MOMS is a peer ministry, a seven or eight-week journey for women of all ages who have children of all ages. Mothers learn to share with other mothers the stress, concerns and positive experiences that have influenced their personal and spiritual growth in an atmosphere of belonging, hospitality, faith sharing and genuine community. This introductory session to MOMS is designed for parish staff and/or lay women who are interested in developing small group opportunities for mothers in their parish. It will be an introduction to the program, its content and resources, a guide on how to implement it in a parish setting and a discussion of “next steps.”

Deadline to register is Thursday, February 12. Please contact Barb Krieser at 414-769-3444 or krieserb@archmil.org .

Retrouvaille Weekend for Couples Struggling with Marriage
Friday, February 20 to Sunday, February 22
Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center, 3501 S. Lake Dr., Milwaukee

The emphasis of this weekend is to help couples put the pieces of their marriage back together and rebuild loving relationships. If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if you are considering separation or divorce, Retrouvaille ministry is available to help deal with these issues. For additional information please call 800-470-2230 or see the website at http://www.retrouvaille.org.

One Night Engaged Enrichment Weekend
Saturday, March 6 to Sunday, March 7
Schoenstatt Retreat Center, W284 N698 Cherry Ln., Waukesha
Cost: $150 per couple

This weekend retreat is for couples preparing for marriage. The weekend starts on Saturday morning and concludes Sunday mid-day. The retreat covers the following topics: Commitment, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Theology of Marriage and Marital Decision-Making. During the retreat, engaged couples have the opportunity to spend time together discussing their relationship as well as meet other engaged couples. The cost includes supplies, meals and lodging. If you have any questions or would like to register, contact Linda King at 769-3442 or 800-769-9373 x442 or kingl@archmil.org .

Facilitator Training: Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)
Monday, March 8 – 7 -9 p.m.
Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center, 3501 S. Lake Dr., Milwaukee
Cost: $5 per person

This facilitator training is designed specifically for the MOMS: Developing a Ministry program. Any parish that is considering implementing a MOMS group in the near future is encouraged to send a coordinator and a facilitator team who will learn the responsibilities of facilitating and/or co-facilitating an eight-week session of MOMS. This session is limited to 15 participants.

Deadline to register is Thursday, March 4. Please contact Barb Krieser at 414-769-3444 or krieserb@archmil.org .

New Horizons Weekend of Healing
Friday, March 12 – 6:30 p.m. to Sunday, March 14 –3 p.m.
Holy Hill Retreat Center, 1525 Carmel Rd., Hubertus ¾ Cost:$125

The New Horizons weekend is designed to help each participant embark upon a new phase of life. It is an opportunity for divorced persons to pause and examine their lives – their strong points and weaknesses, their hurts, disappointments, joys and frustrations. It is a weekend of involvement. The cost for the entire weekend includes five meals and lodging. Financial assistance is available. For a registration form, visit Separated/Divorced Ministry. You may also contact: Barb Krieser, 414-769-3444, 800-769-9373, x444 or krieserb@archmil.org.

Registration due March 5. For information on New Horizons – click here.

Theology of Marriage Booklet Training
Saturday, March 13 – 9 a.m.– Noon
St. Agnes Parish, Kemp Hall, 12801 W. Fairmount Ave., Butler
Cost: $5 per person

This training is for clergy, parish staff, FOCCUS couples, and married couples ministering to engaged and newly married couples. The $5 fee includes the Married Couple and Engaged Couple booklet and Leader ’s Guide. Topics include: “Who are the Engaged and Newly Married Couples?” “Six Basic Beliefs of Marriage Theology,” “How to Use These Booklets in Your Parish ” and “Prayer Services.”

Registration is required by Friday, March 5. For questions or for more information, call Linda King, 414-769-3442, 800-769-9373 x442 or kingl@archmil.org or Marie Grevsmuehl, 414-769-3441, 800-769-9373 x441 or grevsmuehlm@archmil.org.

Divorce Recovery Series: A Process for Growth
Tuesday Evenings, March 23, 30, and April 6, 13, 20, and 27 ¾ 7-8:30 p.m.
St. Matthias Parish Center, 9306 W. Beloit Rd., Milwaukee
Presenter: Marianne Skrobiak, M.S.
Cost: $40 (financial assistance is available if needed)

Whether or not divorce was a choice for you, it is a major disruption in your life. Everything changes, including your very identity. How do you dream a new life? Refigure the box of the past hurts into a circle of hope? Sponsored by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Holy Apostles Parishes, New Berlin, St. Matthias Parish in Milwaukee and St. Mary Parish in Hales Corners.

