Life, Marriage, and Family Formation
The diocesan office of Life, Marriage, and Family Formation provides pastoral care for couples and parents and promotes a culture of life in families and parishes and the broader communities to which they belong.
Below you can find diocesan ministries that support marriages and families. Questions? Contact us.
Upcoming Events
Ava’s Grace Monthly Support Group for those who have lost a child
3rd Wednesdays of the month
7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time via Zoom
Open to anyone who has lost a baby before or after birth, whether recently or long ago. For more information, please contact Lisa Everett at [email protected] or 574-968-2439.
Engaged and Married Couples
Marriage Preparation
Discover everything you need to know and do to get married in the Catholic Church in our diocese.
All engaged couples complete a pre-marriage questionnaire and participate in the diocesan marriage preparation program.
The Marriage Course
Build a stronger marriage from the comfort of your own home.
This seven-week course is designed for you and your spouse to invest in your relationship and build a strong marriage from the comfort of your own home.
Natural Family Planning
For anyone wanting to learn more about reproductive and hormonal health and the body’s natural biomarkers.
Learn more, find local instructors, and join us for a two-hour introductory session.
Hope for the Journey
For those facing infertility or secondary infertility
Find resources and support. Save the date for our annual Evening of Hope and Healing Mass and social.
Northern Indiana Marriage Encounter
Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend and learn the tools needed to keep your marriage strong. This is for Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. This is sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter.
Resources to Enrich Your Relationship
View external resources, curated by Marriage and Family Ministry
Support for Parents
Walking with Moms in Need
Community resources for moms
No matter where you are in your motherhood journey, you are not alone. Find resources below.
We are all invited to support pregnant and parenting mothers. To get involved, click below or contact a Walking with Moms in Need outreach at a parish near you.
RETURN
For parents whose children have left the church
In partnership with Ablaze Mission, RETURN provides support, training, and resources to the parents of young adults so that you can guide your children back to a relationship with Jesus and his Church.
ava’s grace
Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Infant loss
Find resources and a community. You are not alone. Join us for an annual Memorial Mass and retreat. Participate in our monthly support group, held online the third Wednesday of each month.
Miriam’s Blessing
Navigating a prenatal diagnosis
Miriam’s Blessing is a ministry whose purpose is to provide comprehensive support to parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis. You are not alone.
Belonging: Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
We work to ensure meaningful participation for individuals with disabilities and their families in all aspects of the life of the Church.
External Resources
View external resources, curated by Marriage and Family Ministry
Additional Diocesan Ministries for Healing
Project Rachel
Post-abortion healing
If you are hurting from a past abortion, you are not alone. It’s normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion.
Saint Augustine Men’s Group
Find support and healing from sexual addiction
Saint Augustine Men’s Group helps men discover and embrace real freedom from the grip of sexual sin by healing and rebuilding their lives through faith, brotherhood, and honesty. Sponsored by the diocesan office of Pastoral Care.
Same-Sex Attraction
You are made in the image of God.
Who you are as a person is deeply needed by the Catholic Church and by our world. Find resources, community, and support as you become evermore who you were created to be.
Divorce Support Ministry
Throughout the diocese, parishes offer the Surviving Divorce series to those newly separated or divorced and to those still struggling many years later.
Surviving Divorce features twelve video presentations based on the teachings of the Catholic Church and is open to anyone who needs comfort, counsel, and clarity after divorce.
Additional Resources
Read inspiring stories, book reviews and more
Contact Us
Elizabeth Tomasek, Director For Life, Marriage, and Family Formation
[email protected]
Caty Burke, Associate Director For Life, Marriage, and Family Formation
[email protected]
Estefania Guzman, Bilingual Administrative Assistant and Hispanic Ministry Liaison
[email protected]
574-234-0687