COMMUNITY RESOURCE LINKS

 

COMMUNITY

http://www.dioceseofscrantonarchive.org/clight/BishopBamberaPastoralLetter%20-%20FINAL%20-%20062711.pdf

Go and Make Disciples, USCCB http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/evangelization/go-and-make-disciples/introduction_go_and_make_disciples.cfm

Catholic Church. (2012). Catechism of the Catholic Church. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

GRIEF SUPPORT

PARISHES WITH ON-SITE GRIEF SERVICES

Creighton University’s resource page for grief and grieving ministry.  http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Grief/

 

RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING OR SUPPORTING OTHERS IN GRIEF:

Helping Yourself Through Grief

Grieving During the Holidays

Avoiding the Cliches of Grief

Ways to Support Those Who Are Grieving

Care for the Caretaker

How to Help Those in Grief

 

OTHER GRIEF SUPPORT RESOURCES ONLINE:

 

Prayer preparing for Christmas after a loss

Grief Counseling Resource Guide from the New York Office of Mental Health: Free, printable “Field Manual” for caregivers and those in grief.

Rainbows: Resources to help children in grief

How to Grieve by Larkin Warren, AARP Magazine

Office Memorials by Rachel Blythe Kodanaz
From Good Grief Resources

Crisis, Grief & Healing Pages

 

Rachel’s Vineyard Post-Abortion Healing www.rachelsvineyard.org

 

FAMILY LIFE

Videos

https://youtu.be/tXCCg8zocTU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVhcaEEmDHo

– in Spanish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFvg7oCr2SI

 

FAMILY ENRICHMENT

 

Catholic Digest:  This site uses the stories of real life people to demonstrate that a life guided by faith can be exciting, challenging, enlivening, and joyous.

Family Matters: This Catholic site provides weekly suggestions for marriage enrichment and family spirituality enrichment.

 

FAMILY PRAYER

 

Prayer for Families

http://www.vibrantfaithathome.org/

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/

http://www.loyalapress.com/

 

PARENTING RESOURCES

 

http://www.foryourmarriage.org/parenting-family/parenting/

Abstinence and Chastity –link to USCCB webpage with related articles about teaching abstinence and chastity

Cyber safety:

 

RESOURCES FOR MOTHERS

 

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Mothers/

 

RESOURCES FOR FATHERS

 

www.fatherhood.org

“Enjoying Marriage and Fatherhood,” http://www.foryourmarriage.org/enjoying-marriage-and-fatherhood/

“The Positive Roles of Fathers,” by Pope Francis, Feb. 4, 2015,

http://www.foryourmarriage.org/the-positive-roles-of-fathers/

Prayers for Fathers and Husbands –from Creighton University http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Fathers/

Father/Son Camp http://www.uncnepa.org/campkelly/

 

RESOURCES FOR PREGNANT/NEW PARENTS

 

www.zerotothree.org

www.whattoexpect.com

Helping Families Choose Life: How Both Dads and Moms Can Help Their Infants, on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TJcdkiJ98g

 

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH FERTILITY

 

Reproductive Technology –link to USCCB webpage with related articles

 

RESOURCES FOR ADOPTIVE/FOSTER FAMILIES

 

https://www.stjosephscenter.org/adoption/

“The Blessing of ‘Unanswered Prayers’: An Adoption Story,” by MaryPat St. Jean,

http://www.foryourmarriage.org/the-blessing-of-unanswered-prayers-an-adoption-story/

 

“Setting the Record Straight on Adoption and Single-Parent Children,” by Joe Towalski,

http://thecatholicspirit.com/spotlight/setting-the-record-straight-on-adoption-single-parent-children/

 

 

RESOURCES FOR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES

 

Catholic Dads Headquarters (Single Parents Welcome),

http://catholicdadshq.blogspot.com/2010/03/out-reach-to-san-diego-catholic-single.html

 

“Setting the Record Straight on Adoption and Single-Parent Children,” by Joe Towalski,

http://thecatholicspirit.com/spotlight/setting-the-record-straight-on-adoption-single-parent-children/

 

Books:

  • Pocket Prayers for Parents, by Kathy Hendricks, Twenty-Third Publications

 

RESOURCES FOR GRANDPARENTS AND EXTENDED FAMILIES

 

“Kinship Care in Pennsylvania: Support for Families with Grandparents and Other Kin

Raising Children,” 18 page brochure from http://extension.psu.edu/publications/ui383/view

 

The PA Kinship Care Network https://aese.psu.edu/extension/intergenerational/program-areas/kinship

“Grandparents More Likely to Raise Grandchildren” by David Gibson,

http://www.foryourmarriage.org/grandparents-more-likely-to-raise-grandchildren/

 

RESOURCES FOR BLENDED/STEP FAMILIES

 

https://smartstepfamilies.com/

National Stepfamily Resource Center based in University of Auburn, AL, dedicated to sharing solid research on step-families http://www.stepfamilies.info/

 

RESOURCES FOR WIDOWED OR DIVORCED FAMILIES

 

