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January 19, 2026Two years ago our diocese began the process of evaluating a different format for marriage preparation, seeking a viable approach that would guide and more readily involve an engaged couple’s understanding of this Sacrament, and their personal faith shared within the Church.
Witness of Love was introduced as the marriage preparation program that affected the participating couples with a deeper sense of their faith, understanding of ‘commitment’ in the Sacrament of Marriage, and a desire to share their presence in the life of the parish. Several parishes within our diocese began incorporating the Witness of Love approach as their marriage preparation program with positive feedback. Though the‘Pre-Cana’ preparation process has been and can be beneficial, it is time for our parish to offer a renewed approach through Witness of Love, with the hope of shaping the engaged couple’s faith as the compass with their upcoming marriage and the family God offers them. Kurt and Rita Phillips are the coordinators of this preparation program for our parish, offering the following explanation of the possibilities within,‘Witness of Love’.Ascension Parish is launching a new marriage formation program called Witness to Love. Witness to Love provides a unique plan to prepare engaged or civilly married couples for a marriage that will last by partnering them with married couples in the parish (called“mentor”couples)
It differs from the sponsor couple program in that the engaged couple chooses a couple in the parish that they admire to accompany them, rather than “instruct”them through a simple, but powerful program that will prepare them for the Sacrament of Marriage and a life in the church.No special training is required to be a mentor couple. For more information contact program coordinators, Kurt or Rita Phillips through the parish offices at 515-423-9711 or email them atmarriage@ascensionboonecounty.org. Most of all, if you and your spouse are asked to be mentors, please say“yes”! " January is considered “Pro-Life” month, centered on the Roe v Wade decision to legalize abortion, and now the continued efforts not just limit or abolish abortion but to draw our society to the reality that all life is precious, from the moment of conception to natural death. Last month our U.S. bishops called on the faithful to observe a nationwide prayer vigil, January 22-23rd, "to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life in post-Roe America." As Bishop Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo emphasizes, "Together, we must pray to change hearts and build a culture of life as we advocate for the most vulnerable.” Next Thursday, the 22nd, at the 8:00am Sacred Heart Mass, and the 5:30pm Mass at St. Malachy, the Eucharist will be centered on theprayers and petitions for the protection of the most vulnerable. Individuals and families are invited to share in Eucharist for the most vulnerable at either Mass next Thursday.
And to anyone may share a few minutes or longer during the hours of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday at St. Malachy, and Thursday at Sacred Heart. Special Prayer sheets will be available for the sanctity of all life, especially the most vulnerable.“Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God's creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.” (Pope Francis)
God Bless, Fr. Tim
“Each of you has a personal vocation which God has given you for your own joy and sanctity. . . . spreading the light of the Lord. . .and transforming the world into a welcoming home for everyone.” (Pope Benedict XVI)