The Family Ministry and Outreach office is here to provide resources, training, and support to all those in the Archdiocese of Kingston. This page will provide you with resources and information intended to help you live your faith in a deep and meaningful way within your parishes, families, and the wider community. We feel privileged to be able to walk with you in your faith journey from conception to the end of life, and everything in between.

Taylor Lynch
Director of Family Ministry and Outreach
[email protected] 
 

What is Outreach anyway?  

     The Outreach portfolio of the Family Ministries and Outreach office encompasses social or charitable ministries that address community need. Put another way, outreach entails all our “loving our neighbour” ministries. The following page will provide you with resources to help develop your awareness of the call to love our neighbour and get you thinking about what this may look like in your home or parish.  

     It is good practice to ask your parish priest should you require clarification on whether a charitable organization or service initiative conforms to our faith.   

Why must we love our neighbour? 

“Each day we have to decide whether to be Good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders … there are only two kinds of people: those who care for someone who is hurting and those who pass by; those who bend down to help and those who look the other way and hurry off.” - Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 69, 70. 

     Two things are essential for the Christian life: to worship God and to love our neighbour. Why? Because we were made for love. We find this truth throughout scripture, but it is summarized in Galatians 5: 14: “For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” With this simple commandment God challenges us to create a culture in which we care for one another. The more we love our neighbour, the more we grow to love the common good and to seek the good of all people. 

     Our love for God is directly tied to our love for others. As we pursue God in prayer and worship, we can better appreciate the sacredness of life and the dignity of others. Our love for God blossoms into a commitment to the welfare of all our brothers and sisters.  

 “The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.” – Attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta 

     We are called to love our neighbour not because God demands it, but because it is through service, we can grow in our own humanity.  
 

Who is my neighbour?  

     The parable of the Good Samaritan shared by Jesus in Chapter 10 of Luke’s Gospel calls us to show mercy to our neighbours, that is, all those who are hurting and suffering.  

     Pope Francis reflects on this parable in his 2020 encyclical entitled Fratelli Tutti, meaning All Brothers:  

“Jesus concludes the parable by saying: ‘Go and do likewise’ [as the Good Samaritan] (Lk 10:37). In other words, he challenges us to put aside all differences and, in the face of suffering, to draw near to others with no questions asked. I should no longer say that I have neighbours to help, but that I must be a neighbour to others.” (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 81). 

     Jesus instructs us to be like the Good Samaritan of the parable who binds the wounds of the beaten man, left for dead on the road. In our homes, communities, and throughout the world, we are called to seek out and bind the wounds of the suffering.  

Scripture constantly reminds us that we are to care for anyone who is in need, without counting the cost. 

“If one of your kindred is in need in any community in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor close your hand against your kin who is in need. Instead, you shall freely open your hand and generously lend what suffices to meet that need.” Deuteronomy 15:7-8 

Fratelli Tutti Resources 

Click here to read Pope Francis’s Fratelli Tutti in full  
Click here for a video that summarizes the document   
 

How can we love our neighbour? 

     It can be overwhelming when we consider the great need of our neighbours. Everywhere we look we can find hurt and suffering people. But loving people doesn’t have to be complicated!  

     The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) promotes a two-fold approach to Catholic service called Two Feet of Love in Action. The first foot of service is social justice work that addresses systemic, root causes of problems that affect others. We are called to build a more just world for all. At the same time, Jesus tells us that the poor will always be with us. (Matthew 26:11). Some individuals may take the persistence of poverty as an excuse to ignore the needs of others, but Jesus is instructing us to draw near to them with generosity. Thus, the second foot of service is charitable works. Christians are responsible for providing short-term, emergency assistance for our struggling neighbours.  

Click here for “Two Feet of Love in Action” resources from the USCCB. 
 

Catholic Social Teaching 

"As far as the Church is concerned, the social message of the Gospel must not be considered a theory, but above all else a basis and a motivation for action.  Inspired by this message, some of the first Christians distributed their goods to the poor, bearing witness to the fact that, despite different social origins, it was possible for people to live together in peace and harmony.  Through the power of the Gospel, down the centuries monks tilled the land, men and women Religious founded hospitals and shelters for the poor, Confraternities as well as individual menand women of all states of life deovted themselves to the needy and to those on the margins of society, convinced as they were that Christ's words "as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40) were not intended to remain a pious wish, but were meant to become a concrete life commitment."  St. John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 57. 

Anoher way to think of service is through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.  

