9633 East State Route 37 | Sunbury, Ohio 43074 | Phone: 740.965.1358

Marriage Ministry

Marriages succeed when they have a good start!

Marriage Mentoring

Marriage mentoring is a part of the marriage preparation program at St. John Neumann. In this program, married couples in the parish meet with engaged couples, one on one, for one to two hours over the course of seven or eight sessions. Mentor couples discuss various topics in marriage, such as finances, problem solving and lifestyle expectations. Mentoring has been shown to lower the chance of divorce. It helps the engaged couples learn that marriage should not just be about personal happiness, also about growing in holiness. Most mentor couples find in the process of working with engaged couples, their own marriage becomes strengthened. Learn more about the engaged process by clicking here. If you would like to be a marriage mentor couple and participate in the next training contact: Amy Merry amerry13@yahoo.com or at 740-965-6912. Practicing NFP couples are preferred.

Marriages grow when couples support couples and grow in faith together.

Marriage Enrichment

Each year St. John Neumann Church offers marriage enrichment opportunities for couples in the parish to strengthen marriages and families. Marriage ministry is an exciting and needed ministry. Come join our team of couples who plan and implement marriage programs. We meet the last Sunday of the month at team members homes for planning and enrichment. If you would be interested in joining our team please contact Amy Merry at amerry13@yahoo.com or 740-965-6912. If you are interested in a marriage enrichment program watch the bulletin and this web page for future events.

Participation in small faith sharing groups supports marriage and family in positive ways. Various small groups are available.

  1. Marriage Faith Sharing Groups & Bible Studies:
    Small groups for married couples meet in homes and study various marriage enrichment materials, based upon the Bible and our faith & values regarding Catholic Christian marriage. Currently there are small groups studying "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. If you are interested in join or starting a marriage faith sharing group contact Amy Merry amerry13@yahoo.com or at 740-965-6912.
  2. Growing In Faith Together Groups
    This is another couples' faith-sharing program, offered by the parish's Spiritual Life Committee. In this program couples meet in homes with other couples and study various topics related to the Catholic Faith. These groups may meet once or twice a month for faith sharing and fellowship with other couples. Gathering regularly with other couples builds friendships and support for married couples while they also grow in their faith together. If you are interested in joining a couples Growing Faith Together Group contact Gerianne Morrison gamlm2@embarqumail.com or 614-895-4702. See also the Spiritual life page on this website for a list of materials groups may study.
  3. Women's and Men's Faith Sharing Groups

    Marriages also grow when the married partners grow in faith in women-only and men-only faith sharing groups.

    Ladies, Women's Faith Sharing Groups offers you friendship and faith sharing with other women striving to live their lives according to their Catholic faith. You are sure to find lively conversation on faith topics as well as practical application in your daily life. There are several groups meeting at different times to work into your schedule. 

    Men's faith sharing groups offer solid practical application of our Catholic faith into the work force and daily life. Men meet on a weekly basis to foster solid friendships, accountability and mentoring to learn to be strong leaders of the family and the community. 

Marriages are strong when they live by God’s plan for life- giving love.

NFP (Natural Family Planning ) Ministry

NFP (Natural Family Planning ) Ministry follows God’s design for spacing and planning family size. It cooperates with God and recognizes sexuality and fertility as a God given gift. Natural Family Planning increases communication and enhances romance and intimacy. This can be seen in the substantially lower divorce rate which is less than 5% compared to the national divorce rate of 50 %. St. John Neumann church promotes and encourages married and engaged couples to learn and use the method for family spacing and size.

The SJN Natural Family Planning ministry is dedicated to providing education, programs and support to individuals and couples who are seeking to live out the Catholic Church's teaching on sexuality through the use of Natural Family Planning. We offer support through practical instruction in the use of NFP.

Introduction courses to the Creighton model of fertility awareness are offered at St. John Neumann every three months. A certified instructor for the Creighton model will present these courses. From these introduction courses couples may schedule follow up sessions to learn the method in more depth from a certified instructor of the Creighton model.  We also touch on some of the theology behind the church’s support of NFP.  This intro course fulfills the requirement for those seeking marriage within the diocese.

The schedule for the remaining introduction courses in 2012 and 2013 are: Second Saturday of March, June,September and December, see the parish calendar.

