Marriages Matters is Making a Difference
Date Night Ideas and Couple Prayers
Date Night Ideas and Couple Prayers
Date Night Ideas and Couple Prayers
Marriages Matters is dedicated to providing a monthly touch point for improving the lives of married couples .
Monthly Theme and Sharing Questions
Date Night Ideas and Couple Prayers
Date Night Ideas and Couple Prayers
QR code for additional marriage resources, as well as website references for couples seeking marriage help or support.
Marriage Matters: Monthly Support Newsletter
Keeping Couples Connected in Your Parish
Not every couple can attend programs. But every couple can receive encouragement.
Your diocese offers Rediscovery Retrouvaille for crisis intervention, Six Weeks to Us for early support, and CORE for ongoing community. But what about couples who:
- Haven't yet recognized they need help?
- Can't attend due to schedules, finances, or childcare?
- Completed programs but live too far from CORE groups?
- Simply need regular reminders that marriage matters and deserves investment?
Marriage Matters monthly digital newsletter that provides continuous touchpoint with all married couples—meeting them where they are, offering practical wisdom, and keeping marriage ministry visible year-round. Provided in both English and Spanish formats.
What Is Marriage Matters?
Marriage Matters is a monthly digital and/or print newsletter provided to you to share with married couples throughout your diocese or parish.
Each issue includes:
Lead Article: Practical teaching on marriage topics (communication, conflict, intimacy, parenting together, financial unity, spiritual growth)
Quick Tips: Bite-sized, actionable advice couples can implement immediately
Date Night Ideas: Creative, affordable suggestions for connecting
Prayer for Couples: Monthly prayer focused on marriage themes that follow the church calendar
Upcoming Opportunities: Schedule for Rediscovery Retrouvaille weekends, Six Weeks to Us sessions, CORE gatherings, and other marriage events
Resource Recommendations: Books, podcasts, apps, or tools that support marriage and family life
Why Your Diocese Needs Marriage Matters - It Provides Year-Round Marriage Ministry Presence
Most couples only think about marriage ministry when there's crisis. Marriage Matters changes that by:
Creating regular touch points: Monthly reminder that the diocese cares about their marriage
Normalizing support-seeking: Regular information about programs reduces stigma
Planting seeds: Couples may not need help now, but when they do, they'll know where to turn
Building trust: Consistent, helpful content establishes the diocese as a credible resource
Marriage Matters keeps marriage ministry on couples' radar 365 days a year.
Low-Barrier Entry Point
Many couples won't attend a weekend retreat or six-week program—yet. But they will:
- Read a brief newsletter
- Try a suggested date night idea
- Pray a provided prayer
- Consider a marriage book recommendation
Marriage Matters meets couples where they are with low-commitment, high-value content that gradually opens them to deeper engagement.
Cost-Effective Reach
Marriage Matters reaches hundreds or thousands of couples at minimal cost:
Digital version: Email distribution from diocese or parish costs almost nothing
Print version: Bulk printing and parish distribution with bulletins or mailing still far less expensive than programming per couple reached
Content creation not needed: One staff person or volunteer couple can distribute monthly
Return on investment is extraordinary: For minimal expense, every married couple receives regular marriage support and program information directly from your diocese or parish.
What Makes Marriage Matters Effective
Marriage Matters balances professional design with pastoral warmth:
Professional: Well-designed layout, clear writing, credible content
Pastoral: Personal tone, compliments church calendar, and compassionate approach
Catholic: Rooted in Church teaching while accessible to all faith levels
Practical: Actionable advice, not just theory
This combination creates content couples actually want to read.
Multimedia Approach
Marriage Matters can be delivered in multiple formats:
Email newsletter: Reaches digital-native younger couples
Print mailing: Serves couples less connected digitally (often older generations)
Parish bulletin insert: Distributed at Mass for immediate parish reach
Website/blog format: Archived online for searchable reference
Social media snippets: Quick tips shared on diocesan Facebook, Instagram
Diocesan publication inclusion: Insert into diocesan magazines or newsletters
Multi-platform delivery ensures maximum reach across demographics.
Implementation: Launching Marriage Matters
Production Requirements
Distribution: Email service (MailChimp, Constant Contact) or print/mail vendor
Budget: Minimal for digital; modest for print based on circulation
Building Your Mailing List
Marriage preparation: Automatically subscribe all couples preparing for marriage
Sacramental records: Add all married couples from parish records (with opt-out option)
Program participants: Automatically subscribe all Rediscovery Retrouvaille and Six Weeks to Us couples or those who have participated in a Marriage Encounter program.
Volunteer promotion: Invite couples to subscribe via parish announcements, websites, social media
Word of mouth: Encourage subscribers to forward to friends
Measuring Impact by Tracking:
- Subscription growth
- Open rates (email version)
- Program registration increases correlated with newsletter promotion
- Anecdotal feedback from couples
A Call to Action
Marriage Matters is one of the most cost-effective investments your diocese can make in marriage ministry. For minimal expense, you:
- Reach every married couple monthly
- Normalize marriage support and marriage support and help program attendance
- Provide practical tools for immediate use
- Build anticipation for programs
- Create ongoing pastoral presence in couples' homes
- Show your parishioners that Marriage Matters!
It complements your intensive programs (Rediscovery Retrouvaille), support groups (Six Weeks to Us, CORE), and serves couples who may never attend but still benefit from encouragement.
For information on subscribing to Marriage Matters or launching a newsletter in your diocese, call 1-800-213-0909.
"Let marriage be held in honor by all." — Hebrews 13:4 (NRSV-CE)
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Matters
Q: How much does Marriage Matters cost to produce?
A: Digital version: minimal (email service fees). Print version: varies by circulation, and distribution via parish bulletin or mail.
Q: How often is it sent?