     In our current times, with pressing crises and competing voices, it can be difficult to know how to respond to those in need in a Christ-centered way. Even the term “social justice” can be confusing and hotly debated. Catholic Social Teaching (CST), sometimes referred to as the Church’s best kept secret, can help cut through the noise and guide our service and ministry decisions when faced with competing agendas or politics. CST is a series of teachings informed by scripture and Catholic tradition that are intended to shape our consciences, help us build a just society, and nurture our growth in holiness. CST therefore helps us to understand our responsibility to our brothers and sisters, and in turn, helps us respond to need with informed action. 

Reminder: It is good practice to ask your parish priest should you require clarification on whether a charitable organization or service initiative conforms to our faith. 

     Because CST is a collection of principles informed by scripture and Catholic tradition that have been built upon throughout the history of the Church, there is not a definitive list of themes or tenets. Various sources typically include seven to ten principles that have been articulated through various Church documents, like papal encyclicals. The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, for instance, lists ten CST themes:  

1. Dignity of the Human Person  
2. Common Good  
3. Solidarity  
4. Preferential Option for the Poor  
5. Stewardship of Creation  
6. Subsidiarity  
7. Participation  
8. Rights & Responsibilities  
9. Economic Justice  
10. Peace  

1. Religious Freedom and Human Rights  
2. Citizenship and the Common Good  
3. Racism and Discrimination 
4. Economy  
5. Human Trafficking 
6. Refugees and Immigration 
7. Peace and Security  
8. Restorative Justice   
9. Environment  

“In situations strongly influenced by ideology, in which polarization obscured the awareness of a human dignity common to all, the Church affirmed clearly and forcefully that every individual — whatever his or her personal convictions — bears the image of God and therefore deserves respect.” St. John Paul II, Centesimus Annus,  22.  

     CST is intended to be integrated into our everyday political decisions and actions. However, many individuals may be challenged by CST as the Church does not prescribe specific or easily identifiable political positions or solutions for our social problems. Instead, the Church provides guiding principles – rooted in the awareness of everyone's inherent dignity – for moral thought and action, allowing the faithful to apply CST principles based on their own hearts and minds within their own cultural and historical circumstances. When making informed decisions it is important to rely on our reason, formed by scripture and tradition. When used alongside prayer, CST can help guide our decisions on everything from where we donate our money or what brands we buy to what projects, committees, or ministries we volunteer with.  

     Below you will find several sources to help familiarize yourself with Catholic Social Teaching. Just click on the link to be taken to the source.  
 

Catholic Social Teaching Sources   

NOTE: When learning about our Catholic understanding of service, solidarity, or charity, you will likely come across the term social justice. In our highly polarized society, social justice terms can sometimes be weaponized. If one of the sources challenges you, return to the primary documents referenced in the video or reading. As a reminder, CST is a series of principles meant to inform your conscience. Through prayer and discernment, everyone is responsible for integrating CST principles into their actions.  

Videos:  

• Catholic Social Teaching in Three Minutes 

• Social Teaching – Catholic Central  

• The One Thing Connecting All of Catholic Social Teaching  

• Catholic Social Teaching: Called to Charity and Justice  

• Complete History of Catholic Social Doctrine  

Websites:  

• Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Justice and Peace includes an overview of Scripture and Catholic social doctrine that can be applied to life in Canada.   

• Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis Education + Advocacy page includes a summary of Catholic Social teaching, major church documents, notable quotations and additional tools and resources. 

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers seven themes of Catholic Social teaching.  

• Catholic Relief Services, in partnership with the USCCB, presents CST 101: a 7-part guide on Catholic Social Teaching. 

• Blessed is She provides a round-up of social justice and pro-life resources to help navigate current social issues. 

Readings:  

• Summary of 10 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. 

• The ‘Complete History of Catholic Social Doctrine’ video above provides an overview of the past 100 years of Church writings on Catholic Social Teaching. If you are interested in reading the documents mentioned during the video, many can be found at the Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis Education + Advocacy page.  

• The Hamilton Diocese provides a letter on why “Informed Giving Good Intentions Are Not Enough”.  

Works of Mercy  

“The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbour in his spiritual and bodily necessities.” - The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2447 

     CST provides us with a framework by which to view social issues, community need, and our own actions. Like the “Social Justice” foot of the two-feet model of service suggested by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, CST should shape how we choose to tackle complicated and systemic issues in a Christ-centered way. In turn, the Acts of Mercy or “charitable works” foot offer concrete and tangible avenues of service and charity to address immediate needs. Works of Mercy are mentioned in scripture, principally through the teachings and words of Jesus. These acts of charity model how we should treat one another, by helping our neighbours when they are in need.  

