The Call of Priests to Foster a Marriage-Building Church

• The importance of the Sacrament of Marriage and the family to our Church and society and the reasons why the bishops took on the initiative;

• The core message of the Pastoral on Marriage to be debated by the bishops the following week and the history that led up to the present moment;

• The steps taken as part of the initiative and those being promoted for the coming two years (the talk from San Antonio on the initiative);

• What does it mean to become a Marriage-Building Church?

Please click here for the audio of Archbishop Kurtz's Presentation (MP3)

Fractured Foundations: How Emerging Patterns of Partnering Undermine Marital Commitment

From the growing hook-up culture, to living together or bearing children out of wedlock, the landscape of how relationships form in the U. S. has undergone dramatic changes.

• How do new patterns of relationship-development increase the risk of relationship problems and poorly formed commitment in marriage?

• Why does sliding through potentially life-altering transitions in relationships threaten a person’s future potential in marriage and family life?

• Are there ways to speak to younger people about how they can increase their confidence in lasting love in marriage—and have them listen?

Please click here for Scott Stanley's Powerpoint Presentation

Please click here for the audio of Scott Stanley's Presentation (MP3)

Current Theological Perspectives on Marriage

This presentation will focus on contemporary theological trends regarding marriage. It will emphasize:

• Theological perspectives on the sacramentality of marriage

• Perspectives on Pope Benedict’s recent writing on marriage, especially Deus Caritas Est

• Consideration of the Theology of the Body

• Applying a theology of marriage to contemporary pastoral situations

Please click here for Joann Heaney-Hunter's Powerpoint Presentation

Please click here for the audio of Joann Heaney-Hunter's Presentation (MP3)

National Pastoral Initiative provided by Archbishop Kurtz, D.D.