Recursos Vida em Família
Apoiando casais e famílias em todas as fases da vida através de recursos e workshops (Em inglês e espanhol).
Biografia de Liz Cotrupi
Liz é antes de tudo, uma filha de Deus. Ela é casada com seu melhor amigo, Tony, e gosta muito de poder contar sua ajuda na preparação de casais para o casamento. Ela tem três filhos adultos e ama ser a “Nana” para seus netos. Liz começou a servir em seu ministério quando seus filhos eram ainda pequenos, como muitas mães fazem. Eventualmente, seu pároco pediu que ela administrasse o programa de formação da fé do high school. Munida de um diploma de bacharel em administração pelo Worcester State College, ela sabia que precisava de mais teologia. Depois de certificados em catequese e pastoral juvenil, ela se mudou para obter seu mestrado em estudos teológicos no Seminário de São João de Boston. Antes de vir para a Arquidiocese de Boston em 2016, Liz foi diretora do ministério de jovens e jovens adultos da Diocese de Worcester. Ela foi abençoada por servir na equipe do Cursilho, liderar peregrinações a locais marianos e viagens missionárias locais e no exterior.
Liz Cotrupi
Diretora de Vida Familiar e Movimentos Eclesiais
Entre em contato com Liz
Biografia de Emily Elliott
Emily Elliott ingressou no Office of Lifelong Faith Formation & Parish Support em 2014 como associada de operações, após um hiato na carreira de marketing de alta tecnologia enquanto criava seus cinco filhos com seu esposo Jim, na qual é casada há 28 anos. Emily serviu em vários ministérios em sua paróquia, St. Mary of the Sacred Heart em Hanover; nos fins de semana ela serviu no Cursilho; e como voluntária católica da Prisão Estadual de Framingham. Ela também atuou como facilitadora de grupos de estudo de mulheres e frequentemente fala nas paróquias sobre o poder da oração. Seu papel atual como consultora de vida familiar conecta seu amor pela evangelização e todas as coisas relacionadas à família, especialmente na coordenação de workshops de preparação para o casamento Transformed in Love, onde ela frequentemente serve ao lado de seu esposo, Jim. Emily está trabalhando em seu mestrado em Teologia e Ministério Cristão pela Franciscan University. Ela tem uma devoção especial a Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, a quem ela dá o crédito no cuidado da maioria de suas petições de mãe, juntamente com as confidentes Santa Teresa de Lisieux, Santa Faustina, Santa Catarina de Sena e São Padre Pio – todos que a conduzem para mais perto de Jesus. Emily ama rezar o terço, estar com seu grupo de oração sisters-in-Christ, café com leite forte, música country e experimentar receitas salgadas na cozinha. Ela fica mais feliz quando todos os seus filhos (Jake, Matthew, Grace, Mary e Benjamin) estão em casa com ela e Jim, e eles partem o pão juntos.
Emily Elliott
Consultora de Vida Familiar
Entre em contato com Emily
Biografia de Kathryn Griffin
Kathryn foi criada em uma grande (13 crianças!) e amorosa família católica na costa sul de Boston. Até hoje, ela ainda more lá com seu com seu amado esposo, Tom, e seus dois lindos meninos, Thomas e Luke. Sua educação a ajudou a aprender a lidar com diferentes habilidades, temperamentos e situações, tornando-a flexível, relacionável e compassiva. Começando na escola primária, Kathryn foi formada na fé através de sua educação paroquial e católica. Formada em teologia, Kathryn se formou no St. Anselm College em 2005 e atualmente está matriculada no programa de Mestrado em Artes no Seminário St. John. Kathryn também possui certificação em trabalhos com Pessoas com Deficiências da Universidade de Dayton e é certificada como instrutora no programa VIRTUS/Protecting God’s Children program.
Como católica fiel e apaixonada por Cristo e Sua Igreja, Kathryn serve a Arquidiocese de Boston há mais de quinze anos. Primeiro, como professora de teologia e ministra do campus, Kathryn serviu em escolas de ensino fundamental e médio de Boston por 9 anos. A partir daí, Kathryn passou para o trabalho paroquial como ministra da juventude e como coordenadora de crisma na paróquia do South Shore.
