Catholic Apostolate Center
"In your journey as a family, you share so many beautiful moments: meals, rest,
housework, leisure, prayer, trips and pilgrimages, and times of mutual support…
Nevertheless, if there is no love then there is no joy, and authentic love comes to us from Jesus.
He offers us his word, which illuminates our path; he gives us the Bread of life
​which sustains us on our journey."

-Pope Francis in his Letter to Families
(February 2, 2014)

​Marriage Accompaniment Webinars with Dr. Steven Serafin

Dr. Steven Serafin is currently the Pastoral Associate of St. Bartholomew’s in Scotch Plains, NJ, where he leads an initiative called the Emmaus Coalition of Life Long Formation. He is the creator of Endure: Marriage Enrichment Initiative through Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries. He graduated from Catholic University with a Doctor in Ministry in 2022, he has received a M.A in Theology with a focus in Evangelization and Catechesis from The University of Notre Dame’s Echo program and a B.A from Catholic University with a minor in Finance and Management. He has served in a number of ministerial positions: Associate Director for Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Newark, Director of Faith Formation, Campus Minister, and Teacher. His treatise focused on Accompanying the Next Generation of Newlyweds: A Parish Model for Perfecting the Love of Marriage Through a Peer Collaborative Dialogue.
The first in a 3 part series of webinars by Dr. Steven Serafin discussing his work in continuing marriage ministry. In his studies and work, he has learned of the importance of ministry and supporting couples post marriage preparation as a way to continue lifelong and holy marriages. Please join him in this presentation to discuss the reasons for this and some considerations for couples in ministry.
​Continuing with May's presentation, join Steven Serafin and guest from his Marriage Formation project to discuss current trends in formation, as well as some best practices on ways to achieve success in marriage ministry.
​In our final webinar of this three part series, Dr. Steven Serafin provides suggestions for successful models of marriage ministry. How to identify models that might work for you, as well as provide some insights in ways to grow your marriage ministry into a sustainable and successful one for your community.

Self Care for Parents

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused parents to be stretched and challenged in ways most of us did not think possible. This presentation, given by two working moms, will discuss the concerns and stress parents are facing, but will provide support through a focus on self-care, accompaniment, and finding community. The presenters are Dr. Kristin Witte, D.Min, Advisor, Catholic Apostolate Center and Monica Thom Konschnik Assistant Director of Administration, Catholic Apostolate Center. ​
Michael and Charlene Howard in this video offer insight into the role of the family in the Universal Church.  
Director, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. presenting on Amoris Laetitia and the importance of marriage preparation.

Amoris Latitia: The Joy of Love
​Apostolic Exortation of Pope Francis - 2016

Resources on Amoris Latitia
​A chapter by chapter summary of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia from the Vatican. Comments by Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, then President of the USCCB and current Archbishop of the Diocese of Louisville, Kentucky, in which he invites the Church to take time to read Pope Francis' exhortation, Amoris Laetitia.  A blog post written by Archbishop Kurtz of Louisville in which he reflection and three key "take aways" form Pope Francis' 2016 Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia. ​A statement from the former Chairman of the USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, Bishop Richard Malone, in which the bishop praises Pope Francis' post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia as, "an inspirational aid for the clergy and laity who generously accompany couples as they prepare for marriage and throughout their married life, in both their joys and difficulties."​​Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles' statement on Amoris Laetitia that encourages a slow and careful reading of the exhortation which the Archbishop calls, "a gift to the Church but also to everyone who wants to understand what God really intends for our true happiness as men and women" A collection of resources from the USCCB on Pope Francis' 2016 apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia.  These resources include articles on the exhortation, statements from the bishops, and frequently asked questions about Amoris Laetitia. The Archdiocese of Washington provides a toolkit for Amoris Laetitia including prayer, explanation of the exhortation and practical application. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides guidelines for the implementation of Amoris Laettia.​​A collection of writing and reporting on Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia by Catholic News Service  A resource page provided by the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Maryland. An article written by Carol Glatz on Catholic News Service that examines comments made by Cardinal Christoph Schonborn on the "irregular situations" that some find themselves in as referenced to by Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia. A video featuring Washington DC Archbishop Cardinal Wuerl speaks to the importance of conscience and culpability within these "irregular situations."An article from the Catholic News Service on Cardinal Christoph Schonborn's comments on Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia and its development of doctrine. Dr. Tim O'Malley PhD, Notre Dame University, and Dr. John Grabowski PhD, the Catholic University of America, provide insight to Pope Francis' exhortation, Amoris Laetitia. An article written by Dr. John Grabowski, PhD of the Catholic University of America on Amoris Laetitia's call for Christian families to be "missionary disciples" and for evangelization. 
.Family Life as Witness to the Gospel Webinar Series
Families experience many different challenges and opportunities to be witnesses to the Gospel. In moments of joy and hardship, some of the greatest opportunities to grow in faith are available. This periodic webinar series, in preparation for the World Meeting of Families in September, looks at aspects and events of family life and how they can be moments for pastoral leaders to evangelize and witness to the Gospel.
  • Marriage Ministry as a Moment for Evangelization
  • The Family as Domestic Church: A Prophetic Witness Against Rugged Individualism
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Marriage Ministry as a Moment for Evangelization
By Carmina Chapp, Associate Director, Theology Programs at Saint Joseph's College Online

Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Programs are unique moments ideally suited for evangelization. It is an intimate way to discuss and share faith as the couple begins the steps to making their lifelong commitment. Marriage ministry can serve as a way to grow and establish their faith, and those that serve in that capacity have a unique opportunity to evangelize. This webinar will offer recommendations for making marriage ministry an opportunity for bringing people to (or back to) faith.
The Family as Domestic Church: A Prophetic Witness Against Rugged Individualism
By Edward J. Trendowski, Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Joseph's College of Maine​The recent Extraordinary Synod on the Family has garnered much attention. As a domestic church, a family can thrive when it is rooted in prayer and communal life, and when the family centers itself on the breaking of the bread (cf. Acts 2:42). The family can be a prophetic witness against the rugged individualism which is present all over the world. This webinar will focus on practical ways that a Catholic family can be a domestic church and also offer ideas for individuals to contemplate which deeply affect family life today.

Working from Home Resources

Tips for Prayerful Productivity: Teleworking
Tips for Prayerful Productivity: Stay-At-Home Parent
Tips For Prayerful Productivity: Teleworking with Kids at Home
Holy Week

General Work from Home Tips

Additional Resources

USCCB and others
Pope Francis
Pope Benedict XVI
Saint John Paul II
2018 World meeting of families
xiv Ordinary assembly of the order of bishops synod on family - 2015
2015 world meeting of families
The page for the Discatery for the Laity, Family and Life.  Salt + Light Media's page for the 2015 World Meeting of Families with helpful videos to aid in preparation for the meeting.  ​
An informational video in preparation for the World Meeting of Families that explains the location of the 2015 meeting (Philadelphia, PA) and what will take place at the meeting. ​ Pope Francis' message to participants of the World Meeting of Families at the prayer vigil on September 26th.  Pope Francis' message to the bishops attending the World Meeting of Families from the Chapel of St. Martin at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.  A transcript of Pope Francis' homily at the concluding Mass of the 2015 World Meeting of Families.  Pope Francis' message to the organizers, volunteers, and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families in 2015.  
2014 synod of bishops on the family
Relatio from the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops Catholic News Service Blog What is the synod of bishops? For the Synod of Bishops on the Pastoral Problems of the Family in the Context of Evangelization For the Synod of Bishops on the Pastoral Problems of the Family in the Context of Evangelization - and God's plan for the family
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