“Thus, part of the teaching and most ancient practice of the Church is her conviction that she is obliged by her vocation – she herself, her ministers and each of her members – to relieve the misery of the suffering, both far and near, not only out of her ‘abundance’ but also out of her ‘necessities.’ Faced by cases of need, one cannot ignore them in favor of superfluous church ornaments and costly furnishings for divine worship; on the contrary it could be obligatory to sell these goods in order to provide food, drink, clothing and shelter for those who lack these things.” St. John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 31. 

Works of Mercy Resources  

For Children  

• Catholic Family Crate’s Acts of Mercy colouring pages  

Websites  

• Blessed is She has a blog post entitled “How to Practice the Works of Mercy as a Family.” The post includes a free downloadable checklist.  

• Salt + Light media offers practical suggestions for practicing the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy.  

• Catholic All Year Round has a blog post entitled “The Year of Mercy Family Challenge.” While the original post was intended to honour the Year of Mercy in 2016, the list provides plenty of inspiration for acts of mercy at any time.  

• Look to Him and Radiant has a blog post entitled “From Kids For Kids: Practical Ideas for the Works of Mercy.” This blog post was also written during 2016’s Year of Mercy but includes free printables that continue to be relevant for children today.  

• The Diocese of Allentown has a list of suggestions for practicing the acts of mercy.  

Videos  

• Wonders of His Mercy – the 14 Works of Mercy  

• What are the Works of Mercy?  

• The Catholic Works of Mercy (Corporal and Spiritual)  

Next Steps  

     Is your parish leadership team discerning a new service ministry? Have you received the go-ahead from your pastor to start an initiative but don’t know your next steps? Revive, a free online platform designed to help parish leaders learn, grow, and renew their parishes offers a course entitled “Loving and Serving the Poor.” The free course includes 2.5 hours of online instruction and a printable discussion guide that can be used by parish leadership. To learn more about the course click here. 

     Are you interested in learning about a particular community issue or connecting with a local community service provider? Contact the Family and Outreach office for help.  

Congratulations on your engagement! We are thrilled you are about to enter the beautiful vocation of marriage and we look forward to walking alongside you as you embark on this journey. This will be a very busy season filled with plans, excitement, and anticipation.  
 

A note on first contact: Once you have decided to get married, it is important that the first thing you do is contact your parish priest as soon as possible. If you do not regularly attend a parish in the Archdiocese of Kingston, or you live outside the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Kingston, please contact the Catholic church closest to where you live and to speak with the parish priest about your preparations. 

1. Contact your Parish Priest  

   In the Archdiocese of Kingston, we suggest that you contact your parish priest a minimum of six months before the date you wish to marry, though additional notice is preferable. Your parish priest will arrange a time to meet and discuss all the necessary steps to prepare you for your wedding day and marriage.  

For those who have been previously married it’s important you contact your parish priest as soon as possible. This applies even if your previous spouse has died, or if the previous marriage did not take place in the Catholic Church. 

As your first point of contact, your pastor will be able to guide you through the other steps and ensure that there is nothing that may prevent you from getting married in the Church. 

2. Provide the Proper Documentation  

Your parish priest will ensure you provide the proper documentation, including proof of age and recent baptismal certificates of the Catholic spouse(s). Baptismal certificates can be obtained by calling the church you were baptised at. Your parish priest will also have you fill out the required forms. If you reside outside of the Archdiocese of Kingston but will be marrying in one of our parishes, please factor in additional processing time for paperwork. 

3. Complete marriage preparation  

   Many couples spend the months leading up to their wedding focusing on the ceremony and reception details but the wedding day is only the beginning! The sacrament of marriage is a lifelong commitment and the Church wants you to prepare for it well. “Marriage prep” courses do not need to be treated as just another thing to be crossed off your wedding to-do list. Instead, couples should treat their marriage preparation as an opportunity to lay the foundation for a thriving and successful marriage beyond their wedding day. Topics may include the sacramental meaning of marriage, communication, finances, and natural family planning.  

Many parishes offer Marriage Preparation Courses as part of their marriage ministry. Please check with the parish where you will be married to see if they have a program available.  