Em 2014, Kathryn seguiu o chamado de Deus para servir Sua Igreja com a equipe do Escritório de Formação de Fé ao Longo da Vida e Apoio Paroquial. Ela ocupou muitos cargos em seu escritório – desde consultoria com paróquias sobre evangelização e discipulado, até aconselhamento de líderes de formação da fé sobre a formação de crianças e agora servindo como consultora de vida familiar. Kathryn aprecia todas as suas oportunidades de servir a Jesus e a Arquidiocese de Boston com sua equipe de discípulos fiéis. Ela gosta especialmente de seu trabalho com casais de noivos enquanto eles se preparam para o casamento, bem como seus esforços para liderar um ministério arquidiocesano com pessoas com deficiência e seu serviço aos marginalizados.
Entre seus outros “amores”, Kathryn é devota de Nossa Senhora e reza o Rosário diariamente. Ela gosta especialmente de cozinhar comida deliciosa para sua família, passar tempo com seus irmãos e pais em grandes eventos familiares, dançar na cozinha, karaokê e, por último, mas não menos importante, a praia!
Kathryn Griffin
Consultora de Vida Familiar
Entre em contato com Kathryn
Eight Steps For Engaged Couples
Congratulations on your engagement! Preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony is an exciting time. Each parish may have guidelines to prepare a couple for marriage, but we offer these best practices as a guide:
- Meet with your parish priest, deacon, or marriage coordinator – Soon after you become engaged contact your parish to make an appointment. If you are not currently attending a parish, you could try contacting a parish nearby or one recommended by a friend. If you are getting married in a church outside of the archdiocese, first contact that parish to determine whether it would be better for you to prepare for marriage locally or from a distance. At your first meeting, you will often fill out preliminary paperwork, discuss what documents are needed, and learn what comes next.
- Take a pre-marital inventory (PMI) – A pre-marital inventory is usually a digital questionnaire that each of you complete separately. The questions cover a variety of topics including communication, lifestyle expectations, finances, parenting, religion, etc. The report is a great tool to explore your strengths as a couple and those areas that may require further attention. This resource is meant to be a discussion starter and is usually facilitated by the priest/deacon/mentor couple. Ask if the parish has a trained facilitator and if this service is not provided, you can access a free survey from Dynamic Catholic’s Better Together Inventory.
- Meet with a mentor couple at your parish and/or collaborative – Parishes often have married couples that mentor the newly engaged. The mentor couple can connect you to the local community, share their experience, and pray for you as you journey into married life. If there is no formal mentor program, ask the priest to suggest a married couple to connect with.
- Sign up and attend Transformed in Love – Transformed in Love is the marriage preparation program of the Archdiocese of Boston. During the workshop, you and your future spouse will hear from different couples on marriage related topics. See the marriage prep page for a list of locations and dates.
- Learn more about the fertility awareness and the methods of natural family planning – Understanding fertility awareness and the natural methods available to achieve and postpone pregnancy for just reasons can be overwhelming if you do not have the correct information necessary to make an informed choice. Although there is an introductory talk in Transformed in Love, we suggest you consider taking a course online or talk with a local instructor to learn more. Follow this link for Love’s Perfect Design: A Guide to Understanding Fertility Awareness. To connect with an NFP instructor, click here.
- Go to Confession – The Sacrament of Reconciliation, otherwise known as Confession, is a sacrament of love and healing. For more information about this powerful and necessary sacrament, click here.
- Meet with the priest, deacon, or parish marriage coordinator again – Follow up meetings are an opportunity to get to know the priest or deacon who is officiating at your wedding and a good time to discuss concerns, get the paperwork in order, plan your wedding liturgy, and ask any questions.
- Pray, breathe, and enjoy the journey – This should be a wonderful experience for you both. Don’t let the details overwhelm you. Remember, the wedding is one day, your marriage lasts a lifetime.
