Couples of Faith 2011-2012

Join Couples of Faith as Part of Your Marital Journey

A ‘come as you are’ and ‘come when you can’ program for married couples sponsored by St. John Neumann Catholic Church.

Growth throughout the marital journey requires openness and flexibility. For people of faith, it also means being alert to the mysterious working of the Holy Spirit. Contemporary culture wants answers and certainty; faith requires trust and surrender. The invitation to the marital journey, and the resources to undertake it, come from God. God gives us enough clarity to take the next few steps, even if we cannot see the entire road and where it will end.

The above quote is from US Conference of Catholic Bishops Web site, by Paul R. Giblin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Be sure to check out this website for great articles about the Sacrament of Marriage.

Most meetings will be held on the second Saturday of the month, but the meeting may move to other Saturdays or times depending on other events at the parish (see the schedule below for detailed scheduling).

Couples of Faith – Important Dates 2011-2012

Saturday, Sept. 10, 7:00pm

Monthly meeting, St. Timothy Room, 7:00-9:00 pm
Program: Perseverance
Presenters: Fr. Adrian Chishimba, Associate Pastor of St. John Neumann
Bring your favorite beverage (juice, soda, wine, beer) and a generous appetizer to share with other couples.
Hosts: Drew and Laura Dutton, Couples of Faith Core Team Members
(register for babysitting beginning August 14th)

Saturday, Oct. 8, 7:00pm

Monthly meeting, St. Timothy Room, 7:00-9:00 pm
Program: Theology of the Body in Marriage
Presenters: Michael Gormley, LayEvangelist.com
Bring your favorite beverage (juice, soda, wine, beer) and a generous appetizer to share with other couples.
Hosts: Dennis and Roseann Ciani, Couples of Faith Core Team Members
(register for babysitting beginning September 9th)

Saturday, Nov. 12, 7:00pm

Monthly meeting, St. Timothy Room, 7:00-9:00 pm
Program: The Marriage Vows: Contemplating ‘Til Death Do Us Part’
Presenters: Jon and Hilary Olson, SJN parishioners
Bring your favorite beverage (juice, soda, wine, beer) and a generous appetizer to share with other couples.
Hosts: Sam and Ali Clare, Couples of Faith Core Team Members
(register for babysitting beginning October 7th)

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10:30am (note time change)

Program: Christmas Brunch and Fellowship, Gift Exchange (bring a food or beverage item of $10 or less as a gift for an exchange)
No presentation, note time change to 10:30 a.m.
Location: at Maudie’s Milagro
Please RSVP to Hilary Olson (by Friday, December 9 at noon) at holson@sjnaustin.org to make sure we have enough seats for our reservation.
Babysitting not available

Saturday, Jan. 14, 7:00pm

Monthly meeting, St. Timothy Room, 7:00-9:00 pm
Program: There’s something about Mary…Marriage begins with a “Yes”!
Presenters: David and Lizette Anglin, SJN Parishioners
Bring your favorite beverage (juice, soda, wine, beer) and a generous appetizer to share with other couples.
Hosts: Jon and Hilary Olson, Couples of Faith Core Team Members
(register for babysitting beginning January 1st)

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2:00pm

World Marriage Day event at St. John Neumann, 2:00-8:30 pm, cost $50/couple, includes retreat, mass, dinner and live entertainment.

Charlie and Beth Balsam will explore biblical images of covenant marriage from the Old and New Testaments. Join us for our annual celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.

Babysitting is available for a fee with pre-registration. Register and find out more about the retreat and babysitting. No walk-ins for this retreat.

Saturday, Mar. 10, - no meeting due to Spring Break

No meeting due to Spring Break

Saturday, Apr. 14, 7:00pm

Monthly meeting, St. Timothy Room, 7:00-9:00 pm
Program: TBA
Presenters: Michael Gormley, LayEvangelist.com
Bring your favorite beverage (juice, soda, wine, beer) and a generous appetizer to share with other couples.
Hosts: TBA, Couples of Faith Core Team Members
(register for babysitting beginning March 9th)

Saturday, May 12, 7:00pm

Monthly meeting, St. Timothy Room, 7:00-9:00 pm
Program: TBA
Presenters:  Sally Robb, parishioner and retreatmaster
Bring your favorite beverage (juice, soda, wine, beer) and a generous appetizer to share with other couples.
Hosts: TBA, Couples of Faith Core Team Members
(register for babysitting beginning April 13th)

Saturday, June 9, 7:00pm

Summer Dinner-Date Night
Hosts: TBA
Meet at the following Restaurant at 7:00 pm: TBA
No babysitting at the church during the summer months

Saturday, July 14, 7:00pm

Summer Dinner-Date Night
Hosts: TBA
Meet at the following Restaurant at 7:00 pm: TBA
No babysitting at the church during the summer months

Saturday, August 11, 7:00pm

Summer Dinner-Date Night
Hosts: TBA
Meet at the following Restaurant at 7:00 pm: TBA
No babysitting at the church during the summer months

Contact info:

Hilary Olson (holson@sjnaustin.org) or 512-653-8356

Jon Olson (jolson@mail.utexas.edu)

General Babysitting Information:

*small fee for babysitting, online reservations required (you cannot register for babysitting at the office)

Pre-register for babysitting by Friday noon, the day before each monthly meeting.