“Celebrate Marriage” event on Sunday, February 14th

View the Virtual Marriage Event for World Marriage Sunday February 14th 2021 Sponsored by the Marriage and Family Life Office

World Marriage Day Celebration – English
Watch the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s 2^nd annual “Celebrate Marriage” virtual event that took place on Sunday, February 14, 2021 (World Marriage Day!) hosted by the Marriage and Family Life Office featuring Bishop Vasa and guest speaker Damon Owens. 

Dia Mundial Del Matrimonios  - Spanish
Mire el video sobre la segunda celebración de la Diócesis de Santa Rosa del Día Mundial del Matrimonio que tomo lugar el domingo pasado facilitado por la Oficina de Matrimonio y Vida Familiar con presentaciones especiales por Nuestro Obispo Vasa y el Señor Jake Samour. 
 

Damon Owens, an international speaker and evangelist for over 20 years, is the founder and executive director of joytob. Following four years as the first executive director of the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia, he served as Chairman of the 2016 International Theology of the Body Congress. In 2002 after 16 years in the technology sector, he sold out of his firm and founded Joy-Filled Marriage New Jersey, and New Jersey Natural Family Planning Association, non-profit organizations dedicated to building a marriage culture through training, seminars, and conferences. Damon and his wife Melanie taught Natural Family Planning (NFP) for 14 years, and served as NFP Coordinators for the Archdiocese of Newark (NJ).

Ramie y Jake Samour tienen 15 años de casados y viven en Wichita, Kansas, considerado como la “tierra corazón” del USA. Ellos tienen seis hijos, un varón y 5 niñas. Jake es el director de la Pastoral para Matrimonios y Vida Familiar de la Diócesis de Wichita y el representante de la Sección Hispana de la Asociación Nacional de Ministros de Vida Familiar Católicos (NACFLM). Jake nació en El Salvador y emigró con sus papás y 11 hermanos hace más de 40 años. Ramie es la mayor de 9 hermanos y es de Kansas. Ellos se conocieron en el Instituto Juan Pablo II para las Ciencias del Matrimonio y la Familia donde los dos recibieron una Maestría en Estudios Teológicos. Aunque los dos siguen involucrados en el ministerio con matrimonios y familias, Ramie se dedica más a su familia y educa a sus hijos en casa. Los dos tienen una gran pasión de ayudar a parejas y familias encontrar y realizar su felicidad. Como familia, los Samours disfrutan muchas actividades al aire libre y juegos siempre con primos, tíos, abuelos… y grandes amigos.

• Pray together every day.  We have found this to be a very relaxing, calming time in our day.  We say the rosary together, taking turns as to who leads.  It is best when we are at home sitting comfortably, but we have done this in the car when traveling, in airports, while on a walk (one of our favorites), or sitting on a bench in a park.
• Find some time in the day to spend together without distractions, meaning away from the TV, phones,  and especially the computer screen (including video games!).  This could be rosary time too.  We occasionally stop for an afternoon tea, even for just 15 minutes or so, just to sit and chat.
• Communicate daily (which means to listen first and talk second!).  So important!!!  Frequent communication is important for so many things that come up on a daily basis.  “Hey hon, what’s on your schedule for today?”
• Be thankful, so find opportunities to say “thanks”!  And don’t be afraid to say the “L” word either!!!  We did our whole article on this in the past Sept-Oct edition of the North Coast Catholic.
• Allow for some personal time alone. Respect each other’s need for time to do their own thing alone.  Deacon Dave really likes his garage time and Carlin enjoys immersing herself into a good book.
• Did we mention communication?  Are you paying attention to me?! 
• Find moments for physical affection including time for the marital embrace.  The communion of husband and wife, the giving of a gift of oneself to another, is important in a marriage relationship.  Make the time for some romance!
• Openly share thoughts and ideas and worries about your family finances.  In these difficult times, staying on the same page with your finances is very important.
• Don’t be afraid to speak up when you are feeling anxious or frustrated about life.  We are all experiencing these emotions and it is important to let your spouse know what you are experiencing.  
• Don’t be afraid to get professional counseling help if needed.  Deacon Dave loves to fix things around the house, but sometimes it is best to call in a professional to handle certain jobs!   
• Try to take walks together, maybe even daily if you can.  Getting out of the house (not socially distanced-this is your beloved!), breathing in the fresh air, getting some exercise, and seeing the world around you at a walking pace is a great way to relieve some stress.  We try to do it every day, rain or shine!  
• Ask:  “What can I do to help you today?”  Our wedding day vows committed us to lovingly care for each other.  What a nice way to approach each day of your married life!
• And finally, join us for a virtual “Celebrate Marriage” event on Sunday, February 14^th at 1 PM in English and 2 PM in Spanish.  Find details above.