Programs/events include marriage preparation and enrichment, spiritual growth and retreats, social justice issues, natural family planning, and support for hurting and grieving families.
Contact Family Life Ministries for information on the following:
Marriage Preparation
Learn more about the Diocesan Marriage Preparation programs available.
Natural Family Planning Ministry
For information on Natural Family Planning Methods, teachers a schedule and registration form click here. Attendance is required for all engaged couples and encouraged for married couples.
Courage and EnCourage
Courage is an apostolate which ministers to those who experience same sex attraction. Founded in 1980, Courage proclaims that holiness and happiness are possible for its members who strive to know Christ more profoundly and seek to follow him in the Gospel way of life. At the root of the ministry is the belief that “people should not be defined by their sexual tendencies, . . . and we are destined to receive his infinite love.” (Pope Francis, The Name of God is Mercy.)
Email: courage@diorc.org or call 605-646-3363
EnCourage ministers to the friends and family of those who experience same sex attraction, seeking to provide support for the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, children, and other relatives and friends of persons who have same sex attractions.
Email: encourage@diorc.org or call 605-519-8688
For more information, visit https://couragerc.org/
Retreat Ministry
FLM sponsors annual diocesan weekend retreats for adult men and women of the Diocese of Rapid City. Each of these retreats is designed to minister to men and women in their particular state of life, living out the vocation to which God has called them.
2019 Men’s Retreat: November 8-10, 2019
2019 Women’s Retreat: October 25-27, 2019
Silent Retreats
In conjunction with the Faith Formation Office and Terra Sancta, FLM is also offering periodic silent preached retreats. These midweek retreats take advantage of the lull in visitors at the retreat center to allow the retreatants to experience silence more deeply. Within silence is the opportunity for deep and meaningful spiritual reflection and discovery. In silence you can hear yourself think; but more importantly, you also give yourself the opportunity to actively listen for the voice of God and His desire for your life.
2019 Silent Retreats:
August 25-30, 2019
Cursillo
Cursillo is about supporting Catholics in their walk with Jesus Christ. It is about building a solid, loving, informed understanding of God’s call and putting our lives into action.
The weekend focuses on how piety, study, and action are all essential parts of a solid foundation and how small groups can support us in our walk.
Call Richard Rangle 605-391-4187, richard.rangel@rushmore.com or Dave Elkjer 605-209-6782, delkjer@vastbb.net for information or to register.
Rachel’s Vineyard
A weekend retreat for any woman or man who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. All inquiries/registrations are confidential.
For information about local retreats, contact Carol Kling at (605) 374-5639 or email ckling@sdplains.com.
For more information contact the national office at 1-877-Hope-4-Me.
Website: www.rachelsvineyard.org
2019 Dates:
October 11-13, 2019 near Faith, SD
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Amy Julian2019-04-04 12:52:442019-04-12 16:09:22How to Talk to a Friend Who's Had an Abortion
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Amy Julian2019-03-28 18:16:312019-04-12 16:13:49Hope and Healing After Abortion
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Amy Julian2019-03-28 18:11:432019-04-12 16:09:57Testimonials about Rachel's Vineyard
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Amy Julian2019-03-28 18:06:402019-04-12 16:10:48Rachel's Vineyard Retreats for Healing after Abortion
Social Justice Commission
The commissions agenda includes promoting respect for all human life from conception to natural death, advocating on behalf of the poor for economic justice, working of the common good in society and the world, and encouraging good stewardship of God’s creation. Chairperson: Deacon Greg Palmer. Click here for more information
Returning Catholic Ministries
Catholics Returning Home, is a six-week series for non-practicing Catholics who are considering returning to the church. The informal sessions are held three times a year. There is no charge and pre-registration is not required. For more information, email info@returningcatholics.net , call (605) 939-0579, or visit http://ReturningCatholics.net.
Catholics Come Home is a three-week series for people who were raised Catholic, but seldom or never come to Mass, feel separated from the Church, but would like to feel at home in the Catholic Church again. This series is an opportunity to consider renewing their relationship with their Catholic family. For more information call or email Diane Say at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 605-642-2306 or diane@stjosephspearfish.com.
Surviving Divorce
Helping You Find Peace, Power, and Passion After Your Divorce
Separated or Divorced? Join us in a ministry that will bring hope and healing to those who have experienced the pain and loneliness of a broken marriage. Surviving Divorce covers topics including shock and grief, anger and forgiveness, money issues, dealing with children and a former spouse, and annulment and remarriage. This program is for the newly separated and divorced and those still struggling with issues many years later. It will help them find answers to their questions, restore their hope, and begin authentic healing. This eight-week support group is open to Christian men and women of all denominations. Participants can register online. A $30 registration fee covers all materials. Scholarship help is available for those in financial need. For more information, contact Amy Julian at 716-5214 or ajulian@diorc.org.
Surviving Divorce AfterCare
Meets monthly at Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
For information contact Amy Julian at 605-716-5214 or ajulian@diorc.org
Bereavement Support Groups
Heal Your Grief
When a loved one dies, we are wounded. Just as a wound does, we need to heal from within, to express our thoughts and feelings. a support group is a safe place where you can talk, cry, and share your anger, guilt an fears with those who care and understand. Heal Your Grief is an eight-week non-denominational support group open to all Christian adults who have lost a loved one due to death. For more information contact Janece Rieman at (605) 343-5547 or George Wallace at 605-721-3811.
Fall Sessions begin the Last Monday of September at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 4500 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Winter Sessions begin the last Monday of January at Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 520 Cathedral Drive, Rapid City 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Looking for a way to increase the love and romance in your marriage? Do you need time just for the two of you? Instead of simply listening to lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will actually learn a practical communication technique and have an opportunity to rediscover your hopes and dreams for your marriage. Your marriage is your most important relationship! NOW is a good time to invest time in your health, happy relationship, and reconnect with your spouse. Renew the commitment, intimacy and passion in your marriage. Priests and other religious are also welcome and encouraged to attend.
Weekend topics include: exploring personality styles, communicating our feelings, dealing with the busy world around us, learning how to improve our listening skills, understanding God’s plan for our marriage, keeping our relationship a priority and more.
For more information visit our website at: sdwwme.org or contact John & Dawn at applications@sdwwme.org or 605-359-1533.
2020 Date: TBA
Restore communication * Renew Commitment * Rekindle Romance
Special FLM Events:
Celebration of Marriage
An annual Mass and Luncheon to honor couples celebrating their 25th, 40th or 50th or more Anniversaries.
2019 Event: October 6, 2019 at Terra Sancta Retreat Center
Married Sweethearts Mass and Dinner-Dance
Celebrate Valentines Day with your Sweetheart! Join us in a special Celebration of the Holy Mass , followed by a delicious dinner and dance at Terra Sancta Retreat Center.