Peace in Jesus Christ! This upcoming weekend, October 16-18, the Archdiocese of San Antonio is sponsoring a Marriage Preparation Weekend. There will be many couples coming who are uncatechized about God’s plan for marriage. We expect that many of them have been living together before marriage, engaging in non-marital genital relations, and generally not striving for the life that Christ calls us to live. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all those who enter into this weekend. Pray for a breaking of the bonds of slavery to sin and for an opening of their hearts to the love of Christ the Bridegroom. Pray for protection from the distractions of the Evil One, as well as their safe travel to and from the retreat center. Pray that they may be as receptive as Our Blessed Mother, so that God may impregnate them with His own life. Most importantly, pray that they may take this weekend seriously and to be honest with God, with their fiancé, and with themselves as they discern God’s will for their lives and their vocations. In addition, please pray for all those involved with the preparation and execution of the retreat. For the speakers, that they may proclaim the Truth about God’s plan for marriage in the Catholic Church, speaking no more and no less than He desires. Give them courage to witness to the Truth and the ability to perceive clearly the retreatants’ needs and to address them according to His will. May Our Father bless you abundantly for your prayers and your sacrifices. In the Heart of Our Mother, Steve Pokorny Office of Marriage and Family Life and NFP, Associate Director210 734 1650 (Direct Line)

The love of husband and wife is the force that welds society together.
St. John Chrysostom