Greg stressed the surprised reactions from many adults who have taken part in the program. “We have had couples who have attended parochial schools and Catholic colleges who said, ‘I have not heard any of this stuff!’ It is not being filtered down to the laity. The only catechesis they get is a 20-minute homily at their weekly Mass.”
The couple says that their ultimate goal is for true renewal in marriage in the church, with every one of the 179 parishes in the archdiocese having a Covenant of Love Ministry to serve as an umbrella, with subministries underneath.
A Marriage Ministry team at each location consists of a lead couple and a core team of four to five other couples who take part in training sessions with the Alexanders. The team serves to identify host activities, such as information events that could be held several times a year.
The program also includes an in-depth study of what it means to have a Christ-centered marriage. The couples meet once a month and discuss key topics like healing and forgiveness, prayer, communication, and awareness of the other’s needs. They promote the catechism and John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as essential tools for building a better marriage.
“It is the continuing education that must be done,” said Greg. “Marriage and family life is in a crisis. We must devote time and attention towards marriage, as the family is the foundation of society. There is great excitement as we take on this task. It is something that needs to be done.”
Julie continued, “There is such a critical need for this. Programs such as ACTS, That Man is You, and ENDOW help men and women grow individually, but Covenant of Love brings it all together for the couples of live out God’s call for marriage.”
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
She cited statistics indicating that 4,600 abortions are performed each day, while a similar number of divorces also take place daily, about 3,600.
“Society cannot survive without strong, sustainable families. It is self destruction,” she said.
The couple says a major factor that contributes to not living out marriage in a healthy way is ignorance of the church’s teachings on contraception.