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Marriage Enrichment

“Marriage is like a plant. It is not an armoire, which is placed there, in the room, and it’s enough to dust it every once in a while. A plant is alive, and it needs to be cared for every day: to see how it is doing, to give it water, and so it goes. Marriage is a living reality: the life of a couple should never be taken for granted, in any phase of a family’s journey.”
– Pope Francis, December 21, 2015

In alignment with Pope Francis’ words, Bellarmine Chapel’s Marriage Enrichment ministry was created to help realize our parish’s mission and vision for marriages.

Marriage Enrichment Team

A dedicated team of married couples at Bellarmine Chapel is responsible for planning and coordinating marriage enrichment events, activities, and services. Whether you’re looking to learn more about Bellarmine’s marriage enrichment programs or interested in volunteering, please reach out to our Director of Marriage Ministries, or our Marriage Enrichment Chairs:

Mission, Vision, Purposes, Values, and Principles

Mission
Our mission is to nurture and celebrate Christ-centered marriages, making them a central pillar of our parish and a source of justice and light for the world.

Vision
We envision committed, faith-filled married couples who nurture their families, serve those in need, and work for justice with love.

Purposes of Bellarmine Chapel’s Marriage Ministry

  1. Offer support, resources, and fellowship to help couples navigate the stages of marriage with intentionality and courage.

  2. Equip couples to deepen in faith, hope, love, and service.

  3. Publicly affirm, support, and celebrate the vocation of marriage.

  4. Encourage open, honest communication between married couples.

  5. Strengthen families through the support of faith-filled marriages.

  6. Provide opportunities for couples to serve God, their family, and the world together.

  7. Welcome engaged and newlywed couples with support and guidance.

  8. Support couples with troubled marriages by offering resources and referrals.

  9. Offer compassionate support to those experiencing divorce.

  10. Equip married couples for leadership within the parish and broader community.

  11. Welcome and support all who are in committed relationships.

Values

  • Warmth and Welcome: We honor God’s presence in everyone with genuine care and compassion.

  • Acceptance and Inclusivity: All are welcome.

  • Authenticity: We live what we believe and strive to align our actions with our teachings.

  • Equality and Diversity: We commit to fair treatment and equal opportunity for all.

  • Community: We nurture relationships built on love, care, compassion, mutuality, and authenticity.

  • Charity & Justice: We aim to serve the poor and end systems of poverty and injustice.

  • Active Discipleship: We rely on the strength and potential of God’s people.

Principles

  1. Foundation of Marriage: Marriage is a holy vocation and a sacred meeting place with God.

  2. Catholicity: We are transformed by the richness of our Catholic faith.

  3. Right Relationship, Listening, and Forgiveness: Striving for loving union through active listening and forgiveness.

  4. Ignatian Spirituality: We draw on Ignatian principles for spiritual formation and prayer.

  5. Loved Sinners & Wounded Healers: We acknowledge our flaws and embrace divine love to heal and transform the world.

  6. Sanctity of Marriage: Marriage is a sacrament and a place to experience God’s love.

  7. Importance of Community: We are united in our commitment to Christ and one another.

  8. Lifelong Commitment: Marriage is an ongoing journey of love and growth.