TWO BY TWO NEWSLETTER
September 2018
From the Office of Marriage & Family

Check out the Humanae Vitae movie, Sexual Revolution information below!
Marriage
Ireland: Pope Speaks of how Marriage is Unique
‘It is about a love that gives rise to new life.’ August 25, 2018
Why Dating Is Important For Marriage
Date nights improve marriages, according to common sense and a comprehensive, quantitative study conducted by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. The study showed improvements for married couples who go on frequent dates across categories such as happiness, commitment, communication, parenthood stability, and community integration. The evidence also showed that married couples who devote time together at least once a week not only have lower divorce rates, but also increase the perceived quality of their marriage. That is enough evidence to start dating your spouse more! From ForYourMarriage.org
Need ideas and tips on Second Marriages or
Step-parenting, click here.
Parenting
Helping Your Kids Use Technology Wisely
“Check out my six pack,” my daughter said with a grin. I looked over at her slouched on the couch as she held up her thumbs. She went on, “I’ve been texting so much, I’ve developed three bulging muscles in each thumb.” I rolled my eyes, making light of her comment, but on the inside I also realized she had turned a corner with technology. From Family Life
The Pew Research Center published five new findings on how teens use technology. According to the Culture Translator created by Axis, the study's findings provided eye-opening research. In the study, 85% of teens say they use YouTube compared to only 51% who still access Facebook. This is why Mark Zuckerberg's social media empire recently launched a Youth Portal to bring back this coveted demographic. 

More importantly, 45% of teens reported that they are online "almost constantly". For most, "being online almost constantly is simply a means of social survival." Read the report  yourself and ask your teen if they agree with the findings. Check out our article,  Parents and Grandparents: Starting a No Tech Time  to help you set limits on screen time and create tech-free zones in your home. From Abstinence Clearinghouse
National Grandparents Day
September 9, 2018
Grandparents are indispensable members of every family. A day to honor these influential people in a child's life.
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How to Talk to Your Kids About Porn
Part 2 with Matt Fradd
Respect Life
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's announcement that he will retire has catapulted Roe v. Wade (the Supreme Court's landmark abortion case) into the news. Pro-abortion groups are pulling out all the stops to urge the U.S. Senate to reject any nominee who does not promise to publicly endorse Roe. And they are misrepresenting the legal and social reality of Roe and what would happen if it is overturned.

The upcoming Supreme Court vacancy provides us with yet another occasion requiring focused prayer. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops does not support or oppose the confirmation of any presidential nominee. However, given this historic moment, the U.S. bishops are urging all people of good will to pray that a change in the U.S. Supreme Court may move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life.

From Friday, August 3, 2018 to Friday, September 28, 2018, the weekly Call to Prayer will be adapted as a nine-week Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life. In addition to the current invitation to fast on Fridays, participants are encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the intention of the novena.

Participants will also be provided with weekly opportunities to learn more about  Roe v. Wade , and share that information with their representatives.
40 Days for Life Campaign
begins Sept 27th
40 Days for Life begins on Wednesday, September 26th through November 4th. Please consider joining the peaceful prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood in St Cloud from 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday. 

For more information, e-mail Judy Haag at  judy4life@meltel.net or call at 320-453-7592 
OPENING RALLY speaker:
SHAWN CARNEY

ST AUGUSTINE’S Catholic Church
THURSDAY, SEPT 27, at NOON 
 J oin us from 11:30am-1pm at St Aug’s, speaker at noon. Shawn Carney is CO-FOUNDER & NATL PRESIDENT of 40 DAYS FOR LIFE. Since it’s beginning in 2007, Shawn has been instrumental in growing 40 Days for Life nationally & then internationally.  
Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a noble way for married couples to open their hearts to God’s plan
NFP enables couples to discern whether God is calling them to bring forth new life or to wait for a time. Based on the latest science, NFP allows couples to celebrate and reverence God’s vision for human sexuality by respecting their bodies in a way that artificial means do not. 
 
