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Couples invited to Mass, panel discussion on marriage as a vocation
By Nissa LaPoint
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CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz |
During the last three months of their engagement, Kenn Cramer and his fianceé, Laura Ferstl, were hit with reality.
Marriage is not just about the emotions but about preparing for a vocation that paves the way to holiness. Topics like disciplining children and the status of their bank accounts are things all couples must look into also, he said.
“I think the biggest revelation for us is the seriousness of the commitment,” said Cramer, whose wedding date is April 21, 2012.
These realities prompted Cramer who is a psycotherapist and funder of St. Raphael Counseling, and his fiancée to organize a parish-sponsored night for engaged and newlywed couples to discuss and reflect on their vocation.
With the help of Father Chris Hellstrom, pastor at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Denver, the pair organized a panel discussion and Mass from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at the church’s Campbell Hall.
Three couples will provide insight into how marriage is a real vocation and how it has led them to greater holiness, he said. The couples will also take questions and comments about marriage. The panel will be led by Deacon Chet and Sandi Ubowski of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton, Dr. Jim and Niki Langley of St. Raphael Counseling, and Matt and Mindy Dalton of The Alexander House, a nonprofit apostolate for marriage.
“This is their maiden voyage on this,” said Philip Webb, director of the Office of Marriage and Family at the Archdiocese of Denver. “I think anytime a parish does something like this it’s a good thing.”
In his experience, Cramer noticed many couples were unaware of the Catholic Church’s teaching that marriage is elevated to the status of a vocation.
According to a survey on marriage in the Church led by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, only 24 percent of Catholics between ages 26 and 46 believe that marriage is a vocation.
“(There is) definitely a perceptive lack in the Church and in general,” Cramer said about couples’ knowledge of marriage as a vocation.
The survey further found that 43 percent of unmarried Catholics said it was “not at all important” if their spouse is Catholic and 76 percent of Catholics believe divorce is acceptable in some cases. The survey was conducted in 2007.
“This is what this night aims to do, to help engaged couples and newlyweds understand the seriousness of this vocation and how it can help them get to heaven,” Cramer said.
With greater introspection into oneself and one’s significant other will come improved communication and “a better grasp of being able to talk about potential problems that arise in marriage,” he said.
The three couples will share with the attendees their own experiences and will discuss the fears and joys of marriage.
“Perhaps these great couples will be able to give them some practical tools in which to enrich their vocation,” Cramer said.
Following the panel discussion, Father Hellstrom will celebrate Mass in church for the couples and give them blessing.
The event is free and reservations are not required.
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