Reaching out to those preparing for marriage

Nov 06, 2015

TAWAU (Herald Malaysia): The Church is always open to anyone who wishes to be in full communion with God. The Family Life Ministry of the Holy Trinity Parish responded to the challenge of the Church’s mission by organizing a visit, and conducting a spiritual session on marriage, to 14 Indonesian couples who wished to have their marriage blessed.

Eleven members of the Parish Family Life Ministry conducted the session on October 17 at St Clement Brantian, under the care of Holy Trinity Church. The session began with the proclamation of the Gospel, followed by an Opening Prayer led by Julita.

This response is in line with the mission of the Church to reach out to those who live far away and are unable to attend any formation on marriage due to distance, transportation or documentation problems. The couples were eagerly looking forward to the session because of their desire to have their marriage blessed.

Most of them have been married 10 to 30 years, but have not had the opportunity to get their marriage blessed due to their ignorance of the Church’s requirement, whereas others have difficulties with their documents.

Topics covered:

1. God’s Plan and the Sacrament of Marriage by Sr Liza Augustine, fsic
2. Communication in marriage by Petrus Bernadus
3. Economy in the Family by Edward Nuing
4. Intimacy in Marriage by Mario Domingo
5. Responsibility of being a Catholic family and natural family planning by Julita Kantod
6. Briefing and information on Marriage Blessing by Melvin and Linda Lajanti.

All participants were touched by the messages shared by the speakers as they had not had the opportunity to attend such a formation session before, especially on the responsibility of being a Catholic family.