Father’s Notebook - August 6, 2019

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ,

Hopefully you've had some time to ponder a bit more about a spirit of communion. I think one of the most beautiful signs of communion is found in strong and lasting marriages. This past weekend, I was able to bless a couple who had been married for 50 years and was still filled with love and joy. It's a real tragedy that this is no longer the norm but rather it is the exception. I would argue that we not only have a shortage of holy vocations to the priesthood, but holy vocation to marriages seem rare nowadays.

The last time I meet with Fr. Victor, he shared with me his desire to start a new marriage preparation program: Witness to Love (witnesstolove.org). Since then I have looked into the new model and I think it is not only a wonderful program but a whole new approach to marriage prep that the past popes have been asking for: a marriage catechumenate. Just as the Church accompanies an individual who is interested in joining the Catholic Church through a process to incorporate them into the Church and community, we should do the same with couples preparing for marriage. 

Pope St. John Paul II asked for a “catechumenal process-involves a more specific preparation for the sacraments, as it were, a rediscovery of them. This renewed catechesis of young people and others preparing for Christian marriage is absolutely necessary in order that the sacrament may be celebrated and lived with the right moral and spiritual dispositions.” - Familiaris Consortio, #66

“The key to Witness to Love, and the marriage catechumenate, is personal relationships and integrating the couple into the life of the parish, so that newlyweds (marriage neophytes) have a trusted mentor couple (marriage sponsors) and a supportive community (their parish) they can turn to as they take those first steps living together the Church’s vision for marriage.” - Mary-Rose Verret

Just as no newly ordained priest should go through his first year without a mentor, spiritual director and a whole community of people sitting them, no newly wed should have to journey through their first year without the support of the entire parish community. 

If we are to live communion as a parish, I believe it begins with bringing all new marriages into the faith community. If you know any newly wed or about to be married, I ask you to invite them out to a meal and walk this journey with them.

You are in my prayers this week and I will offer a Mass for all those who read this.

Pax Christi,
Fr. Khoi