Comments on: Broken Catholic Marriages http://www.adoration.com/2010/broken-catholic-marriages/ O come Let Us Adore Him Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:43:45 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Harry Williams http://www.adoration.com/2010/broken-catholic-marriages/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Harry Williams Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:31:18 +0000 http://www.adoration.com/?p=170#comment-34 Marie, Thank you for your kind comments. One of my major frustrations is that there are no truly wise, holy, smart, experienced, down-to-earth Catholic marriage counselors available to help couples who are in need of assistance. I would like to see the Church focus on selecting and training qualified priests (or lay individuals) to provide Catholic couples with the help they need. I appreciate your ongoing support for my weekly articles. Harry Marie,

Thank you for your kind comments.

One of my major frustrations is that there are no truly wise, holy, smart, experienced, down-to-earth Catholic marriage counselors available to help couples who are in need of assistance. I would like to see the Church focus on selecting and training qualified priests (or lay individuals) to provide Catholic couples with the help they need.

I appreciate your ongoing support for my weekly articles.

Harry

]]> By: Marie Ketcham http://www.adoration.com/2010/broken-catholic-marriages/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Marie Ketcham Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:29:49 +0000 http://www.adoration.com/?p=170#comment-33 Harry, I wanted to tell you in person, and will probably do so eventually, but this column had to be way up there as one of your best. Thank you for the excellent information. This topic should be addressed from the pulpit but it's something few priests will speak about to their congregations. Keep up the good work, and thank you! Harry, I wanted to tell you in person, and will probably do so eventually, but this column had to be way up there as one of your best. Thank you for the excellent information. This topic should be addressed from the pulpit but it’s something few priests will speak about to their congregations. Keep up the good work, and thank you!

]]> By: Harry Williams http://www.adoration.com/2010/broken-catholic-marriages/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Harry Williams Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:21:48 +0000 http://www.adoration.com/?p=170#comment-32 Grace, Thank you for your sharing your thoughts with us. You always have had a good/positive attitude about everything and it shows in your 12 principles. Your husband and children are very fortunate to have you in their lives. Take care, Harry Grace,

Thank you for your sharing your thoughts with us. You always have had a good/positive attitude about everything and it shows in your 12 principles.

Your husband and children are very fortunate to have you in their lives.

Take care,

Harry

]]> By: Grace Schneider http://www.adoration.com/2010/broken-catholic-marriages/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Grace Schneider Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:48:21 +0000 http://www.adoration.com/?p=170#comment-31 In the first 21 years of our marriage I find these 12 principles are most important to honoring our relationship: 1. My spouse is not responsible for "making" me happy. Personal happiness is found by using our God-given talents to benefit others, including family. Find the road to personal happiness and share the fruits with all those you love. 2. I are not responsible for my spouses' happiness; but I am responsible for being supportive and positive so as to not take his happiness away. 3. Forgive one more time than asked; seek forgiveness one more time than I think I need to. 4. It is "my fault" too, we are in this together. 5. Don't focus on what I perceive my husbands fails to do/be/give ..... instead I'm grateful for all he does and who He is, this is what I choose to tell him about. When deciding whether to discuss a problem in our relationship, pray first, mention my faults not his and never start the conversation with "you....." 6. Honeydew is a great melon, not a list. 7. Recognize Christ in my spouse and treat him accordingly. Say I love you often; seek resolutions not blame; be thankful for his gift of self to me. Be respectful not resentful. 8. Practice mercy--which is all that love desires to give--before admonishment. 9. Remember Christ's commandment of loving God above all else and my husband as he wants to be loved--slightly paraphrased :) 10. Most importantly --LOVE. Not as the world loves but as God loves--unconditionally--your spouse should never feel they need to earn your love or they could lose your love--after all, since the two become one flesh--to not love, honor and respect your spouse--is only hurting yourself. 11. Say Hello, Good morning, welcome home like it is the very first time; say good-bye, good-night like it might be your last. This way you never part with anger or resentment in your heart, not even for the night. 12. Better yet, never allow anger into your heart in the first place, especially when it comes to your spouse--Ask God to bless you with a forgiving heart and a short memory span. Life is too short to hold a grudge. Thanks Harry! In the first 21 years of our marriage I find these 12 principles are most important to honoring our relationship:

1. My spouse is not responsible for “making” me happy. Personal happiness is found by using our God-given talents to benefit others, including family. Find the road to personal happiness and share the fruits with all those you love.

2. I are not responsible for my spouses’ happiness; but I am responsible for being supportive and positive so as to not take his happiness away.

3. Forgive one more time than asked; seek forgiveness one more time than I think I need to.

4. It is “my fault” too, we are in this together.

5. Don’t focus on what I perceive my husbands fails to do/be/give ….. instead I’m grateful for all he does and who He is, this is what I choose to tell him about. When deciding whether to discuss a problem in our relationship, pray first, mention my faults not his and never start the conversation with “you…..”

6. Honeydew is a great melon, not a list.

7. Recognize Christ in my spouse and treat him accordingly. Say I love you often; seek resolutions not blame; be thankful for his gift of self to me. Be respectful not resentful.

8. Practice mercy–which is all that love desires to give–before admonishment.

9. Remember Christ’s commandment of loving God above all else and my husband as he wants to be loved–slightly paraphrased :)

10. Most importantly –LOVE. Not as the world loves but as God loves–unconditionally–your spouse should never feel they need to earn your love or they could lose your love–after all, since the two become one flesh–to not love, honor and respect your spouse–is only hurting yourself.

11. Say Hello, Good morning, welcome home like it is the very first time; say good-bye, good-night like it might be your last. This way you never part with anger or resentment in your heart, not even for the night.

12. Better yet, never allow anger into your heart in the first place, especially when it comes to your spouse–Ask God to bless you with a forgiving heart and a short memory span. Life is too short to hold a grudge.

Thanks Harry!

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