Retrouvaille, https://www.helpourmarriage.org/ or 1-800-470-2230

Annulments Contact the Office of the Tribunal, Diocese of Scranton

Annulments FAQ, http://www.foryourmarriage.org/annulments/

Divorce FAQ, http://www.foryourmarriage.org/catholic-marriage/church-teachings/divorce/

Other various resources: http://www.catholicsdivorce.com/Resources

Books:

  • Healing after Divorce: Hope for Catholics by Susan K. Rowland, St Anthony Messenger Press

 

RESOURCES FOR INTERFAITH FAMILIES

 

https://sites.sandiego.edu/interchurch/ is a terrific resource for discussion starters and recommendations for many aspects of combining faith lives.

www.interfaithcommunity.org is “…a community and resource for Jewish/Christian families”

 

FAMILY RETREATS

 

Marianist Family Retreat Center:  Offers retreats for family members at all stages: youth and young adults, married couples, widows and widowers, single-parent families, two-parent families and individuals.

417 Yale Avenue, PO Box 488, Cape May Point, NJ 08212-0488; 609-884-3829  www.capemaymarianists.org

 

 

MINISTRY WITH PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 

National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities: sponsored by the USCCB http://www.ncpd.org/

 

FINANCES/STEWARDSHIP

 

https://compasscatholic.org/   This website is designed to help Catholics with money management.  There are many free resources available, as well as programs for purchase.

www.ascensioncatholic.net/Living-a-Stewardship-Way-of-Life

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/stewardship/

http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/giving/

 

VOLUNTEERING AS A FAMILY TO HELP OTHERS

 

Read about the “What?” and “Why?” of Catholic social action in America at Catholic Social Teaching, the USCCB webpage with related articles

What can we do?

  • Your parish bulletin is a great place to start!  See how your parish is reaching out to the needy in your neighborhood and volunteer to help out.  If you know of a need that is not being met, attend the next parish Social Action or Ministry Coordinating Committee meeting and discuss what it would take to make your idea a reality.
  • Volunteer at one of the diocesan soup kitchens

 

PRO-LIFE

 

Miracle of Life video from Catholic Media House on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/3091491

 

FAMILY SUPPORT

 

RESOURCES FOR ISSUES INVOLVING ABUSE/ADDICTION

 

Catholic Social Services

Life Matters: Domestic Violence:  an article by Frank J. Moncher, PhD

Domestic Violence information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

http://www.pcadv.org/Find-Help/

http://www.thehotline.org/

 

 

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS/CHILD SAFETY

 

Family, Parenting, Pregnancy and Youth Services

Child protection/safe environment https://www.dioceseofscranton.org/child-protection-victim-assistance/

Cyber safety:

 

RESOURCES FOR POST-ABORTION HEALING

  • Rachel’s Vineyard Post-Abortion Healing Retreat:

This confidential weekend retreat facilitates spiritual and emotional healing for men and women struggling with the pain of abortion. Exercises based on scripture are designed to help participants experience God’s mercy and compassion, and to reconcile with their church, their child, and with themselves. The retreat concludes with a Memorial Service and (Catholic) Mass of Entrustment. If your heart hears God’s gentle invitation, take courage, for you are being called home to heal. Financial assistance is available.

For Diocese of Scranton registration or information contact: Denise Mengak (570) 822-7118, ext. 3333, drowinski@csswb.org  or Susan Walters suezq22@verizon.net

To learn more, or to register for a retreat: http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/

 

MARRIAGE

 

Here is a collection of articles from a great resource for all the stages of married life, www.foryourmarriage.org, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

 

MARRIAGE LITURGY

 

YouTube video: “Saying I do: What happens at a Catholic Wedding” https://youtu.be/3uAHwtBRg5c

 

OFFICIAL PAPAL BLESSING

Are you celebrating a major Wedding Anniversary?  Are you interested in obtaining an Official Papal Blessing to help honor this important milestone or to celebrate a marriage?

Click here to learn more.

 

 

PRECANA/MARRIAGE PREPARATION

 

http://www.foryourmarriage.org/dating-engaged/must-have-conversations/)

 

ONLINE PRECANA

 

https://themarriagegroup.com/courses/living-our-faith-in-love/

 

ONLINE PRECANA – SPANISH

 

https://preparacionmatrimonialcatolica.com/

 

FOCCUS

 

“The FOCCUS© Inventory is designed to help engaged couples appreciate their unique relationship, learn more about themselves, and discuss topics important to their lifelong marriage.”  www.FOCCUSinc.com.

 

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

 

http://www.engagedencounter.org/

 

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT

 

PRAYER

 

Daily prayer downloads: http://www.pray-as-you-go.org

 

Prayer online: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

 

Prayer in Married Life brochure

 

INTERFAITH/INTRAFAITH MARRIAGES

 

http://sites.sandiego.edu/interchurch/ is a terrific resource for discussion starters and recommendations for many aspects of combining faith lives.

