{"id":4900,"date":"2013-11-29T11:02:00","date_gmt":"2013-11-29T11:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/minnesota-diocese-to-soon-launch-year-of-marriage\/"},"modified":"2013-11-29T11:02:00","modified_gmt":"2013-11-29T11:02:00","slug":"minnesota-diocese-to-soon-launch-year-of-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2013\/11\/minnesota-diocese-to-soon-launch-year-of-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota diocese to soon launch ‘Year of Marriage’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Vatican City, Nov 29, 2013 \/ 04:02 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- In the wake of Minnesota legalizing same-sex marriage earlier in 2013, the Diocese of Crookston will begin a year dedicated to a renewed appreciation and a better understanding of the married life.<\/p>\n

\tAmanda Zurface, the diocese's coordinator of Marriage, Family Life, and Evangelization, described the outreach as an \u201copportunity for many to heal from the difficulties and challenges of this past year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe 12-month initiative aims to help locals \u201cgrow, and even be challenged to better understand the truth, the joy and beauty of the meaning and importance of marriage, human sexuality and family life \u2013 all without a timeline to follow and a vote to be cast at the end,\u201d she told CNA Nov. 19.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI feel this year will truly provide opportunities for all of us; and for our hearts to be moved so as to arrive at a deeper understanding of God\u2019s design for marriage, without having to worry about a vote, but about how to align the posture of our hearts and intellects with the Truth,\u201d she noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tFollowing its approval by the Minnesota legislature, a bill changing the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples was signed by Democratic Governor Mark Dayton into law on May 14 \u2013 making Minnesota the 12th state to redefine the institution.<\/p>\n

\tZurface explained that \u201cA 'Year of Marriage' in the Diocese of Crookston was in the works before the traditional definition of marriage was officially being challenged in the State of Minnesota and before the legislation ever happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tNevertheless, she noted, \u201cGod\u2019s timing is always perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThrough a series of diocesan events including conferences, retreats, and increased prayer opportunities, Crookston\u2019s Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner and the Office of the New Evangelization hope to offer \u201ca creative and exciting way to provide a setting for the people to learn more deeply about God's design for marriage and family\u2026 and to do it together as a community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe must emphasize in this moment that a political question can reduce marriage to something less than what it is, and the polls taken do not fully convey people's varying degrees of understanding for the dignity and essence of marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt is our task as \u2018Church\u2019 to rebuild that,\u201d she underscored.<\/p>\n

\tBeyond a political framework, Zurface and her collaborators hope \u201cto share the truth of marriage and to show that marriage reflects a very deep immutable reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tWhen asked what she believes the biggest obstacle to marriage is, Zurface spoke of the \u201cneed for a true understanding of masculinity and femininity both within marriage and outside of marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tAdditionally, she noted, there is a general \u201clack of preparation\u201d for couples entering into the sacrament.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt\u2019s getting better,\u201d she added hopefully. \u201cWe\u2019re starting earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThis year, the diocese hopes that people will start talking more about marriage. This means that even children will have a kind of \u201cremote preparation\u201d for successful relationships one day. It begins, says Zurface, \u201cby teaching kids how to really love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cAt the same time, this is an opportunity for us to talk about the deep, deep love and respect Christ and His Church has for all people, regardless of whether they are married, single, divorced, have same-sex attraction, experience sexual brokenness, and the list goes on,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThis year provides us with an opportunity to discuss honestly how we are all called to approach our sexuality in virtuous ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe Year of Marriage will begin on December 1 with a mass celebrated by Bishop Hoeppner, including the blessing of an original Byzantine Icon of the Holy Family written exclusively for the Diocese of Crookston's year-long celebration of Marriage.<\/p>\n

\tThose who make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral within the Year so as to venerate the icon will receive a partial indulgence.<\/p>\n

\tFor couples preparing to be married, the diocese\u2019s newly created Office of Marriage and Family Life is planning to enhance the formation currently offered.<\/p>\n

\tSeveral retreats will be held throughout the year, including one for men entitled \u201cRadiant Fatherhood\u201d and another for married couples, \u201cBlessed are the Married.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tOther events include presentations on topics like \u201c7 Keys to a Holy, Healthy Marriage,\u201d and \u201cPaschal Suffering & the Sacrament of Marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tParishes and deaneries throughout the diocese will hold local events: Zurface and her co-workers plan to use social media like facebook and twitter as platforms for keeping people up-to-date on all the activities.<\/p>\n

\tThe year will culminate with a diocesan marriage congress that includes keynote speaker Fr. Thomas Loya and Catholic recording artist Danielle Rose.<\/p>\n

\tMore information can be found at Crookston\u2019s Year of Marriage website: http:\/\/www.crookston.org\/yom\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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Vatican City, Nov 29, 2013 \/ 04:02 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- In the wake of Minnesota legalizing same-sex marriage earlier in 2013, the Diocese of Crookston will begin a year dedicated to a renewed appreciation and a better understanding of the married life…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vatican"],"yoast_head":"\nMinnesota diocese to soon launch 'Year of Marriage'<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Vatican City, Nov 29, 2013 \/ 04:02 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- In the wake of Minnesota legalizing same-sex marriage earlier in 2013, the Diocese of Crookston will begin a year dedicated to a renewed appreciation and a better understanding of the married life...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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