Introductory Letter

Dear Monsignor/Father,

Cardinal O'Malley, Bishop of Coleman, Bishop McDonnell, and Bishop McManus are deeply concerned with the significant decline in Catholic marriages in Massachusetts. The number of sacramental marriages entered into by Massachusetts Catholics has declined sharply over the last two decades - by nearly 60 percent. In 1986, 19,462 Catholic marriages were held in Massachusetts. In 2006, that number was only 7,477.

To address this decline the four Bishops charged the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the public policy office of the Church in Massachusetts, with the task of developing a program to catechize Catholics anew on the natural and supernatural aspects of the vocation to marriage. After all, young families are the future of our parishes.

The results of both national and local surveys indicate that Catholics are interested in learning more about the Church's teaching on marriage. These surveys show a desire by the faithful to hear about marriage in homilies, in bulletin inserts, and from speakers in parish settings.

The conference has developed "The Future Depends on Love" in response to the directive of the four Bishops.

To assist you, parochial vicars, deacons, pastoral associates, and parish volunteers with the work of this initiative, the Conference has prepared the Parish Resource Binder on marriage. It contains materials that can be used in a variety of parish settings. Two electronic resources are included: a DVD, The Vocation to Marriage, by the Knights of Columbus and a CD, Contraception: Why Not, by Janet Smith, Ph.D. Facilitation Suggestions and study questions are enclosed for both. Eight bulletin inserts and corresponding suggestions are provided. The inserts are available in Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole. Please contact the Conference if you would like any of these translations.

The Resource Binder also contains: fact sheets and bulletin inserts from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); a list of presentations and retreats available from Worldwide Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille (ministry for trouble marriages); and fact-sheets from secular sources. There is a separate section containing resources for separated and divorced Catholics.

The Conference stands ready to assist you in bringing "The Future Depends on Love" to the faithful throughout the Commonwealth. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or requests.

We appreciate all the work that you do in serving the Catholic faithful in Massachusetts. We ask for your prayers that, through the intercession of the Holy Family, this initiative will help re-focus and educate the people on the beautiful vocation of marriage and bring about a future built on love.

Sincerely,

Edward F. Saunders Jr., Esquire
Executive Director
Massachusetts Catholic Conference

Angela Franks, Ph.D.
J. David Franks, Ph.D.
Coordinators "The Future Depends on Love"