Strengthening the family
In our ever-changing world, families find solace and guidance in faith. The Office of Marriage and Family Life strives to enrich and strengthen the spiritual and personal relationships of everyone in the family: of the single, engaged, married, widowed or divorced. Every ministry we offer seeks to promote the dignity of all persons, especially the most vulnerable. We do so believing that loving and just family relationships build up the Church, strengthen society, and glorify God.
Seeking Facilitating Couples
If you have been married for at least two years, consider joining the diocesan team of marriage preparation coordinators!
Upcoming Events
Resources for our families to grow in faith together:
www.lifeteen.com – Resources and inspiration including a link to a series of global Life Nights starting this Sunday.
www.youcat.org - Has an app for daily 5-minute faith talk with activities.
Upcoming Trainings
Family planning is a crucial question for all couples. Married couples are called to partnership with God in the supreme privilege of creating new human life.
The Church teaches us that family planning decisions – the number of children to try to have, and the decision about spacing children – belong solely to the couple and to God.
Sexual intimacy in marriage shares the dual role of unity and procreation. To interfere with either or to attempt to separate the two, is understood to be “grave matter” (a serious sin). This includes all forms of direct contraception, as well as in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Church recognizes that for “just reasons, spouses may wish to space the births of their children” and approves the use of Natural Family Planning (NFP). NFP is based on cutting-edge endocrinology and physiology – and is completely individualized for every couple, because every woman is unique.
NFP has many physical health benefits as well, and the rate of divorce among couples using NFP is extremely low – some studies suggest as low as 2%.
Finally, NFP can also be of great help in conceiving children for those with fertility difficulties. A relatively high percentage of couples experience fertility difficulties.
The loss of loved ones through death, or through divorce, touches every Catholic family in America. Loss is a painful process that affects every facet of human existence. While divorce and widowhood are very different situations, and the needs of divorcees and widows/widowers are also different, there is a common element in the loss of a spouse, and adjustment to a new way of life.
The Catholic Church recognizes this loss as a great source of pain, and is offering education and pastoral assistance for Catholics in either of these situations.
Find resources: http://divorcedcatholic.com/
The Grapevine SF is a regular newsletter for young adults in the Bay Area. Click here to learn more.
Young Adult groups are listed below by location. And check out the volunteer opportunities at our Parishes in Action!
Oakland: St. Margaret Mary's Young Adults
Every Third Friday at 7 pmContact Joni: Joni@durlingfamily.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMargaretMaryYoungAdults/
Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes Young Adult Group
Every Other Monday 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Church Library on Boden Way
This is a community welcome to "cradle Catholics" and spiritual seekers alike, no matter where you are on your journey. we hope it can be a place to explore faith in new ways, build meaningful relationships, and deepen your growth. Scripture study and open discussion meetings every other Monday. We also host hikes, socials, and volunteer projects. For any reason and next meeting dates please email, edausch@gmail.com.
Alameda Young Adults Group
The Alameda Catholic Young Adults Group supports young adults in their 20s and 30s in deepening their relationship with God through fellowship, prayer, service, and social events. We are from all walks of life and engage in our faith in diverse ways. We invite you to join us on the journey! We meet for prayer and discussion on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 7:30pm in the St. Joseph Parish Center, in addition to a variety of other events. (We are currently meeting on Zoom during COVID.)
Contact: AlamedaYAG@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/alamedayag
Antioch: Holy Rosary Young Adult Community
Meets Fridays and Saturdays at Most Holy Rosary Parish Hall
Contact Lizette: yayam@holyrosaryantioch.org
Berkeley: Young Adults of Mary Magdalene
Prayer, Party, Hiking, and Forming Your Faith. Mary Magdalene Parish in Berkeley Contact: smmyamms@gmail.com
Berkeley: Newman Grads
Young adults at Newman Hall and Holy Spirit. Bible studies and small group meetings weekly on Sundays after the 5 pm Mass.
Contact: grads@calnewman.org
Facebook and Instagram @calnewmanhall
Brentwood: IHM Young Adults
Meets every other Thursday at Hall C of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
Conatact: Roxanne Alvarez
ralvarez111087@gmail.com
El Sobrante: The Young Adult Catholic Community of St. Callistus Church
Meets every Tuesday 7pm-9pm at St. Callistus Catholic Church
Contact: Ugoeze Ofoegbu
510-375-1813
youngadultcatholic@gmail.com
Facebook.com/gotyacc
Hayward: All Saints Young Adult Ministry
Meets every Wednesday 7pm-9:30pm in the chapel behind All Saints
Contact: 510-436-0463
allsaintshaywardyam@gmail.com
Like them on Facebook
Pleasant Hill: 1st Wednesdays
Meets every First Wednesday
Contact: Rick Lejano ctkyouthminister@gmail.com
Tri-Valley Young Adults
Faith study every Wednesday evening, first Friday Adoration, Wine Tastings& other events!
Contact: trivalleyyam@gmail.com
Join their Facebook Group
Union City: The Decades
Our Lady of the Rosary Church
Contact: donald_marquez@yahoo.com
Walnut Creek: St. Mary's Church
Monthly Mass and other events
Contact: wcstmarysyam@gmail.com