A happily married couple of more than 2 decades shared with me the most important thing that they learned in their first 5 years of marriage. Those years were difficult for them and they reached a point of needing counseling. They each thought that the other was deliberately upsetting them. When one spouse would do something at the house, the other would think that it didn’t make any sense to do it that way and it must be some form of spite. What they learned though, is that they were two very different people with different personalities and ways of doing things. When they understood their differences, they realized that it wasn’t spite or deliberate attempts to upset each other, rather they just did things differently. By accepting their differences, they were able to save their marriage. It may sound simple, but it took them 5 years and counseling to resolve this conflict. Listen to my homily to learn some additional tips and strategies to overcome conflict!
Readings: Sirach 3: 2-7, 12-14; Psalm 128; Colossians 3: 12-21; Luke 2: 22-40
Key Themes: Holy Family, Humility, Conflict Resolution
The Holy Family
Marriages can be helped by programs such as these:
This an intensive weekend intended to bring abundant life and energy to marriages that have become dull and lacking life and energy.
The Retrouvaille Program is for Married Couples Facing Difficult Challenges in their Relationship
It's a marriage program that helps couples restore their marriage and rebuild a loving relationship. It's
primarily a practical program to improve communication, build stronger marriages, and help couples reconnect.
For those in marriages that need the help of a counselor or therapist, here are some suggestions:
There are two people that I can recommend for counseling from what I was given in the seminary. Both are in the Chesterfield area. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis also offers counseling.
Peggy Hinders, LPC, NBCC
636-236-3003
Suzanne Coffey, MA LPC
314-283-1321
St. Louis Counseling (An Agency of Catholic Charities)
West St. Louis County Office
498 Woods Mill Road
Manchester, MO 63011
(636) 391-9966
This website has lots of helpful things on it for tele-counseling, life coaching, and self help. There are many helpful books too, including How to Heal Your Marriage:
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