The Office of Marriage & Family Life exists to build the Body of Christ in the Diocese of St. Petersburg by providing a Catholic vision of Sacramental Marriage as an icon of the love between Christ and His Bride, the Church, by validating the family as holy in all the various dimensions that constitute the family unit, and by regarding the parish community as a family of families and small communities. Catholic marriage and family life ministry serves all married couples and families by proclaiming the love of God to them and helping them embrace their vocation to love and discipleship.  We offer marriage preparation and enrichment, partner with programs and organizations for marriage renewal and pastoral care, and serve as resource/consultant for parish processes and programs. We are home to initiatives and projects that empower parish and school leaders to partner with parents in building the domestic church and support parishes in ministering with families throughout the family life cycle. We offer training to parishes in forming and developing small Christian communities as vehicles of missionary discipleship and in incorporating faith sharing into all aspects of parish life. We support parish and diocesan men’s and women’s ministries. We recognize the multicultural make-up of our Diocese and provide and accompany processes, services and programs to meet diverse needs.

We Offer, Connect with and/or Support Parishes in:

• Marriage preparation (diocesan programs and resourcing for parish programs and processes)
• Marriage enrichment (diocesan programs and resourcing for parish programs and processes)
• Annual Diocesan Marriage Jubilee Mass
• Counseling referrals (email us) and Resources for Healing
• Pastoral Care of Marriage and Divorce Care
• Strong Catholic Families initiative for parishes and schools
• Resourcing school and parish leaders in ministry with families
• Promoting, developing, supporting and training small Christian communities and their leadership
• Building communities that regularly engage in connecting life and faith through reflection and relationship building in all activities
• Men’s and Women’s Ministries
• Pastoral Planning using the National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life and Parish Marriage and Family Life Inventory (USCCB)
• Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life
• Franciscan at Home (Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University) – Family Life offerings

Family Ministry Initiatives:  Each parish’s circumstances, resources and needs vary significantly. Referencing the Parish Plan for the Family Ministry Goal of Courageously Living the Gospel is an excellent starting point as you consider how to accompany families in all the stages of family life. If your pastor/parish team would like assistance in developing strategies to minister with parents, families, couples, etc., please email Diane Kledzik, dmk@dosp.org or Debbie Alexander, deb@dosp.org. Parish and School Leaders will find a plethora of resources for all aspects of family ministry at Strong Catholic Family Faith, www.catholicfamilyfaith.org.