Welcome to our special page for Married Couples. We are glad for your visit. Marriage is a journey with joys and sorrows, excitements and disappointments, enjoyments and challenges. Fortunately, marriage is a journey you make with the help of each other and your God. Time you give to your marriage is time so well spent. Caring for your marriage is ESSENTIAL. We offer you many effective way to strengthen your marriage here. Enjoy!
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"For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two shall become one flesh." Gn2:24
Marriage is a very special friendship, a gift given to us by God. We choose each other, we pledge our love and God blesses it in the sacrament of matrimony, promising to be with us always.
Yet, all friendships need to be nurtured. We grow, we change, we make mistakes, we forgive, we love. We at Family Life invite you to nourish your marriage every day. We are pleased to support you as you live out your sacrament. Your modeling of love and faithfulness is an invaluable gift to give your children and/or community. - Patricia Crane Ennis, L.M.S.W
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Changing Your Partner – and Yourself - taken from foryourmarriage.org
By Lauri Przybysz
They say that when a man marries a woman, he thinks, “She’s the one I’ve been waiting for. She’ll never change.” – and she always does. And a woman looks at her man, and thinks, “He just needs a little work; after we’re married, I’ll help him change” – and he never does.
The truth is that both men and women will change as time goes on. Biologists tell us that every seven years we have totally replaced all the cells in our bodies with new ones. Our ideas, politics, interests have evolved over the years. While research shows that personality tendencies (like introversion/extroversion) remain fairly constant throughout our adult lives, we still do change. Personal change and growth can become issues in marriage because we develop at different rates. We hope our spouses will change for the better: become more patient; stop unhealthy habits; spend more time with the family; work less – or more; go to church more – or less, talk more – or less. We are all works in progress.
Change sometimes doesn’t happen fast enough to suit us. Your beloved may be oblivious to your dissatisfaction. If he or she doesn’t realize the need to change something, a loving spouse can gently ask for change. Nagging, cajoling, and arguing, however, get us nowhere and can make us even more miserable. Successful couples recognize that the only person you can change is yourself.
Enlist your spouse as your partner in self-change. When you are willing to change some behavior, tell your spouses about your plan to change and enlist their support. Energy for marital growth can be ignited in your marriages. Our spouses, no matter what personal faults or issues they may have, will appreciate our efforts (they’ve been hoping we would!).
What if your self-change strategy doesn’t light a fire under your spouse? Despite your hopes and personal improvement efforts, he or she is resistant or unable to change. This is where the most powerful – and paradoxical – tool of marital change is at your service: Acceptance. When spouses show each other love and acceptance they respond more quickly to each other’s changes.
Be ready to support any effort your partner makes towards change, no matter how tentative or incomplete that effort is. If he or she discloses a desire to change, be ready to help and not hinder the process. It may be that professional help is in order, but your role as helpmate is indispensable. You are the one who loves your spouse the most.
Lauri Przybysz is the Coordinator of Marriage & Family Enrichment for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
The Third Option
An on-going group program to build better marriages. It is designed for all married couples and can be used both as marriage enrichment or crisis intervention. For hurting couples, who see only two options (painful endurance or divorce) the third option means reconciliation. For ordinary couples, the program teaches them the skills they need to have happier, healthier marriages.
The Third Option combines skill-building workshops with sharing from mentor couples and a support group component. The atmosphere is warm and caring.
Come as a couple or individually.
For more information, visit the Third Option website at www.thethirdoption.com or check out workshop locations and dates below in our various regions' sections.
The Fidelity Pledge:
To help you guard and protect your love, we offer you this opportunity to pledge your commitment to that love in a special way. Most married couples don’t plan to be unfaithful. They just don’t plan. They do foolish things and then get in over their heads. Experts have suggested the following “safety guidelines” for wise couples who want to guard their love. We invite you to discuss these guidelines with one another and then pledge to observe them in your married life. Click here for pledge.
To see "Keeping Love Alive In Your Marriage When Your Baby Is Born" click here
The following books can help enrich your marriage:
Divorce Busting by Michele Weiner-Davis
Empowering Couples by D & A Olson (workbook building on strengths)
Fighting for Your Marriage by Stanley Markman
Getting the Love You Want by Harvill Hendrix (with couple exercises)
God Knows Marriage Isn't Easy by Rogers & Law
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venusby John Gray
10 Great Dates by C & D Arp
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Why Marriages Succeed or Fail and How You Can Make Yours Last by John Gottman
Syracuse Area
Bishop Harrison Center
1342 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210
The Third Option
The Third Option is an on-going group program to build better marriages. It is designed for all married couples and can be used both as marriage enrichment or crisis intervention. For hurting couples, who see only two options (painful endurance or divorce) the third option means reconciliation. For ordinary couples, the program teaches them the skills they need to have happier, healthier marriages.