 A note on online courses:  We understand that in some circumstances, couples are not able to attend pre-marriage courses in person. However, before signing up for any on-line pre-marriage course, you must speak to your pastor to ensure that the course you wish to take is approved by the archdiocese.  
 

4. Make time for any additional meetings.  

   You may need to attend additional meetings with your pastor to go over the wedding liturgy (how your wedding will be celebrated including prayers, readings, and music), finalize paperwork, or follow up after marriage prep. 

5.  Obtain a Civil Marriage License.  

   You will need to obtain a civil marriage license for your marriage to be recognized by the government. Your pastor should inform you when they need this document by. Please see the Province of Ontario website for details. 

Learn more about the Sacrament of Matrimony:  

• Bishop Barron on the Sacrament of Marriage  

• Father Mike Schmitz on Outdoor weddings 

• Planning a Catholic Wedding   

• National Liturgy Office’s The Order of Celebrating Matrimony  

• Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia: The Joy of Love  

• Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Sacrament of Marriage (1601-1666) 

• Code of Canon Law (cc. 1055-1165) 

• Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life

     If you are planning to marry in the Archdiocese of Kingston, please contact your parish priest at least six months before you anticipated wedding date to begin the marriage preparation process. 

     The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. the visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions. (CCC 1131)

Why do I have to complete marriage prep to get married in a Catholic Church?  

   Catholics believe that marriage is a sacrament, a sacred and visible sign and channel of grace that gives us a foretaste of God’s love for us while we are here on earth. Entering into a sacrament well requires preparation. 

    Marriage preparation courses help you better understand the sacramental meaning of marriage, evaluate and deepen your readiness for married life, and gain insight into yourselves as individuals and as a couple. Though marriage preparation may take different forms, the goal is always to prepare couples for marriage by helping them identify common pitfalls and offering strategies for success. Your marriage preparation may cover such topics as the sacramental meaning of marriage, communication, finances, and natural family planning.  

Pre-Marriage Courses by Deanery 

     Many of our parishes offer marriage preparation courses throughout the year. Please check with the parish where you will be married to see if they have a program available.  

Central Deanery

Courses Run each year:

• February – April (with Retreat on the 4th Saturday of April)

• September – November (with Retreat on the 4th Saturday of November)

Fee:  $150 / Couple  
Initial Contact: Your Parish Priest   
 For detailed course information, or to register for a session, please visit our website by clicking the link: https://sites.google.com/view/marriage-prep   

Northern Deanery 

Please contact your parish priest.
 

Eastern Deanery 

Please contact your parish priest.   
 

Western Deanery 

Please contact your parish priest. 

Online Courses Outside of the Archdiocese

On a case-by-case basis, a pastor may allow a couple to complete an online course to meet the marriage preparation requirements. Please contact your parish priest before enrolling/purchasing a course to ensure the online program meets requirements.  

• Catholic Engaged Encounter(English Canada East) 

  • February 7-8-9, 2025

  • April 4-5-6, 2025

  • June 6-7-8, 2025

  • October 17-18-19, 2025

  • *Pre-registration required 
    
    

• The Marriage Group $195 USD

  The Marriage Group provides online, self-paced Pre-Cana as well as an intro into NFP. The courses are offered in both English and Spanish and couples have the freedom to work through the courses at their own pace. With many subject-matter experts presenting the courses, engaged couples can witness and learn from other married couples in various walks of life. The courses are designed to form and equip couples to confidently enter into their sacred vocation, while living their faith in love.
  
  Beloved: Finding Happiness Through Marriage, free on FORMED through parish subscription.  

• Dynamic Catholic’s Better Together, no cost.

Agapè CatholicMarriagePrep.com is founded on the Theology of the Body by Saint John Paul II, offering personalized one-on-one mentoring facilitated by trained married couples. CatholicMarriagePrep.com invites couples to deepen their connection with each other and with Christ. Their goal is to facilitate meaningful discussions between future brides and grooms, helping them build a strong, healthy, and Christ-centered foundation for their marriage. The course is available in English, Spanish, and French. Register here!

Are you already married but looking to further strengthen your relationship?  

Worldwide Marriage Encounter 

     Worldwide Marriage Encounter is an ecumenical weekend program designed to help deepen married couples' communication and intimacy. It is an opportunity to spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life and to concentrate on each other as a couple. Please note the program is interdenominational.  

Information about Marriage Encounter can be found at www.wwme.org.

