Diocese celebrates National Marriage Week by offering online workshop for couples

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SALT LAKE CITY — As the pandemic continues to rage, newly married couples may find life especially difficult as they work to forge that new relationship in this strange environment. To address these concerns and well as those of couples with more mature relationships, the Diocese of Salt Lake City is sponsoring a workshop as part of its celebration of National Marriage Week.

The week, Feb. 7-14, is sponsored by the USCCB. The diocesan Respect for Life Commission and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women are working together on the project.

“Couples Check-in: Strategies for troubled times,” a Zoom presentation, will help couples navigate the challenges they face. The presentation, by Andrew and Terri Lykes, will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 2 to 4:45 p.m. The Lykes, who have been married since 1975, have spent more than 30 years in marriage ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago and are the founders of Arusi Network, which works to strengthen the institution of marriage in the African-American community.

 “Families are sheltered in from work and school; our children are experiencing as much anxiety and depression as their parents, who are not experiencing church as a source of support as we knew it,” Terri Lykes said. “This virtual workshop validates their feelings and provides tools for communication, fellowship with other couples and individual couple exercises.”

The Zoom link for the presentation is 711 714 6379, password Wed. If there are problems with the Zoom link, information will be posted at https://www.dioslc.org/respect-for-life/support-for-marriage-and. There is no cost to participate.

After the workshop, Bishop Oscar A. Solis will conduct a remote renewal of vows ceremony at 5 p.m.

Along with the workshop, the organizers are suggesting that couples spend some time each day focusing on their marriage. (Some suggested themes and resources are outlined at right). In many parishes there will be Masses in celebration of marriage, particularly on Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

“National Marriage Week is about bringing conversations about marriage and family life into the foreground,” said Catherine Stokes, chairperson of the diocesan Respect for Life Commission. “It’s an invitation to think about our wedding vows, and how we are living them out. It’s a time for nurturing relationships, for building up our Church, for thanksgiving, and for finding better ways to live in the midst of challenges.”