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Diocese to sponsor Marriage Night Oct. 28

Catholic Globe report

Bishop Walker Nickless will address married couples in the Diocese of Sioux City at a Diocesan Marriage Night to be held on Oct. 28.

Sean Martin, director of religious education and family life, said the event was inspired by the USCCB’s initiatives to build happy holy sacramental marriages. Having seen a similar event in another diocese, Martin and his wife had the idea to hold marriage nights to strengthen marriages and families within the Diocese of Sioux City.   

“In his 2009 pastoral letter, Bishop Nickless addressed concerns involving marriage and family life and he expressed the goal to be able to protect, build up and foster holy families,” Martin said. “I thought it would be good for the lay men and women of our diocese to hear his desires and goals for marriage and family life.” 

Karmen Bower, assistant director of religious education and family life, has been instrumental in planning the event that will be held at Stoney Creek Inn in Sioux City. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6 p.m.

“We are always trying to assist in the implementation of bishop’s pastoral letter,” she said. “This letter is so important for our diocese.  We wanted the bishop to have this opportunity to further explain and encourage what he wrote in this letter.”

It is Martin’s hope that Bishop Nickless will speak to the married couples about how to build holy and virtuous families. 

“Besides gaining encouragement from Bishop Nickless to strengthen our marriages and families, I think married couples will benefit from the fellowship with other Catholic married couples,” he said.

In promoting the event, they used a segment of the bishop’s pastoral letter: “Sacramental marriage is the source of holiness for the spouses, and through them the children.  The Christian family is meant to be a school of faith, hope and love, a miniature of the universal church.  It is a holy place, a sanctuary, where each has distinct roles and responsibilities, where the faith is passed on, nurtured, lived and deepened.”

All married couples are invited and will benefit from this event. 

Bower noted that they plan to hold two marriage nights this year, with a second one offered in another diocesan location this spring.

“A strong Catholic community has always been a key part of the Christian life,” she said. “Marriage is difficult, but a great support system can be built through relationships with other Catholic married couples.  I want this to be an opportunity for people to make new friendships and acquaintances.  Also, how could you miss this awesome opportunity to listen to the Bishop and apply his thoughts to your own life?”

If you wish to attend this gathering, please register by Oct. 20. The cost of the gathering is $40 per couple, which includes dinner.

You can find a registration form at the diocese’s website – www. scdiocese. org