A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in: 
  • Little Falls: Tuesday, September 4 & October 2 at 7:30 PM
  • Long Prairie: Monday, September 24 & October 22 at 7:00 PM 
  • Rice: Monday, September 10 & October 1 at 6:30 PM
  • St. Cloud: Monday, September 17 & Thursday, October 11 at 6:30 PM
  • St. Michael: Monday, September 10 & October 8 at 6:00 PM
  • Wadena: Friday, September 28 & October 26 at 5:30 PM
Sexual Revolution: 50 Years Since Humanae Vitae
Sunday, October 14, 2018
6:30 PM
Holy Angels Performing arts Center
Cathedral High School

In Honor of Blessed Pope Paul VI’s canonization, we are offering the film, “Sexual Revolution.” This documentary shows the fallout of the free-love experiment against the backdrop of Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical about love, sex and marriage.
Have you considered teaching Natural Family Planning (NFP)?
Thousands of couples in the Saint Cloud Diocese have experienced the benefits of NFP in their marriage & family life. Let's share the gift of NFP with every couple! Teaching NFP is rewarding and fulfilling. There will be a Billings Ovulation Method Teacher Training in Saint Cloud, MN October 18-21, 2018. Grants may be available for the cost of the course.  Click here for more information. Contact: Sheila Reineke, NFP Program Coordinator at 320-252-4721 or sreineke@gw.stcdio.org.


NFP orients couple to each other
“I started to realize that I deserved to be respected and nurtured as a child of God. NFP was absolutely central to this discovery because, as a woman, I never feel used. Realize what I am saying: My husband doesn’t just want to have sex with me; he wants to have babies with me, and build a life together.” —Trish
Chastity
Is pornography use increasing loneliness among young people?
Porn may be undermining teens' preparation for intimate relationships. From MERCATORNET 
What’s the Big Deal About Waiting for Marriage?
If Christians are supposed to be waiting until marriage for sex, they aren’t doing a very good job at it. Statistics show as many as 80 percent of Christians in their 20s admit to having premarital sex.   From Relevant Magazine
Book Review: Made for Love by Fr. Mike Schmitz
"Parents, teachers, and anyone in ministry would benefit from reading this book because it drives home an understanding that all people are called to and made for love."  From Foryourmarriage.org
Events
Volunteers needed!
On Tuesday, September 25, 2018, the Diocese of Saint Cloud will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the death of Padre Pio.

The relics of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) will be on display At the Cathedral of St Mary for veneration from 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. with Mass being celebrated at 7:00 p.m. (Bishop Kettler presiding).

We are in need of volunteers to help with greeting and assisting guests and working at religious goods "store". Shifts will begin at 7:00 a.m. and will be scheduled for every two (2) hours. You are welcome to sign up for more than one shift.

Follow this link to sign up online. If you have any questions or are unable to sign up online, please contact the Office of Worship at 320-255-9068.
A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children TM
September 24
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September 24th is Family Day! T he national movement reminds parents Dinner Makes A Difference!
 
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University launched Family Day in 2001 after research consistently found--the more often kids eat dinner with their families--the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

 Ideas: Write about Family Day in your bulletin, mention Family Day in your sermon on Sunday, September 27th, link www.CASAFamilyDay.org from your website, encourage parents to take the Family Day Pledge found at CASA or host Family Day events in your parish. By celebrating Family Day you will reinforce your commitment to the well-being of families.  
Beginning Experience
Beginning Experience (B.E.) is a Catholic based weekend program for adults grieving the loss of a relationship due to separation, death or divorce.

  • October 12 - October 14, 2018
  • Luther Crest, Alexandria MN
  • Call (888) 565-0178 for more information or Click here.
Sexual Revolution: 50 Years Since Humanae Vitae Sunday, October 14 at 6:30 PM - Holy Angels Performing arts Center Cathedral High School. In Honor of Blessed Pope Paul VI’s canonization, we are offering the film, “Sexual Revolution.” This documentary shows the fallout of the free-love experiment against the backdrop of Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical about love, sex and marriage.
Healing Hearts of Suicide Survivors -September 4th
Healing Hearts is a support group that assists when a loved one has died by suicide, working through the complex emotions. With support and hope of other survivors, members of the group walk alongside each other "through" the grief. For more information contact Roxann at (320) 248-1563
  Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Worldwide Marriage Encounter For more information, call Alan & Missy Block at 888-455-3496 or click here. The next weekend is September 14th in Alexandria, MN
Retrouvaille Weekend
Retrouvaille weekend for couples struggling in their marriage. For more information, call 320-255-5314 or click here .
The next weekend is in St Cloud Sept 14th. 
Mass of Hope & Healing
This special Mass is for couples who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage, abortion, SIDS, illness, accident or those experiencing
infertility. Part of this event consists of a candle-lighting ceremony remembering those who have died.

Thursday, October 25, 2018 • 6:00 p.m.
St. Andrew Catholic Church
566 4th Street NW • Elk River, MN 55330