Upcoming in-person retreat weekends
Registration required  

 (Spring) April 26-28, 2024
Mt Carmel, Niagara Falls, ON 

(Fall) November 15-17, 2024
Mt Carmel, Niagara Falls, ON 

Dynamic Catholic’s Marriage Enrichment Resources   

Is your marriage struggling? 

Retrouvaille

     The Retrouvaille Program is designed to help married couples facing difficult challenges in their relationship, including separation and divorce.  To learn more, find upcoming dates, and to register for a weekend click here.

Upcoming In-Person Dates    
Registration required

Toronto January 19 - 21, 2024
London February 9 - 11, 2024
Hamilton March 8 - 10, 2024
Toronto April 5 - 8, 2024
Hamilton October 18 - 20, 2024

Marriages in Distress - Breakthrough 

• Identify conflict triggers 
• Learn strategies to de-escalate an argument
• Find constructive ways to re-establish connection 

Retrouvaille – A Lifeline for Married Couples

     The Retrouvaille Program is designed to help married couples facing difficult challenges in their relationship, including separation and divorce. To learn more, find upcoming dates, and to register for a weekend click here. 

Upcoming In-Person Dates
 Registration required 

Toronto January 19 - 21, 2024
London February 9 - 11, 2024
Hamilton March 8 - 10, 2024
Toronto April 5 - 8, 2024
Hamilton October 18 - 20, 2024

New Life Support Group
A Catholic Ministry for the Separated & Divorced

CURRENTLY ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Any individuals interested in taking on a leadership role can contact the family office: [email protected]

“The transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator It has always been a source of great joy to them, even though it sometimes entails many difficulties and hardships.” - Pope Paul VI, HUMANAE VITAE

     Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term used to describe the various natural methods of fertility regulation. NFP methods require reading the naturally occurring biological signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Such methods do not use drugs, devices, or surgical procedures to avoid pregnancy. When used correctly and with discernment, couples can use NFP to achieve or avoid pregnancy. The Church accepts NFP as a morally acceptable means for planning births and a tool for exercising parental responsibility within married and family life. 

To get started on your NFP journey and to learn about the various method, click here and here.

See below for four popular methods of NFP 
 

Billings Ovulation Method:  
Managing Fertility….The Healthy Alternative

     The Billings Ovulation teaches a woman to interpret her natural signs of fertility through all her changing life stages from puberty to menopause. It is easy to learn and is highly successful when used by a couple to achieve or avoid a pregnancy. This method engenders co-operation and respect between the woman and man. It develops love and concern for each other and for the child, thus enriching their relationship.

     In Kingston, we have a Natural Family Planning Association office. Their teachers are available for Fertility Awareness presentations for teens, pre-marriage talks, parish information sessions and individual teaching appointments, in-person or virtually.

For more information on Billings:
WOOMB Canada
Kingston Area Practitioner
Kingston Natural Family Planning
Phone: 613-544-8495
Email: [email protected]

Serena Natural Family Planning –
The Sympto-Thermal Method

     In the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM), the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle are identified by observing the woman’s morning temperature, cervical mucus (secretions that flow from the cervix to the vaginal opening during certain parts of the cycle), and, optionally, variations in the position, consistency and opening of the cervix.

     Couples are taught to observe and chart these natural changes in the woman’s body to determine when she is naturally fertile of infertile. Then they abstain from intercourse during the fertile time if they wish to avoid pregnancy.

For more information on Serena and to find an instructor in your area:
Serena Ontario
Phone: (613) 728-6536
Email: [email protected]

Other Eastern Ontario Sympto-Thermal Instructor:
Ellen and James Hrkach, NFP Teachers (Couple to Couple League)
Online Instruction, Eastern Ontario
[email protected]

The Creighton Model (CrM) – NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology)

     The Creighton Model (CrM) uses a woman’s observations of her cervical fluid or mucus to identify the fertile and infertile times of her cycle. By observing these changes, couples can decide when to have sexual relations, depending on whether they are trying to achieve or avoid pregnancy.

More information on Creighton Model
Creighton Model
Fertility Care Centres of America

Ottawa Area Practitioner
Lisa Detillieux BSc, CFCP
Email: [email protected]

Toronto Area Practitioner
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Fertility Care* sees patients virtually
Phone: 416-465-2868
Email: [email protected] 

Marquette Model

     The Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning uses the Clearblue Fertility Monitor (instead of cervical mucus) to identify the fertile days in a woman’s cycle. Women simply test their urinary hormone levels once each day and record the result on their chart. Marquette also has optional protocols to integrate mucus tracking, temperature reading, and urinary progesterone testing into the method.  Learn more about the Marquette Method here.

