Dear Parishioners,
In the first chapters of the first book of the bible, Genesis, we see God establishing the marital relationship between man and woman. The purpose is procreation and support of one another which is what the Catholic Church still teaches today. So is it any wonder that John’s gospel (John 2:1-11) has Jesus performing the first of his signs (miracles) at a wedding in Cana? While turning water into wine is awesome, this miracle points to a more important sign. The water (Old Covenant), while good, pales in comparison to the wine (New Testament), which brings joy and spirit to the feast of life.
Still today would be a good time to reflect on marriage because it is under attack from many sides. There are those who think it an old-fashioned concept, so they simply co-habit or live together. There are others who are afraid of commitment. There are still others who have seen the ravages of divorce and don’t want to risk failure or the pain it would cause possible offspring should a divorce occur. Many so-called experts believe marriage is not worth the effort. However, a new book, using a great number of studies, provides statistics that show otherwise. It’s entitled, “The Case for Marriage,” by Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher. The book contends that married people live longer, have better health, earn more money, feel more fulfillment in their lives and have happier, more successful children than those who remain single, co-habit, or get divorced. According to the Wall Street Journal - “Makes the absolutely critical point that marriage has been misrepresented and misunderstood.”
By the way, there is a retreat for married couples sponsored by Elaine & Frank Galeone at Priestfield, WV on the weekend of March 1st. For more information, call Elaine at (410) 252-5355.
Today and this week, let us pray for our married couples at St. Jane Frances.
- Father Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