 

GENERAL

 

Good News for Newlyweds Newsletter

 

REFOCCUS: An instrument to help couples identify and communicate about issues important to their relationship. FOCCUS, Inc., 3214 N. 60th St., Omaha, NE 68104, Phone: 888-874-2684 www.foccusinc.com

 

Susan Vogt webpage on marriage

 

Vibrant Faith at Home: This website, written by Catholic and mainline Protestant parish ministers, offers reflections and prayer experiences for couples at all stages as well as for families and individual adults.  There are a variety of topics available. Everything you need is free and easily accessible, including links to helpful resources. http://www.vibrantfaithathome.org/

 

Daily Marriage Tips

Weekly Dating Ideas

Monthly Marriage Quizzes

www.MarriagePreparation.com includes a variety of resources to build healthy marriages –no matter how many years you have been married.

“Forgiveness: healing the hurts in marriage” is an article on forgiveness in married life http://www.foryourmarriage.org/forgiveness-healing-the-hurts-in-marriage/.

The Gottman Institute: Information gathered through four decades of relationship research.  Though this is a secular resource, and therefore not always in line with Catholic teaching, much useful information and many helpful relationship tips can be learned here.

 

BOOKS

 

For Better, for Worse, for God by Mary Jo Pedersen, Loyola Press – This is a book that relates the spirituality and theology of marriage to everyday life; with reflection and discussion questions throughout the book.

Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson, Little, Brown & Company – This is a book that explains the scientific research behind romantic relationships and how married couples can communicate better to stay together.  See also, Dr. Sue Johnson’s videos on www.YouTube.com: “What Is a Healthy Marriage?” (3:52) and/or “The Laws of Love” (13:50)

 

 

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT RETREATS

    • Worldwide Marriage Encounter: The emphasis of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a marriage enrichment program, is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other.  It’s not a marriage clinic, nor group sensitivity.  It’s a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian Marriage. This is a time for your spouse and you to be alone together, to rediscover each other and focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention!  To learn more about Marriage Encounter and to find weekends in other dioceses or faith expressions, call 800-787-7679 or visit http://www.wwme.org/

 

 

    • Franciscan Spiritual Center: This center offers retreats, spiritual direction and online spirituality.  They are located in Aston, PA and at www.fscaston.org

 

 

NFP

 

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING ONLINE

 

NFP Life – https://themarriagegroup.com/courses/nfp-life/
Featured in our popular Pre-Cana, Living Our Faith in Love, this course provides an overview of the concept of NFP and sets the stage for a more in-depth teaching of a specific method.

Billings Ovulation Method Course – https://learnnfponline.com/billings-ovulation-method-2/

 

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING ONLINE INSTRUCTION FOR SPANISH SPEAKING COUPLES

 

http://aprendepfnenlinea.com/

 

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT NFP AND THE THEOLOGY OF THE BODY

 

Humanae Vitae: a letter from Pope Paul VI on contraception http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html

Theology of the Body: a series of talks by Blessed Pope John Paul II on the nature of men and women and the holiness of sexuality within marriage http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2TBIND.HTM

Natural Family Planning FAQs: an article from www.foryourmarriage.org, a great resource for all the stages of married life sponsored by the Unite States Conference of Catholic bishops. . http://www.foryourmarriage.org/family-planning/

 

SUPPORT FOR HURTING MARRIAGES

 

Finding Help When Your Marriage Is in Trouble: an article from www.ForYourMarriage.org

Difficulties Married Couples Face from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

 

COUNSELING FOR ANY NEED OR CRISIS

 

Catholic Social Services

 

INFORMATION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

 

Life Matters: Domestic Violence:  an article by Frank J. Moncher, PhD

 

Local hotline/resource center for anywhere in PA: sponsored by PA Coalition against Domestic Violence

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or http://www.thehotline.org/

 

Domestic Abuse Information

 

Domestic Violence information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

 

RETREATS FOR RELATIONSHIP HEALING

 

Retrouvaille: Sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton and others, Retrouvaille is a weekend program for married couples who may be experiencing tension, stress and loneliness in the marriage relationship. The program helps couples — even those separated and divorced — to communicate better and resolve conflicts in their relationships.

 

Beginning Experience: The ecumenical Beginning Experience weekends are an approved program designed for those suffering the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation.

 

Rachel’s Vineyard Post-Abortion Healing Retreat: This confidential weekend retreat facilitates spiritual and emotional healing for men and women struggling with the pain of abortion.

 

ANNULMENTS/DIVORCE

Information about the annulment process in the Diocese of Scranton –the Diocesan Tribunal website

 

“Understanding Annulments” by John T. Catoir, J.C.D from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/

 

Annulments: Information from For Your Marriage  (https://www.foryourmarriage.org/annulments/)

 

Divorce: Information from For Your Marriage  (https://www.foryourmarriage.org/divorce/)

 

 

“Pope Francis Reforms Annulment Process: Nine Things You Need to Know and Share” by Jimmy Akin, Sept 8, 2015, on www.catholic.com.

 

Annulments  Information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Divorce   Information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.