Marriage Enrichment + Support
Taking the time to invest in your marriage is extremely important. The health of your relationship impacts your happiness and the well-being of any children. Whether things are going well and you’re just looking for an enriching experience or if you’re having difficulties and are looking for help, we hope you find something here that may be of assistance to you.
Love in a Lockdown: Communication and Conflict Resolution
Clinical psychologist Dr. Greg Kolodziejczak spoke to our guests during National Marriage Week, offering practical tools to improve couple’s communication and conflict resolution skills during the pandemic. To view the seminar, click here.
De Matrimonio Civil a Matrimonio Sacramental
To learn more about moving from civil marriage to a sacramental marriage through the process of convalidation watch this video.
Recursos (Apenas em Inglês)
Below are several resources to support married couples in their vocation.
- ForYourMarriage.org
- Por Tu Matrimonio
- Worldwide Marriage Encounter
- Messy Family Project
- Becoming Love Podcast
- Be Light Date Night Series
- Raising 8 Podcast
If you are a Vietnamese couple interested in a Marriage Family Enrichment Program (MFEP) also known as Chuong Trinh Thang Tien Hon Nhan Gia Dinh, visit here for more information.
For Couples Having Difficulty
- Support for Troubled Marriages
- Overcoming Adversity
- Retrouvaille Weekend Program
- Upcoming Boston-based weekend – May 6-8, 2022. For more info on this retreat, email here.
For a list of Christian/Catholic counselors and resources in or near the Boston area, please contact a Family Life staff member.
10th, 25th, and 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass
We are excited to announce that the Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass was held on November 7, 2021. Cardinal Seán O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. presided over the Mass for couples celebrating their 10th, 25th, and 50th wedding anniversaries. The Mass included a wedding vow renewal and special blessing by the Cardinal. Families were invited to attend.
Stay tuned for updates on the 2022 Wedding Anniversary Mass. If you need more information in the interim, contact Emily Elliott.
To view pictures from the 2021 celebration, visit here.
2019 Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass
Divorced + Separated Catholics
Support Group
A support group meets weekly during the evening at St. Augustine Parish in North Andover. For more information, visit here or email Klara Vajda.
For more information on programs, support groups, and additional resources, please access this PDF.
A list of local and telehealth Catholic/Christian psychologists and counselors is available by contacting a member of the Family Life team.
Webinar – After Divorce: Healing From The Inside Out
A virtual seminar for the Archdiocese of Boston featuring Catholic author and presenter, Rose Sweet. We invite you to view the program here, for encouragement, guidance and practical support.
For information related to annulments, contact the Tribunal here.
Natural Family Planning
NFP is an umbrella term for natural methods used to achieve or avoid pregnancy that protect God’s plan for spousal love. These methods are based on the observation and interpretation of the naturally occurring biological markers of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. NFP is distinct from calendar rhythm, is applicable to all women, and can be used at any stage of a woman’s reproductive life.
Marriage Prep
If the priest or deacon preparing you for marriage requests that you receive an introduction to NFP, the archdiocesan program Transformed in Love is a great place to begin.
For dates and locations of Transformed in Love, please click here.
NFP Week Webinars
Method Match: How to Choose a Natural Fertility Awareness Method That Works for You!
Two local certified NFP instructors, Christina Valenzuela and Mikayla Dalton, were joined by Dr. Patricia Jay, GYN in an interactive webinar to help couples navigate the crowded field of fertility awareness methods, apps, and tools. Whether you are new to NFP or looking to make a method switch, this webinar is a helpful tool. Watch the recording here.
All Things NFP Q & A Webinar. Six Natural Family Planning experts in their fields answered participants questions ranging from methods, reproductive disorders, effectiveness, conceiving, and moral dilemmas, etc. To view the recording, click here.
NFP – What Is It and Why Does the Church Support It? Click here to view this recording for our Spanish speaking audience featuring Dr. Pilar Calva, Dr. Francisco Vargas, and NFP Instructor, Alicia Javier.
