Marriage and Family Ministry
Marriage and Family Ministry 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.
A Parent’s Guide to Gender Identity Theory
Thursday, April 20
7:30-9:00 PM via Zoom
Join Notre Dame professor Abigail Favale, author of The Genesis of Gender, for a special presentation for parents on gender identity theory and the issues it raises for children and teens today. The presentation will take place on Thursday evening, April 20th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM over Zoom and will include the opportunity to ask questions. Register below.
A Parent’s Guide to Gender Identity Theory
Thursday, April 20
7:30-9:00 PM via Zoom
Join Notre Dame professor Abigail Favale, author of The Genesis of Gender, for a special presentation for parents on gender identity theory and the issues it raises for children and teens today. The presentation will take place on Thursday evening, April 20th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM over Zoom and will include the opportunity to ask questions.
Take Charge of Your Reproductive Health
A FEMM workshop series for young adult women
Saint Mary’s College | 123 Regina Hall
Spring 2023
A woman’s reproductive health is closely tied to the state of her general health and to the delicate interplay of certain hormones within her body. The sufficient production of these hormones can be tracked throughout each cycle, as indicators of both health and fertility. FEMM stands for Fertility Education and Medical Management, and certified FEMM instructors will present this four-part series to help women learn to track their biomarkers and monitor their reproductive health. Come to the first workshop and decide if you want to continue. Sponsored by Marriage & Family Ministry of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and by the Department of Nursing Science, Saint Mary’s College.
FEMM Introduction | Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.
FEMM and Your Health | March 1, 7:30 p.m.
FEMM Expert | March 29, 7:30 p.m.
FEMM chart review | April 26, 7:30 PM
FEMM chart review | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
During this extended two-hour time period, participants will be able to walk in at their convenience and the instructors can look at their second fully charted cycle and answer any questions they have.
FEMM Expert
Participants learn to understand the cycle—both its biomarkers and the underlying hormonal activity—as an indicator of their overall health. They are taught the phases of the cycle with an emphasis on the time of ovulation, the dominant hormonal activity in each phase, and what biomarker observations within each phase are necessary for a woman to be considered healthy. Attention is given to the understanding of the cycle as a holistic fertile process, which is fundamental to understanding cycle variations. The session includes analysis of various cycle types, including those of health concern. Exercises, Q&A, and case studies accompany this session. Presenters will be available at the end of the session to meet individually with each participant to review her personal chart.
FEMM and Your Health
Participants learn the parts and function of reproductive anatomy, and the physiology of ovulation – understanding the critical role of hormones in the cycle. Hormones from the brain and ovaries affect the health of the reproductive organs and the entire body. Observable biomarkers allow women to identify hormonal changes, key cycle events such as ovulation and other indicators of health and fertility. Participants are taught the method of FEMM charting through observing and recording these biomarkers. The session concludes with charting exercises.
FEMM Introduction
Participants are introduced to FEMM (Fertility Education & Medical Management) as a model for women’s reproductive health. A woman’s reproductive health is closely tied to the state of her general health and to the delicate interplay of certain hormones within her body. The sufficient production of these hormones can be tracked throughout each cycle, as indicators of both health and fertility. FEMM enables women to become informed participants in their own healthcare. Presenters will field questions at the end of the session. In addition, a sign-up sheet after the intro session will be available so that the instructors know how many women will be charting and divide up the number of participants between them.
Support for Parents
Is an ongoing initiative where Catholic parishes and communities “walk in the shoes” of local pregnant and parenting women in need.
Is a new ministry whose purpose is to provide comprehensive support to parents who receive a poor prenatal diagnosis.
A ministry of the Diocese of Fort Wayne—South Bend which offers spiritual, emotional and practical support to families who suffer miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.