Reservations are required. For more information or to register call: Debbie Hintz, pastoral associate at St. Matthias Parish, 414-321-0893 x*845; Maureen Pohle, 262-894-3540 or Frank Prusko, 414-425-5439.

Men’s Breakfast with Bishop Sklba
Saturday, April 3 — 8-11 a.m.
Country Inn, 2810 Golf Road, Waukesha — (I-94, Exit Hwy. T or G)
Topic: Finding Our Place Among God ’s Champions
Cost: $15/Individuals or $100/Groups of 8

Southeastern Wisconsin Catholic Men’s Ministry (SWCMM) and the Office of Adult and Family Ministry are sponsoring a breakfast with Bishop Richard Sklba. Bishop Sklba will discuss character traits men of faith need in our world today and how prayer is essential to nourish and develop these traits. The morning will include music led by Lake Country Men’s Music Ministry, gathering prayer, breakfast, presentation by Bishop Sklba, table discussions, and closing prayer.

To make a reservation or for further information, contact Barb Krieser in the Adult and Family Ministry Office at krieserb@archmil.org or 414-769-3444, 800-769-9373 x444.

Men’s Ministry Roundtable
Thursday, May 13 — 7-8:30 p.m.
St. Dominic Parish, 18255 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield — Marc Center (Church Basement)
No Cost — Please Pre-register

SWCMM invites leaders of men ’s groups or those considering forming or leading a men’s group to gather and learn from one another. The evening will include presentations from SWCMM core team members and time for sharing successes and challenges regarding Men’s Ministry. Although there is no cost for this evening, please pre-register by contacting Barb Krieser in the Adult and Family Ministry Office at krieserb@archmil.org or 414-769-3444 or 800-769-9373 x444.

“Let’s Live Again ” Weekend for Widowed Persons
Friday, May 14 — 7 p.m. to Sunday, May 16 — 1 p.m.
Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center, 3501 S. Lake Dr., Milwaukee
Cost: $125 — Single Room or $100 — Double Room

A healing weekend for those who mourn — a time for reflection, sharing and praying. Topics covered will help you deal with the pain of loss, experience the presence of God in our grief, and reach out to others as you find the strength to live again. Registration is limited and fee assistance is available, if needed.

Registration deadline is Friday, April 23. You may also contact: Barb Krieser, 414-769-3444, 800-769-9373 x444 or krieserb@archmil.org. Click here for a registration form.

Ministry Opportunity for Married Couples
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is committed to preparing engaged couples for marriage. As with all of the sacraments, adequate preparation is essential if the sacrament is to have its full meaning and effect. Engaged couples attend a day or weekend retreat as part of the preparation process, and we need married couples willing to share their time, experience and stories with engaged couples.

If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Marie Grevsmuehl, associate director of Engaged and Marriage Ministry at 414-769-3441,800-769-9373 x441or grevsmuehlm@archmil.org.

Website for Families
The Wisconsin Diocesan Family Life Ministers have established a website that contains materials that can be printed and handed out to families in your parish or school. The website, http://www.familyandchurch.org/, contains activities for families, family prayers, quotes for the parish bulletin and newsletter, topic of the month, resources, and products. This website is updated on a monthly basis. Our hope is that parishes and schools will choose the materials that would be beneficial for families with whom they work, or that they will notify families of the website for their own use.

Please contact Randy Nohl (414-769-3440,800-769-9373 x440 or nohlr@archmil.org) if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for future handouts and resources for the website. Hope ou enjoy http://www.familyandchurch.org/.

Resources for Parishes
“Resources from Randy ”is a monthly newsletter produced by Randy Nohl of the Office of Adult & Family Ministry. The newsletter is typically one page and contains updates regarding resource materials in the areas of marriage and family ministry and adult formation and small groups. “Resources from Randy ”has been produced since March 2001 to assist parishes in ministering to adults and families in their community. An archive listing of the previous “Resources from Randy ”can be found on the archdiocesan website by clicking here.

Contact Randy at nohlr@archmil.org, 414-769-3440 or 800-769-9373 x440 for further information or to be added to this newsletter’s mailing list.