Enrichment Journey ® - SIX PROGRAMS

1. Marriage Enrichment Weekend (Weekend)
   Weekend enrichment program for married and engaged couples 
2. Marriage Enrichment Experience (Experience)
    Friday evening & Saturday couples enrichment program
3. Married-Couple Retreat (Retreat)
   One-day or three-evening couples enrichment program
4. Celebrations of Marriage (Celebrations)
   One evening per month program present at church or in homes.
5. Engaged-Couple Enrichment (Engaged)
   Marriage preparation program
6. Youth Dating and Healthy Relationships (Youth)
   Youth education program

ENGLISH AND SPANISH

• All ministry and program publications are in English.
• The Weekend, Experience, Retreat, and Youth programs as well as Personal Journals and Prayer Rituals are also in Spanish.

GOALS AND TENETS

1. Enrich marriages through sharing of experiences and through reflection.

• Share real-life experiences.
• Peer ministry.
• Solutions to challenges are within us.
• We are not alone, and change is okay.

2. Provide mutual support.

• We are all teachers, and we are all learners.
• In giving, we receive.

3. Develop concept of couples growing in the marriage vocation by including God.

• It takes three to make a marriage: man, woman and God.
• God becomes a living part of every aspect of marriage.

4. Provide a real-life, down-to-earth program.

• Spirituality becomes a living part of every aspect of marriage.
• Accepts couples where they are now, and builds from there.
• To be a meaningful and real experience the program must come (evolve) from those who are married.

5. Introduce youth to the concept of marriage as a vocation.

• Keep an eye to the future.

6. Help engaged couples learn about marriage through sharing with married couples.

• Couples share their marriages with each other.

7. Provide support for engaged couples through a sponsor program.

• Everyone has something to share.

8. Involve couples in the Program.

• Leadership resides in everyone.
• Develop the leadership talents of each person.
• Husband and wife in ministry together.

9. Provide a follow-up program for continued growth.

• Make happy marriages happier and more fulfilled.
• Continuous improvement.

10. Provide parish/congregation based programs.

• Available to all married and engaged couples as well as youth learning about, preparing for, and/or living the Sacrament of Marriage.
• No one will be turned away because of inability to contribute financially.

11. Promote the growth of the Program.

• Enhance the famil, parish community, and society.

12. Promote unity-of-purpose through servant-leadership.

• Laity, clergy and religious work together.
• Value diversity.

13. Extend the program.

• Inter-church and interfaith dimension.
• Share God's love with the community.
• Oneness with God.

This ministry is not intended to take the place of professional counseling or therapy.