A: Monthly. Consistency is key—couples come to anticipate and look for it.
Q: Can parishes customize it with their own information?
A: Yes. The parish or diocese name is customizable on the print version. The digital version can include a section where parishes add local program details, dates, contact information.
Q: What if couples unsubscribe?
A: Respect opt-outs but make resubscribing easy. Some couples unsubscribe during busy seasons but want to rejoin later.
Q: How do we get couples to actually read it?
A: Quality content, compelling subject lines (email), attractive design, and word-of-mouth recommendations. When content is genuinely helpful, couples read and share.
Q: Can we use Marriage Matters content in other ways?
A: Yes! Repurpose for social media, bulletin inserts, diocesan magazine or newsletter content, marriage prep materials, small group discussions, and parish websites.
Marriage Matters completes your comprehensive marriage ministry strategy—providing year-round support, program promotion, and pastoral presence in every married couple's life.
Contact Us
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today at 1-866-213-0909 and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Parish and Diocesan Impact
Keeping Marriage Visible
Supporting Couples in Rural or Remote Areas
Supporting Couples in Rural or Remote Areas
Marriage Matters ensures marriage ministry stays prominent:In parishes: When bulletins include newsletter or promote digital subscription
In homes: When couples receive monthly content
In conversations: When couples share articles or tips with friends
In culture: When community sees the Church actively supporting marriage
Visibility translates to engagement—couples are more likely to seek help when they regularly see it offered.
Supporting Couples in Rural or Remote Areas
Supporting Couples in Rural or Remote Areas
Supporting Couples in Rural or Remote Areas
Not every couple can travel to programs.
Marriage Matters provides:
- Ongoing encouragement regardless of location
- Practical tools they can implement at home
- Connection to broader diocesan marriage community
- Information about virtual options when available
For geographically isolated couples, the newsletter may be their primary diocesan marriage support.
Monthly Newsletter Supporting CORE Groups
Supporting the Couples Reconnect (CORE) Group Activity Calendar with a Monthly Newsletter
- JANUARY: Fresh Start, Stronger Together
NEW YEAR, STRONGER MARRIAGE
What if this year your marriage got even better? What if you invested in "us" with the same intention you give to fitness goals and career plans? CORE (Couples Reconnect) kicks off the new year with a fresh start gathering! - FEBRUARY: Love Celebrated
CELEBRATE NATIONAL MARRIAGE WEEK & VALENTINE'S DAY
February 7-14 is National Marriage Week, and the Church celebrates World Marriage Day! What better time to gather with couples who believe marriage is worth celebrating every day? CORE (Couples Reconnect) hosts our annual Valentine's & Marriage Week Celebration! - MARCH: Love in Action
LENT CALLS US TO LOVE IN ACTION
Lent isn't just about giving up—it's about growing in love. What if this Lenten season was when your love became more active, more intentional, more service-oriented? CORE (Couples Reconnect) gathers for a special Love in Action Gathering this month. - APRIL: Resurrection & Renewal
EASTER JOY, MARRIAGE RENEWAL
Christ is risen! Easter celebrates new life, resurrection, and hope. Your marriage can experience renewal too—not because it's dying, but because even good marriages grow better with intentional care. CORE (Couples Reconnect) celebrates spring with an Easter Season Renewal Gathering. - MAY: Spring Renewal
SPRING IS IN FULL BLOOM—SO IS YOUR MARRIAGE
May brings new life, growth, and beauty. Your marriage is growing too—sometimes in ways you notice, sometimes in quiet, steady ways that surprise you. CORE (Couples Reconnect) celebrates spring with a Spring Renewal & Growth Gathering. - JUNE: Summer Kickoff
SUMMER BEGINS—LET'S KICK IT OFF TOGETHER!
School's out, schedules shift, and summer beckons. Before the season gets away from you, invest an evening in your marriage and couple friendships. CORE (Couples Reconnect) kicks off summer with a fun Summer Celebration & Game Night! - JULY: Summer Picnic
PICNIC, PLAY & PRAYER—CORE STYLE!
Nothing says summer like a picnic! Join CORE couples for our annual Summer Picnic & Outdoor Gathering where we'll enjoy good food, great company, and time to connect both as couples and as community. - AUGUST: Beach, Lake or Mountain Day
ESCAPE TOGETHER—CORE ADVENTURE EDITION!
Before summer ends, let's make one more memory! CORE (Couples Reconnect) hosts our annual Couples Day Trip Adventure this month—beach, lake, mountains, or wherever the group decides! - SEPTEMBER: Back to Routine, Back to Us
BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO ROUTINE—DON'T FORGET "US"
September brings schedules, routines, and the return of busy. In the rush of getting everyone else where they need to be, don't forget to invest in "us." CORE (Couples Reconnect) returns to regular gatherings with a Back to Routine, Prioritizing Us theme. - OCTOBER: Harvest & Gratitude
HARVEST SEASON—REAP WHAT YOU'VE SOWN
October invites gratitude for the harvest. What has your marriage harvested this year? What seeds are you planting for next season? CORE (Couples Reconnect) gathers for a Harvest Celebration & Gratitude Gathering. - NOVEMBER: Grateful & Blessed
THANKSGIVING SEASON—GRATEFUL FOR MARRIAGE
November calls us to count blessings. Your marriage—even with its challenges—is a profound blessing worth celebrating. CORE (Couples Reconnect) hosts our annual Grateful & Blessed Thanksgiving Gathering. - DECEMBER: Christmas Celebration
CHRIST IS BORN—LET LOVE BE BORN ANEW
Advent prepares us for Christ's coming. Christmas celebrates His arrival. And in the midst of the season, your marriage deserves celebration too. CORE (Couples Reconnect) hosts our annual Christmas Party & Marriage Celebration!
