This is a press release.
The Diocese of Owensboro announced the endorsement of Grace Marriage by William F. Medley, Bishop for the Diocese of Owensboro. Parishioners are joining a community of almost 5,000 Grace Marriage participants in five different countries to be proactive in enriching marriages and preventing family breakdown.
Grace Marriage, created by Brad and Marilyn Rhoads of Owensboro in 2012, is a marriage enrichment opportunity that utilizes an on-going, quarterly, small group, parish-based approach.
“Presently, marriage is getting the left-overs of time and energy in many homes,” Rhoads said. “It is time for all of us to prioritize our marriages and richly enjoy one another for the glory of God.”
In 2019, the Office of Marriage & Family Life completed a one-year pilot program in Owensboro in which 22 couples from six different parishes participated. Based on the feedback from the participants, Bishop Medley has endorsed the program and the Diocese has decided to begin offering Grace Marriage as an option for marriage enrichment across the entire diocese.
“We’ve found that much of what Pope Francis says in The Joy of Love (Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, 2016) is very applicable to Grace Marriage; and the Grace Marriage model for marriage enrichment lines up very well with Missionary Discipleship, especially the focuses of ‘accompaniment’ and ‘community,’” said Bishop Medley in his endorsement letter.
The letter went on to quote Pope Francis saying “the Church is a ‘family of families’ and ‘the main contribution to the pastoral care of families is offered by the parish, where small communities, ecclesial movements and associations live in harmony.”
“Grace Marriage is excited to be working with the Diocese of Owensboro,” said Rhoads. “A ministry structure is being implemented to provide a discipleship pathway for growth for all marriages. Couples will adopt a proactive approach to richly enjoy one another and prevent crisis. May the Church stand out like a light in the darkness as couples put the love of Jesus on display in their marriages.”
Grace Marriage is an intentional, wellness approach to marriage enrichment. Couples spend six hours every 90 days to enrich, protect, and grow.
Registration is now open for Grace Marriage beginning in mid-March at four different locations in Owensboro and is available to couples from all surrounding area parishes. Groups are being hosted at Brescia University (utilizing a four-hour model), Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, St. Pius X Parish, and St. Stephen Cathedral.
