matrimonio
Marriage
“For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
- Ephesians 5:31
Marriage is a sacrament that is seen as a sign of love that establishes between the spouses a permanent and exclusive bond and covenant sealed by God. The Sacrament confers on the couple the grace they need for attaining holiness in their married life and for the commitment to their children's faith formation.
Initial Steps
You’re Engaged! What next?
Congratulations on your engagement! We are overjoyed to walk with you as you prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony. To begin your journey in our Family of Parishes, please follow these foundational steps.
01
Inquiry
Call or email the parish office to announce your engagement. Couples should contact their office at least 9-12 months prior to their desired wedding date. During inquiry we are making sure everything we are putting in place for you as a unique couple is right. We are making sure we've asked all the big questions we need to and are doing our best to set you up for fruitful and successful preparation.
02
Preparation
This is where the meat of the formation is offered. It will require you to make this preparation a priority. We are committed to helping you have a firm foundation for the long, faithful, and faith-filled marriage we all anticipate for you. The Lord will provide the grace, we're just tilling the soil.
03
Anticipation
We'll help you make sure all your t's are crossed an i's are dotted on our end. We also want you to be getting ready for the beginning of your life together in meaningful ways by reviewing the details of your ceremony, praying with the readings for your wedding, going to confession, fasting for each other, and consciously inviting God into your wedding and marriage. Use this time to seek the wisdom and counsel of others.
04
Marriage
Your covenant begins on your wedding day and you live that vocation every day with your spouse and the Lord. We are here to make that day as smooth, reverent, beautiful, joyous, and solemn as we can. If you have any questions or concerns about the specific policies and expectations for your wedding day, please ask. We are happy to talk about them.
Sacramental Convalidation
Couples who have entered into a civil marriage outside of the Catholic Church are invited to seek the Sacrament of Matrimony through convalidation. This beautiful process brings your marriage into the life of the Church, inviting God’s grace to strengthen your union as you dedicate your family life to Christ.
Las parejas que han contraído matrimonio civil fuera de la Iglesia Católica están invitadas a buscar el Sacramento del Matrimonio a través de la convalidación. Este hermoso proceso integra su matrimonio en la vida de la Iglesia, invitando la gracia de Dios a fortalecer su unión mientras dedican su vida familiar a Cristo.
Marriage Discipleship
For more information, contact Tony Cali at tcali@smafp.org
Preparing for a living, loving married life
Preparation for marriage is not just for the wedding day when family and friends gather to witness and celebrate the commitment the bride and groom make to each other; it is preparation for the day-to-day relationship the husband and wife will live throughout their married life whereby their lives, through the Sacrament they receive, will become a witness to others of Christ’s love for His Church.
The Family has made a commitment to support engaged couples in living out their Sacrament during their journey toward married life by providing an ongoing enrichment process to aid them in the journey. Responsible participation in this process is an indication of the serious understanding of the commitment underlying their relationship.
Contact Tony Cali at 937-426-1733 xt. 6005 or tcali@smafp.org
Once a month date nights to keep the spark alive!
Contact (amwilson13@yahoo.com) for more information
Join other married and engaged couples once a month to grow in love and communion with other engaged and married couples.
Ministry for newlywed couples in the first five years of marriage
Contact Tony Cali at 937-426-1733 xt. 6005 or tcali@smafp.org for more information
What is Acts 2:42 Ministry?
Acts 2:42 Ministry is for married couples in their first five years of marriage within our Family of Parishes. The host couple welcomes the married couples to their home for food, fellowship, faith sharing, and prayer. During the monthly gatherings the host couple will provide a meal, lead the faith discussion, and facilitate prayer together. All prayer, discussion, and topics will be informed by Catholic teaching, rooted in Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.
Scriptural Foundation: Acts 2:42-47
Communal Life: They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Host Couples:
Bill and Michelle Baldygo: Sundays, once per month, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Contact information: william.baldygo@icloud.com and michelle.baldygo@gmail.com
Bill and Michelle have been married for almost 34 years and moved from upstate New York to Beavercreek in 2006 along with their three sons, Matthew, Christopher, and Joshua, who are now grown. They have been active members of St. Luke Parish since 2006. Michelle stayed home to raise their sons until 2013 and then began working at the University of Dayton where she currently serves as a Special Projects Coordinator for the Associate Provost. Bill has served for 36 years as a research engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). In their spare time Michelle enjoys crafting and taking long walks, and Bill enjoys bicycling, flyfishing, hiking, and photography. As they approach retirement, they look forward to contributing more to parish ministries, as well as enjoying some travel and possibly camping. They enjoy spending time together as a family and are blessed to have their three sons living nearby where weekly Sunday dinner as a family remains a cherished time together. Their oldest son and his wife are expecting their first child in March, and Bill and Michelle are excited about becoming grandparents. They are looking forward to growing in their faith and connecting with young couples.
Tony and Angie Cali: Sundays, once per month, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Contact information: tcaliv2@gmail.com
Tony & Angie were married in 1991, 34-years, with Angie converting to Catholicism in ‘89 while dating Tony. They are college sweethearts, and really respect young couples approaching their own committed marriage covenant and keeping their faith strong. “We enjoy learning from younger couples and respect the devotion they carry. We also appreciate those with concern and question how strong of Catholics they might be”. Our home is remote and seated in woods. If you enjoy occasional camp fires or being outside, we'd love to meet and get know you.