DEPARTMENT for MARRIAGE & FAMILY MINISTRY
7911 Detroit Ave - Cleveland, Ohio 44102
216-334-2978  / 216-334-2976 (fax)

The future of the world and of the Church passes by way of the family. -John Paul II

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A Ministry +Family Perspective + Parenting Skills + Internet Parenting Resources + Parishes & Parents + Single Parents

Parenting is a divine calling and ministry.  Read more from the Catechism of the Catholic Church >
Parishes and families can form mutually supportive partnerships.  The church of the home needs the support of the Church of the parish to live out its divine mission and calling in the modern world.  Families, in turn, willingly support and participate in a parish that actively listens to their needs and equips them with practical skills for parenting and family spirituality.   A Family Perspective in Church and Society is a framework for viewing ministry in order to evaluate present programs in order to plan more effective family-friendly ministry that empowers families to be who God calls them to be.  Read more about the Family Perspective>

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Parenting Skills  need to develop as children grow.  Parents need to be affirmed in their role and can add more tools to the skills they already have.  Some solid and helpful programs include:
The Five Love Languages / The Five Love Languages of Children and Teens by Gary Chapman Ph. D., and Ross Campbell, M.D.  is a video workshop and book.  The concepts of the emotional love tank and ways to communicate love to children so that they feel loved are explained.  A base of unconditional love helps children develop secure self-esteem, strong moral consciences and makes discipline much more effective and easy.  Parents can benefit individually or parishes can host a group workshop.  Call Bill Boomer 216-334-2971 for more information or contact Lifeway Press 1-800- 458-2772 directly.   Active Christian Parenting and Active Parenting of Teens is a systematic approach to parenting that is neither dictatorial nor permissive.  An active (not reactive) style empowers parents to be authoritatively in charge in a way that respects and honors both themselves and their children.   Call Bill Boomer 216-334-2971 to learn more or visit the Active Parenting Website.
Active Step Parenting  Incorporates and adapts parenting skills to the uniques challenges and issues of stepfamilies.  This is a required component of the CANA II remarriage program but already married stepparents are also welcome.   Call Carol Petro 216-334-2975 to learn more or visit the Active Parenting Website.

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Internet Family & Parenting Resources for Parents and Parishes
Natural Family Planning classes and information>  Scientifically effective, safe and spiritually strengthening for married couples Will our Kids Have Faith? - joint effort by Youth & Young Adult Ministry and Marriage & Family Offices to pass on information and resources to parents and parishes from the National Study on Youth and Religion (NSYR).  
At Home with Our Faith - Nurturing the Spirituality of Your Family offers practical, faith-formation resources for families and family-friendly parishes.   Successful Stepfamilies offers expert advice and resources for churches and stepfamilies from a Christian perspective - by noted author and stepfamily expert Ron Deal. 
Family Matters - resources and articles for families and marriage from national Catholic author and family life educator, Susan Vogt.  Bonus Families A positive approach with practical advice on "ex-etiquette" and the cardinal rule for stepparents.
Christian Family Movement is well established worldwide and has materials for families that would like to meet together in a small group format for study, prayer, fellowship and action.   Focus on the Family is the well-known evangelical Christian organization of Dr James Dobson offering many articles and publications to help Christian families grow.  
Ministry of Mother's Sharing (MOMS) -  is an outreach ministryof the Sisters of St. Benedict of St. Paul's Monastery gathering mothers for spiritual support.  They provide resources and training for developing MOMS parish groups.   National Center for Fathering (NCF)  The Center was founded in 1990 by Dr. Ken Canfield. "Our goal is to help men be better fathers, and to offer resources to help with family issues that effect kids like divorce, being a step-parent, and raising teens."

Parent to Parent Westside Network - A local grassroots movement linking parents to expert information and resources on teen issues
 Soon!  From Binge to Blackout - get the facts and solutions on teen drinking - Mar 31- Apr 2, 2009
 

Last update  +  30 November, 2009  

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