We also seek to learn, educate and provide programs on John Paul II's Theology of the Body and what this bold theology means for our relationships with each other. Contact Christina Weber: christinagermaine15@yahoo.com or call 740-936-8886 to sign up for an intro session or for information on any of the NFP ministry programs offered at SJN.

Marriages – Families – Individuals sometimes need the healing touch of our faith

Clinical Pastoral Counseling

All marriages can go through trials and often need help navigating difficult times. Often it is difficult to find a counselor who incorporates our Catholic and Christian faith into marriage counseling. St. John Neumann has two licensed, professional Catholic family and marriage counselors who combine the human clinical touch and the faith pastoral touch to help individuals, couples and families experience healing and hope. Mary Ann may be reached at majepsen@yahoo.com and also 614-442-7650, ext. 6 and Lynn may be reached at 614-442-7650, ext. 4or at lynn.henderson@columbus.rr.com

Retrouvaille

Retrouvaille presents us with the tools to heal and repair our damaged marriages. A weekend of learning together and six short follow up sessions gives hurting couples the opportunity to recapture the love, trust, joy and happiness they enjoyed in the beginning of their marriage. Click here for the Retrouvaille website www.retrouvaille.org for upcoming dates, times and locations. Contact Lynn Dwyer 419-563-4022 or Gary Dwyer 614-633-8419. Email address for information: 3032@retrouvaille.org

Divorcecare

Sometimes individuals experience the painful reality of separation or divorce. DivorceCare is a 13- week program that provides education, discussion, support, fellowship and healing in the context of faith for anyone who experiences the difficulties of separation and divorce. Topics such as depression, anger, healing, finances, childcare, forgiveness, reconciliation and the annulment process are presented in light of our biblical and Catholic Christian Faith. Contact Mary Ann at majepsen@yahoo.com and also 614-442-7650 ext.6

Griefshare

Marriages and individuals can be greatly affected by the loss of family members. Joining a Catholic Christian faith-based grief support group can help individuals with the grieving process with the healing touch and hope offered by our God. The "Seasons of Hope" series is used in this group. The group meets weekly at the Parish Office. Contact Barbara Jelinek bjelinek@insight.rr.com 614-531-1691 for more information.

Marriages feel secure when they feel peace over finances.

Financial Peace University

Financial issues and problems are one of the top reasons for divorce in our country. Marriages often can use some help in the financial area. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University is a 13 week program and is offered periodically at the church. For more information contact Bill and Shannon Reinking at bill.reinking@gmail.com 614-577-9423.

Marriages need revitalizing.

World Wide 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 retreat, nor a marriage clinic, nor group sensitivity. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian Marriage . Contact Paul and Marilou Clouse at 740-746-9003 www.wwmecolumbus.org

Marriages thrive when they enjoy leisure time together.

Social opportunities

Join other parishioners for outdoor Masses and parish wide picnics. These are usually held in the spring, summer and early fall. Watch the bulletin for announcements. If you have questions about upcoming social events or would like to help plan these events please contact the Social Committee chairperson BJ Low at 614-419-4991 or wlow@trilegian.com.

Periodic date nights enhance marital happiness. Grab your dancing shoes and invite your sweetie to come to the New Year’s Eve Dinner/Dance, the World Marriage Day Dinner/ Dance and the St. Patrick's Day Celebration. New Year's Eve is open to singles and couples and is a wonderful way to ring in the New Year together. World Marriage dinner dance starts with a renewal of vows at the 4:00pm Mass, then a dinner and dancing. St. Patrick's Day celebration is sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society and is an enjoyable night in the Irish tradition and a great way to support a worthy organization helping our needy in the community and church.

Do you enjoy playing cards as a couple. Join our Euchre group. Contact Mike McIntee 740-815-1765 bud1mac@yahoo.com for more information.

Bishop's website for Marriage Resources and information:
www.Foryourmarriage.org

Do you have children? Their faith formation and growth is extremely important. The Parish Religious education program is for children kindergarten to 5th Grade. (click here) Middle School age attend the dynamic Edge program (click here) Lifeteen reaches our high school age with exciting life nights and retreats. (click here).

And young children will enjoy Christmas and Easter Parties while all ages will enjoy the fall parish festival. (click here)

Welcome