Engaged, Married, and Beyond, July 28, 2024
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What does that “RING of GOLD” mean as it wraps around your finger? My response is this; God told us that in marriage, “the two become one flesh” (Gen 2:24). As He created Eve for Adam from his rib, Adam said, “Finally, this is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone” (Gen 2:22). To marry is to be joined in a Covenant with God,” fully aware that “what God has joined together no one can separate.” (Matt 19:4) This Holy union is reflected in the outward symbol of the wedding ring, much like the Cross, the couple each carries for the other in their Sacramental Marriage.
My name is Jackie Schratz, founder of Mission Project Love, a ministry created six years ago with one goal; to Encourage the Vocation of Sacramental Marriages which will now be growing here at Resurrection Parish. My husband, Walt, and I have been married for 37 years, and have been blessed with ten children and one grandchild. So far, we have celebrated the weddings of two of our children and are looking forward to a third wedding this December. We strongly feel that the Gift of the Sacrament of Marriage is God’s way of connecting the Divine to the ordinary here on earth. Amazingly, we get to witness that touch of God that couples undergo in our programs.
Mission Project Love is a ministry devoted to all couples: we have the honor of walking personally and individually alongside engaged, newly married, or longstanding married couples.
First, the initial meetings with couples are called the Engaged Love Walk, which includes 10-14 hours of individual, personalized training, renewing sacraments, and encouraging their relationship with God.
Next, the Joy-Filled Marriage pre-marriage program then prepares them using 8 hours of additional training, which encompasses all marital topics: communication, finances, faith, intimacy, family life, and conflict. This commitment to excellence builds stronger, faith-filled relationships embedded in the Love of Christ and his church. These strong relationships become dedicated to growing a legacy of love for generations to come.
Revive is a program for established marriages that may feel under attack, or who forget their beloved and may be encountering a few storms, and need help to remember their precious vocation and all the graces that await them. “God has reserved someone special just for me.” (Psalm 37:4)
Mission Project Love is planning future events to grow marriages from the start as well as all along the journey. Some things we do to grow married Love are fun Date Nights where couples rekindle their competitive game skills in marriage; a Marriage Workshop to strengthen relationships and build better families; and a total parish Renewal of Vows Celebration in the spring.
I am blessed to call Resurrection Parish my home and to direct the Marriage Ministry. This is the place where we celebrate love from the first “I will” to the existing marriages many of us already live out. “God is writing a beautiful love story for me.” (Rom 8:28)
Our parish needs your help to grow marriages and build families that love and serve God.
GOD has GREAT PLANS for YOUR BLESSED UNION!
Jackie Schratz
Mission Project Love, Marriage Ambassador