“All those ‘and they lived happily ever after’ fairy tale ending need to be changed to ‘and they began the very hard work of making their marriages happy.’” (Linda Miles, The New Marriage) Are there any fairy tale dreams I'm still holding on to that block my ability to love my spouse for better or for worse?

The parish family of Our Lady of Sorrows-Saint Anthony congratulates and extends its prayerful best wishes for a long and happy marriage to the couples who were wed in the second half of 2018. Click the article title for names.

Having a disagreement? Try this: Rate how strongly you feel about the issue on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being “I would be devastated to give in on this one.” Spouse also rates the issue. Sometimes the partner with the lesser investment will be willing to give in - this time. Click the article title for more on what to do if the ratings are not that clear.

The OLS-SA Marriage Ministry would like to connect our engaged couples preparing for marriage with parishioners whose marriage has weathered the good times and bad times relying on Christ and prayer. If you would like to pray for an engaged couple, click the article title for information on who to contact.

“It is not your love that sustains the marriage, but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writing to a young bride and group from his prison cell in Nazi Germany in 1943)

“In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find grounds for marriage." (Robert Anderson, Solitaire/Double Solitaire) This week discuss a significant value or belief that holds you and your spouse together.

"Yeah, you won," said the irate wife to her husband, "and now you get to live with the loser." Retrouvaille leader on why win/win outcomes are a better way to resolve disagreements.

Why not give yourselves a Marriage Encounter Weekend. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. Click the article title for more information.

Life can be difficult, and so can the challenges you face in marriage. If your marriage is in trouble, consider coming to a Retrouvaille Weekend for Couples, in Somerset, NJ, on the weekend of February 8 - 10. Click the article title for details, and contact information for registration.

Marriage is: Joyful, Fulfilling, Life Giving, God’s Plan, Frustrating, Trying, Testing The OLS-SA Marriage Ministry would like to connect our engaged couples preparing for marriage with parishioners whose marriage has weathered the good times and bad times relying on Christ and prayer. Click the article title for more information.

"Is it any wonder that couples are finding it more difficult to make and keep marriage vows when promiscuity is portrayed as normative on the sitcoms and is snuck into our e mails and annoyingly pops up on websites?" (Susan Vogt, Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference) This week, be mindful of what the media is feeding your psyche.

Most couples think that being involved sexually is the most intimate part of their marriage. Praying together, however, may be an even deeper form of intimacy. It takes great trust to pour out your heart to God in the presence of your spouse. A first step may be praying for each other even if not in one another's presence. A second step may be silent meditation in each other's presence. Click the article title for a link to other steps you can take.

"Romance is a process it's not an event. It's not a one-time thing. It's not something that's 'accomplished' and then forgotten. In order to work, it's got to be an ongoing thing a part of the very fabric of your daily life" (Gregory J. P. Godek, 1001 Ways to Be Romantic) Think of one romantic way you can express your love for your spouse today. Do it. Click the article title for a link to Susan's website.

The person who truly loves does so because of a decision to love. This person has made a commitment to be loving whether or not the loving feeling is present." (M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled) Click the article title for a link to Susan's website.

In a growing marriage the little things are the big things. It's not only marrying the right person. It's BEING the right partner. How are you doing in the little things of your marriage? Click the article title for a link to Susan's website.

Don't argue with anyone today even if you're right. Click the article title for a link to Susan's website.

Are you thinking about marriage or planning a wedding? Check out the Marriage page, under Worship & Liturgy > The Sacraments, for basic information about the sacrament of marriage and church teaching on marriage. For information specific to planning a wedding, look under Worship & Liturgy > Weddings. Click the article title for links to the pages.

If you're too busy to have a weekly date with your spouse, you may be too busy. Tonight choose several hours that you can devote just to each other next weekend. This week the wife plans what to do, next week it's the husband's turn. Click the article title for a link to Susan's website.

Bishop O’Connell bestowed his episcopal blessing on Marsha and Frank Gunson and Eileen and John O’Keefe, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries this year.

There is life after divorce! Come to a day of renewal, hope, and healing. Click the article title for more information.