Marriage and Family Life

Mission

The Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Duluth, in collaboration with other diocesan and community ministries is devoted to building up the Body of Christ by promoting a Catholic vision that celebrates and encourages the sacredness of love, marriage, family and the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.   

Upcoming Events

Anniversary Mass and Dinner

Couples celebrating marriage year milestones of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 or more are invited to the ninth annual Anniversary Mass and Dinner Saturday, Oct. 21. Mass will be at 5 p.m. with Bishop Daniel Felton at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, with dinner to follow at Stella Maris — Holy Rosary School, 2802 E. Fourth St., Duluth. All are welcome at Mass, but space for dinner is limited to the first 50 couples who reserve a space. The dinner will be free for the celebrating couples. For spacing purposes, this event cannot accommodate additional family members this year. There is no charge for this event.  

40 Days for Life

Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from conception. Christ is with you: BE NOT AFRAID.  

         - Saint Pope John Paul II

Precious babies continue to lose their lives in their mothers' wombs, and newly pregnant moms often receive misinformation. Abortions happen weekly in the "WE Building for Women" abortion clinic in Duluth. From September 27 - November 5, 2023, you are invited to participate and support 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil and Fasting to End Abortion. You are needed to give public witness by peacefully praying from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 32 E. First Street, Duluth, MN 55802. Parishes are also strongy encouraged to take on a block of time, each week, for several hours or for a half-day. You can sign up for prayer hours/block at 40daysforlife.com/duluth or contact Kathy Cory-Whitmyer, BSN, RN, at [email protected] or (218) 390-8560. God's innocent little children need our prayers and voices. 

Weekend for the Engaged

Engaged Weekends are part of the preparation for couples as they approach the Sacrament of Matrimony. 

Each Engaged Weekend varies slightly in content, and beginning and ending times. The weekend is typically all day on Saturday, ending after dinner, and Sunday morning until mid-day.  Accommodations are not included, however, if you travel a distance and need a place to stay, contact Betsy Kneepkens at (218) 724-9111 and we will do our best to find a place with gender-specific housing for weekend attendees. 

Although weekend content varies, click here to view a sample schedule.

Upcoming Engaged Weekends:

• 2023 Fall Engaged Weekends - locations and dates TBD

 

Alternative Options for Engaged Weekend Retreat

Attending an Engaged Weekend is part of the preparational process for the reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Duluth Diocese offer 3-4 opportunities a year and strongly encourages couples to attend one of these weekends. Because of family commitments and/or work, the Duluth Diocese dates don't always accommodate every couples' needs. If you are unable to make the Duluth Diocese dates, with the approval of the preparing clergy, the listings below may be options that will satisfy the retreat portion of the preparation process.  

Living God's Love Retreat

If an in-person Engaged Weekend is not possible, here is an online course available to couples of the Diocese of Duluth:
 

CATHOLIC FAMILY CAMP 2023
FUN AND FAITH HAD BY ALL!

  
  
Big Sandy Camp in McGregor, July 28-30

In need of hope and help for your struggling marriage? Retrouvaille is an international Catholic movement that holds retreats and aftercare support for couples striving to rebuild their relationship.  For information about their organization and a link to dates and retreat locations can be found on the link below 

https://www.helpourmarriage.org/