Why Use Natural Family Planning?
Consider it because it utilizes natural methods that respect God’s plan for bonding and babies; it is a completely healthy way to plan a family because no chemical or physical barriers are used; the modern methods of NFP are evidenced based, boasting a correct use efficacy rate from 97-99.6% that competes with artificial means; and it is holistic. Fertility awareness through the lens of NFP respects the WHOLE person – physical, mental, spiritual, and intellectual. It fosters intimacy between a husband and wife because it invites a husband to be an active, caring, and knowledgeable participant in a couple’s intimate reality, their fertility. To learn more, read our brief booklet – Love’s Perfect Design: A Guide to Understanding Fertility Awareness. English | Español .
How Do I or We Learn NFP?
Included in our Guide is a list of national organizations offering a number of different methods to meet the needs of each woman or couple. You could start by reading the Guide; view one of the recorded webinars found on this page; or use the NFP Instruction list provided to contact one of the many local certified instructors or national organizations through the NFP Instruction List 2022.
Where Should Someone Go for Help with Reproductive Health Concerns or Infertility?
If you are suffering from a reproductive health issue the science of NaPro Technology may help. This is an effective and alternate approach versus the traditional practice of using artificial hormones or IVF.
NaPro Technology (Natural Procreative Technology) networks NFP with the treatment of reproductive disorders and infertility. NaPro Technology is a new reproductive science that cooperates with the reproductive systems in producing a treatment that corrects the condition, and sustains the procreative potential. It respects the dignity of women, the integrity of marriage, and the conjugal act.
NaPro Technology was developed at the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction. It is delivered through the services of trained medical doctors and Creighton/Fertility Care NFP teachers. For more information, on NaProTechnology visit www.popepaulvi.com or contact a Creighton/Fertility Care NFP teacher on the NFP Instruction List above.
One day soon, we pray there will be more health care providers that offer these services. Until then, many in the New England area suggest visiting:
Women’s Wellness & Fertility Center in Manchester, NH for NaproTechnology, Infertility, Obstetrics, and Gynecology:
88 McGregor Street, Suite 201
Manchester NH 03102 603.314.7595
For a holistic approach to couples suffering with infertility and a free fertility health assessment, visit Organic Conceptions.
If you have lost a child for any reason or at any stage of life, please accept our deepest condolences. Consider RedBird.love or Emmaus Ministries for support.
Virtual Rosary for Couples Struggling with Infertility, Difficult Pregnancies, or Infant Loss.
On the feasts of Sts. Anne and Joachim, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fr. Ed Riley reflected on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Together we meditated on these mysteries while praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with infertility, difficult pregnancies, or the loss of a child. Watch the recording here.
For a list of resources and information for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, click here.
Transformed In Love Team Training
Transformed in Love is the marriage preparation resource developed by a dedicated group of married couples, theologians, psychologists, canon lawyers, priests, deacons, and staff under the direction of Cardinal Seán O’Malley.
This instrument of evangelization thoughtfully combines the practical with the theological through the implementation of hands-on activities, personal witness, and spiritual reflection. It is meant to be one piece of the catechumenate model to marriage ministry.
If you are a married couple, deacon, or priest being called to serve in this special ministry, we encourage you to learn more through this workshop. The next one will be held in Spring of 2022.
Until our next workshop, you can learn more from our Transformed in Love Leader Guide here. It is available in English and Spanish.
Transformados en el Amor Team Training will be offered again in 2022. Our September 2021 workshop was a great success with 30+ members of the Hispanic community in attendance.
For more information on Transformados en el Amor, contact Liz Cotrupi or Ir. Elsa Narvaez Rodriguez for assistance in español.
Click here for the complete list of Transformed in Love resources in English and Spanish. Please note that there is special pricing available for parishes and retreat centers of the Boston Archdiocese. If you have questions about the materials or program, please call Liz Cotrupi @ 617-746-5801.
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