2 minute read
Marriage Ministry Helps To Build The Domestic Church And Fellowship In Our Community
Marriage is a beautiful sacrament — one that carries both joy and struggle. It can be a daily example to all those with whom we come in contact. And because a group at Cathedral of Christ the King recognized these joys and struggles many years ago, we have a beautiful ministry that promotes and upholds the vocation of marriage — the Marriage Ministry.
John and Carrie Carlson have been married for 17 years and have helped co-lead this ministry for five years. There are five other couples who colead. As Carrie points out, we are called to build the “domestic church,” or the church in our homes.
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“The vocation of marriage is a sign of Christ and His Church,” Carrie says. “It is a means of evangelization, not just for each spouse, or for the children, if we are given them, but to the world.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marriage Ministry hosted many events to bring couples together. The ministry also used the Zoom videoconferencing platform to facilitate a speaker — Dr. Lesley Iwinski from Growing Peaceful Families spoke on the topic “Listening in Love.”
One of the main events the Marriage Ministry hosts is the supper events on various Friday evenings. There is childcare, a meal and a game, movie, or other activities. During one such event, the ministry even hosted an introduction to ballroom dancing. The ministry has also hosted various studies and book groups. The Marriage Ministry team has hosted service events like a food drive, serving a meal to refugee families, and they have also helped with speakers at the Cathedral. For many, these events serve as a date night. After all, couples — especially those with young children — don’t always get the chance to enjoy a night together.
John and Carrie are so thankful for all the friendships they have formed through the Marriage Ministry. The friendships are another important The current leaders are always looking for more part of this ministry — and while the Marriage people to get involved to help lead the Marriage Ministry serves as a valuable place for people to Ministry. They meet about once per month to plan come together around faith and marriage, it also activities. serves as a wonderful form of hospitality.
Carrie and John Carlson and their three children. Carrie and John enjoy helping lead the Marriage Ministry at our parish.
Couples watch the Newlywed Game, with other parish couples as contestants.
“I have had multiple people tell me that through this ministry, they have felt more at home in the Church,” Carrie says. “By the grace of God, I think we have made people feel welcome.”
The current leaders are always looking for more people to get involved to help lead the Marriage Ministry. They meet about once per month to plan activities.
“I love making people feel at home in the Church,” Carrie says. “I love the fellowship, and I love helping to strengthen and enrich marriages. It brings me great joy to share the love of Christ and His Church by strengthening the domestic church.”