When couples are struggling they will say they have "tried everything" but what they usually mean is they have tried the same two extreme options over and over, never finding what works. (Example: they have stuffed their anger, or they have attacked with it. Neither will give them the marriages they want.) The THIRD OPTION is the middle healthy ground.
The Third Option combines skill-building workshops with sharing from mentor couples and a support group component. The atmosphere is warm and caring.
Come as a couple or individually.
For more information, visit the Third Option website at www.thethirdoption.com
2012 Meeting Dates:
| JAN 8 | Hurt |
| JAN 22 | Forgiveness |
| FEB 5 | Trust |
| FEB 19 | Respect |
| MARCH 4 | Responsibility |
| MARCH 18 | Expectations |
| APRIL 1 | Power |
| APRIL 15 | Control |
| APRIL 29 | Listen |
| MAY 20* | Personality |
| JUNE 3 | Childhood |
| JUNE 17 | Anger |
| JUNE 24* | Speaking |
| JULY 8 | Conflict |
| JULY 22 | Hurt |
| AUG 5 | Forgive |
| AUG 19 | Trust |
| SEPTEMBER 9* | Respect |
| SEPT 23 | Responsibility |
| OCT 7 | Expectations |
| OCT 21 | Power |
| NOV 4 | Control |
| NOV 18 | Listen |
| DEC 2 | Personality |
| DEC 16 | Childhood |
| JAN 6 2013 | Anger |
Meetings are Sunday nights (usually every other Sunday) 7-9 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee St, Dewitt/Syracuse, New York. (Dewitt exit off of rt. 481 then west approximately 1 mile on Genesee St, building is on the left). For more information call 315-472-6728.
All are welcome. No reservations are necessary. Just come. Unless there is a “state of emergency” we do not usually cancel meetings. However, please use your own judgment depending on the weather conditions where you live.
Marriage Encounter
A weekend of Discovery.....
A Lifetime of Love!
Rediscover your best friend at a Marriage Encounter weekend! Realize the full potential of your marriage with all the beauty, trust and love that God intended. The weekend is designed to expand and deepen the joys couples share together, whether you are newlyweds or have been married many years. You get away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on each other. Instead of simply listening to lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will actually be improving your marriage, mostly in the privacy of your own room.
Marriage Encounter is not a retreat, marriage clinic or sensitivity course. It is a private weekend where married couples can take time away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones—and focus on each other. The weekend is a positive experience between a husband and wife that revitalizes your relationship. This experience for married couples lasts from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Want to make your marriage blossom and rediscover the love you have for each other?
Come to one of the 2011 Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends held on
Nov 18-20 Notre Dame RH, Canandaigua, NY
To sign up for a weekend or for more information call Rob and Beth Knopf at (877) NYS-WWME (877-697-9963) or visit www.wwme-wny.org or click here for informational poster.
Retrouvaille
Southern Tier Contact: Email: mpalmiter@stny.rr.com
Phone: Bob and Lisa Schriver 607-785-0344
Utica/Rome Contact: Email: info@thegoodnewscenter.org
Phone: Mike and Andrea Buckley 315-735-6210
While not a program offered by the Family Life Office, Retrouvaille is strongly recommended for couples who are experiencing difficulties in their marriage. Retrouvaille has a very high success rate for helping troubled marriages and fostering healthy relationships.
It consists of a weekend retreat, held at the Oswego Treadway in the Southern Tier and followed up by twelve sessions of on-going support. There are currently two communities in the Diocese of Syracuse and anyone may attend.
Utica/Rome Areas
The Good News Center
10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica, NY 13502 - www.thegoodnewscenter.org
The Third Option
The Third Option is an on-going group program to build better marriages. It is designed for all married couples and can be used both as marriage enrichment or crisis intervention. For hurting couples, who see only two options (painful endurance or divorce) the third option means reconciliation. For ordinary couples, the program teaches them the skills they need to have happier, healthier marriages.
When couples are struggling they will say they have "tried everything" but what they usually mean is they have tried the same two extreme options over and over, never finding what works. (Example: they have stuffed their anger, or they have attacked with it. Neither will give them the marriages they want.) The THIRD OPTION is the middle healthy ground.
The Third Option combines skill-building workshops with sharing from mentor couples and a support group component. The atmosphere is warm and caring.
Come as a couple or individually.
For more information, visit the Third Option website at www.thethirdoption.com
Meeting Dates
03/13 Building A Climate of Trust
03/27 Ending the Blame Game
04/10 Expectations
05/01 Redefining the Power Struggle
05/15 Coping with Control Issues
05/22 Listening Beyond the Words
06/05 Appreciating Personality Differences
06/12 Recognizing Childhood & Emotional Baggage
06/26 Handling Anger Constructively
07/10 Speaking the Truth In Love
07/24 Learning How to Fight Fair
08/07 Breaking the Hurt Cycle
08/21 Practicing Forgiveness & Repair
09/11 Rebuilding TrustGroup meets every other Sunday from 6:30 -8:30 pm
For more information or to register click here.
