Chapter 12 Marrying: Finding a Life Partner Sacrament: a) an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace to give grace b) a symbolic, communal action whereby one b) a symbolic, communal action whereby one shares in the life of God through Jesus. (7 Major) shares in the life of God through Jesus. (7 Major) c) an outer expression of a deeper, inner reality c) an outer expression of a deeper, inner reality (Grace: the favor, help, or good will or gift of God by which one is internally sanctified, or blessed to be more holy: whole, complete)

Finding That One Special Person/Partner for Life Communication: Honest and Open Relating: Listening and Responding Authentically Sacrament of Marriage/Holy Matrimony: Sacrament of Marriage/Holy Matrimony: a public sign that one gives oneself totally a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values: OT/Xt Covenant: a) deeply, personal, solemn promise b) formal, binding agreement/promise/contract b) formal, binding agreement/promise/contract

Many older Catholics will still remember the very brief definition from the Baltimore Catechism (1941): "A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace."Many older Catholics will still remember the very brief definition from the Baltimore Catechism (1941): "A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace." The current official Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994; 2nd edition 1997), gives a slightly more complete definition: "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; see also "Sacrament" in the CCC's Glossary).The current official Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994; 2nd edition 1997), gives a slightly more complete definition: "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; see also "Sacrament" in the CCC's Glossary).

Chapter 13 Growth in Marriage The Blessings of Family Life

Seasons of a Marriage (Text Pages 243—250) And they live happily ever after! Really?And they live happily ever after! Really? Not exactly…Not exactly… Reality: happiness requires work happiness is not automatic happiness is not automatic Marriage is always a “work in progress.”

Marriage is a dynamic relationship with Seasons of struggle and satisfactionSeasons of struggle and satisfaction Sorrow and JoySorrow and Joy Calling for constant growing and adjustingCalling for constant growing and adjusting

Veteran marriage partners exude a rich sense of peace.Veteran marriage partners exude a rich sense of peace. It is the fruit of years spent sharing and supporting each other through high points and low points of existence.It is the fruit of years spent sharing and supporting each other through high points and low points of existence.

Traditional type of family: mother and father married, living together, and raising children together. Not the only kind of family that is wonderful to grow up in.

A blended A blended family—in which children from two former marriages combine into a new family with one parent from each marriage—can be healthy and nurturing, as can a family headed by a single parent. And there are other loving family combinations

A great deal of development goes on throughout the years in all marriages: a) in the couple’s relationship with each other; a) in the couple’s relationship with each other; b) in their roles as parents; b) in their roles as parents; c) in their individual lives as persons and professionals. c) in their individual lives as persons and professionals.

A developmental pattern seems to emerge in most marriages that involve children, a pattern that can be thought of as seven seasons of a marriage: 1)Blissful Beginnings: Years One and Two 2) Becoming Domestic: Years Three to Five 3) Time of Decision: Years Six to Twelve 4) Strength and Renewal: Years Thirteen to Eighteen 5) Midlife Transitions: Years Nineteen to Twenty-three 6) On Their Own Again: Years Twenty-four to Forty 7) Growing Old Together: Years Forty-one and Beyond! (See textbook page 244 for more info!)