Family Life Committee |
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This committee is one of four permanent committees of the parish, the others being Education, Sacred Worship and Social Concerns. The Family Life Committee assists the Pastoral Council in fostering Christian family life. Among its concerns are:
Cathedral
Marriage Policy
All Catholic parishes throughout the state adhere to the
Wisconsin Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage Preparation. Besides requirements established by the Code
of Canon Law, the Wisconsin Guidelines prepare couples for marriage in three
stages:
Detailed marriage preparation information will be made
available to couples upon their initial visit with our pastor. Couples who intend to be married should
contact the pastor at the time of their formal engagement or at least six
months prior to the anticipated date of marriage. In case of a marriage of mixed religion, the
non-Catholic party must arrange to receive instructions about the Catholic faith
prior to the marriage. Marriages are not
ordinarily celebrated during the Lenten Season.
The
Marriage Preparation Program
A diocesan marriage preparation program has been developed for couples to be married at the Cathedral. Twice a year, in the Spring and the Fall, this Friday-night and all-day-Saturday program is offered to the engaged. The program consists of an interactive format which invites couples to examine the fundamental components of the sacrament of Matrimony:
With the assistance of our own parish leadership couples, an opportunity is provided for reflection, dialogue and prayer. The weekend experience concludes with the 5:10 pm Mass on Saturday, at which time the engaged couples come forward to receive a blessing in front of the worshipping assembly.
Health Ministry
Our parish nurse assists in promoting healthy living, coordinates nursing home outreach, and helps in hosting blood drives at the Cathedral.
Marriage Enrichment
Each year the parish invites couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, and 60 years of marriage to an evening of enrichment. The evening consists of the celebration of the 5:10 Mass, the renewal of marriage vows, a brief social and a dinner in their honor.
Ministry of Care
Through this ministry we intentionally reach out to the
homebound and those in nursing homes in order to visit with them and bring them
Communion on a routine basis. In an
average month, the ministers touch the lives of over 100 of our parishioners
through this outreach.
We also offer information annually on end-of-life issues on
the weekend called Compassion Sabbath. Each
November we sponsor an Evening of Remembrance which honors the memory of all
those whose funerals were held at the Cathedral the previous year plus the
close relatives of parishioners who died during that time.
Ministry of Praise
The homebound are given an opportunity to pray daily for the
intentions of the parish through this commissioned ministry. Booklets of prayers and a crucifix are given
to the participants. Commissioning takes
place in the church or in individual homes. The parish receives great blessings through
this unique ministry.
Newcomers/Welcoming Committee
Twice a year we invite people who routinely come to our
parish for Sunday Mass to register as parishioners. We then follow up with them by personal
contact and invite them to our Annual Newcomers’ Picnic each September.
Vocations Committee
Prayers are provided and special events are celebrated in
order to promote religious vocations among our parishioners.
Youth Ministry
With this program we hope to bring young people to an authentic experience of a faith community, rooted in sacred Scripture and built around the richness of the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church. It is also a program in which the participants experience mutual values associated with service to others. Activities of the Cathedral Youth Program are overseen by a youth minister. |