Retrouvaille
Southern Tier Contact: Email: mpalmiter@stny.rr.com
Phone: Bob and Lisa Schriver 607-785-0344
Utica/Rome Contact: Email: info@thegoodnewscenter.org
Phone: Mike and Andrea Buckley 315-735-6210
While not a program offered by the Family Life Office, Retrouvaille is strongly recommended for couples who are experiencing difficulties in their marriage. Retrouvaille has a very high success rate for helping troubled marriages and fostering healthy relationships.
It consists of a weekend retreat, held at the Oswego Treadway in the Southern Tier and followed up by twelve sessions of on-going support. There are currently two communities in the Diocese of Syracuse and anyone may attend.
Marriage Encounter
A weekend of Discovery.....
A Lifetime of Love!
Rediscover your best friend at a Marriage Encounter weekend! Realize the full potential of your marriage with all the beauty, trust and love that God intended. The weekend is designed to expand and deepen the joys couples share together, whether you are newlyweds or have been married many years. You get away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on each other. Instead of simply listening to lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will actually be improving your marriage, mostly in the privacy of your own room.
Marriage Encounter is not a retreat, marriage clinic or sensitivity course. It is a private weekend where married couples can take time away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones—and focus on each other. The weekend is a positive experience between a husband and wife that revitalizes your relationship. This experience for married couples lasts from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Want to make your marriage blossom and rediscover the love you have for each other?
Come to one of the 2011 Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends held on
Nov 18-20 Notre Dame RH, Canandaigua, NY
To sign up for a weekend or for more information call Rob and Beth Knopf at (877) NYS-WWME (877-697-9963) or visit www.wwme-wny.org or click here for informational poster.
ATTENTION:
Keep the Fire Burning! A lively and interesting date night for married couples of all ages to spend time together exploring all aspects of their relationship and renewing their love for one another. For those who are interested, there will also be an opportunity to become Mentor couples to work with the engaged. Five Mon. evenings 7-9 p.m. at Seton Catholic Central High School starting October 3rd. Contact Colligans at 748-4743 or jcolligan@stny.rr.com to register.
Marriage Retreats
Living in Love
Contact Family Life Office: 607-748-4743
A retreat weekend for married couples based on Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body. Facilitated by married couples, the Living in Love workshop is a series of presentations followed by questions for reflection and discussion so that couple can explore the topics together in complete privacy. There is no group discussion or counseling.
Topics include: Dreams and Memories - Formation in the Family - Cultural Barriers - Trust - Reconciliation - Affirmation - Signs and Wonders - Living in Love - and Vision.
This weekend is normally offered once a year in a parish in the Southern Tier. It takes place on a Saturday and Sunday. Meals are provided and couple go home at night. If you would like to have a weekend in your parish, contact the Family Life Office.
Marriage Encounter
A weekend of Discovery.....
A Lifetime of Love!
Rediscover your best friend at a Marriage Encounter weekend! Realize the full potential of your marriage with all the beauty, trust and love that God intended. The weekend is designed to expand and deepen the joys couples share together, whether you are newlyweds or have been married many years. You get away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on each other. Instead of simply listening to lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will actually be improving your marriage, mostly in the privacy of your own room.
Marriage Encounter is not a retreat, marriage clinic or sensitivity course. It is a private weekend where married couples can take time away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones—and focus on each other. The weekend is a positive experience between a husband and wife that revitalizes your relationship. This experience for married couples lasts from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Want to make your marriage blossom and rediscover the love you have for each other?
Come to one of the 2011 Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends held on
Nov 18-20 Notre Dame RH, Canandaigua, NY
To sign up for a weekend or for more information call Rob and Beth Knopf at (877) NYS-WWME (877-697-9963) or visit www.wwme-wny.org or click here for informational poster.
Retrouvaille
Southern Tier Contact: Email: mpalmiter@stny.rr.com
Phone: Bob and Lisa Schriver 607-785-0344
Utica/Rome Contact: Email: info@thegoodnewscenter.org
Phone: Mike and Andrea Buckley 315-735-6210
While not a program offered by the Family Life Office, Retrouvaille is strongly recommended for couples who are experiencing difficulties in their marriage. Retrouvaille has a very high success rate for helping troubled marriages and fostering healthy relationships.
It consists of a weekend retreat, held at the Oswego Treadway in the Southern Tier and followed up by twelve sessions of on-going support. There are currently two communities in the Diocese of Syracuse and anyone may attend.