     The method is taught by healthcare professionals—physicians and nurses—who are trained through the Marquette Institute for Natural Family Planning at Marquette University, a Catholic, Jesuit university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For more information on the Marquette Method:
Marquette University
Vitae Fertility  

Online Instruction (Ontario Only)
Totally Yours Family Medicine

Online Instruction (USA Based)
Feminine Genius Ministries
Vitae Fertility 
Whole Mission 

Instructor Database
Marquette Method of NFP Teachers Directory

Other Reproductive Health Resources

Fruitful Hollow – Catholic Infertility Resource

Dr. Christina Holmquist, ND
Experience treating patients with infertility and hormonal health concerns
Online – Ontario
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Marianne Trevorrow ND
NFP support with Chart Neo App, Restorative Reproductive approaches for couples trying to conceive, & post-miscarriage support  
Kingston & Ottawa Area Practitioner
Email: [email protected]


Pearl and Thistle
NFP resources for families and parishes, charting for girls and single women, Boston Cross
Check method support
Online, USA-based

    A note on NFP practitioners: Inclusion on the list does not imply that the Archdiocese of Kingston has endorsed the efficacy of any service offered by the private NFP or reproductive health practitioner. We cannot guarantee that you will be satisfied with each practitioner or the services offered. It is solely your responsibility to find out whether a practitioner possesses the qualities and qualifications that are most important to you. The field of NFP is constantly evolving. As such, we do not intend for this resource guide to be exhaustive and it may not be up to date. The information provided was current as of February 2022.

Recommended Reading 

The following books have been recommended by the lay faithful of our archdiocese. We hope they will be a blessing to you and your family. 

•    The Sinner's Guide to Natural Family Planning by Simcha Fisher
•    Sex Au Naturel by Patrick Coffin and Peter Kreeft 
•    The Contraception Deception by Patrick Coffin
•    Holy Sex! By Gregory Popcak
•    Good News about Sex and Marriage by Christopher West

Additional Resources for Couples, Priests, and Lay Ministers: 

Lent

The Ultimate Guide to Lent from Fr. Mike

Lenten Family Calendar

Lent 101

Be A Heart Lenten Guide

Holy Week Family Traditions Booklet

Through the Year

October Month of the Most Holy Rosary

Blessings for Backpacks

Our Lady of Sorrows

May Crowning at Home

Solemnities 

The Solemnity of
St. Joseph, March 19th

5 Ways to Celebrate 
the Solemnity of St. Joseph 

Solemnity of the Annunciation, March 25th 

6 Ways to Celebrate the Annunciation

     Since 1994, a World Meeting of Families has been held every three years in different places around the world. The gathering of families includes discussions pertaining to family life, a vigil, and the Festival of Families, along with a great Eucharistic celebration. The 10th World Meeting of Families: “Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness” will be held in Rome June 22nd – 26th, 2022. Families will be able to watch livestreams of the events in Rome, but we are also encouraging parishes to plan family centric events June 19th – 26th in our Archdiocese. We have compiled a number of links and resources on this page to help with your planning. 

Daily Reflections

Upcoming Event: Family Mass & Picnic

     You are cordially invited to celebrate the 10th World Meeting of Families on June 26th, 2022. Please join us for 10:30am Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston. Pack a lunch and walk or drive to City Park after mass to picnic with other families from across the Archdiocese. Soccer games for various age groups will be organized from 1:00 – 3:45pm. All are welcome! Only street parking is available, so please plan ahead and consider carpooling. 

Parishes & families are invited to participate in the various events of WMF virtually via live streaming. 

EWTN’s live coverage schedule of the “World Meeting of Families”

Rome from June 22-26, 2022

The meeting concludes the Year of Amoris Laetitia, a celebration of families in honor of the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Amoris Laetitia or The Joy of Love

Full Program

Resources

• World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Guide for Parishes and the Home

• CCCB Resource Page for WMoF (English)

• CCCB Resource Page for WMoF (French)

• Vatican Resource Page for WMoF 

• Parish Toolkit

• Rosary for the Family

World Day for the Grandparents and the Elderly

Pastoral Toolkit from CCCB

Message from CCCB

Catechesis for Families and Parishes
 

Daily Prayers and Activities
for Families and Parishes 

Pastoral Suggestions for Mass

Pastoral Toolkit Suggestions for Use

October Newsletter 2024
 

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