There are always opportunities to grow deeper in your faith and love in your marriage, no matter how long you have been together.
This is one of the thoughts of American Catholic speaker, musician and author Chris Padgett, who is currently visiting the Diocese of Parramatta and will deliver the annual Faith in Marriage Seminar tomorrow night.
Chris and his wife of over 30 years Linda founded The Center for Holy Marriage, which provides courses for engaged and married couples that translate the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage and family life into practical and actionable steps.
“I like to tell couples that marriage is way better and way harder than we thought,” he told Catholic Outlook, “so the talks that I have put together and I try to present to couples are meant to be very practical in trying to love each other more and grounded in Church teachings and Scripture.
“Catholic marriages are special because of its sacramentality. It’s not just two people coming together because they’re passionate or attracted to each other and have common interests. In a Catholic context, we have a deeper understanding that these two people coming together in love reflect the way that God loves. It’s a witness that God is real.
“I think that faith dimension to marriage makes us go above and beyond anything that the world can throw at us.”
US-based speakers and authors and founders of the Center for Holy Marriage Chris (L) and Linda Padgett. Image: Supplied
In preparing for his talk ‘Happy Marriage: Faith-filled ways to a better relationship’, Chris hopes that his simple suggestions will allow couples to dive that little bit deeper into their relationship and into their faith.
“I know that a lot of couples don’t necessarily think a lot about the spiritual aspects of their relationship, but there’s a richness and a depth that a couple can go through when they start including that little bit more.
“What I’m going to share are going to be super practical so even if a couple has been married for 30 years, they’re going to get some stuff out of it. These are tried and true principles that I believe every couple can hear over and over again.”
Whilst in Diocese, Chris was a guest speaker at Catholic Youth Parramatta’s LIFTED Live Jr program with hundreds of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Faith in Action Team (FIAT) Primary School students. He will also speak with Year 10 students at tomorrow’s LIFTED Unleashed program.
American Catholic speaker and author Chris Padgett speaks with Years 5 and 6 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese students at Catholic Youth Parramatta’s LIFTED Live Jr program in Rooty Hill. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
All are welcome to attend Chris Padgett’s FREE presentation at the Diocese’s Faith in Marriage Seminar tomorrow night, Friday 19 May, at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills, at 7.30pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
Couples are also invited to visit chrisandlindapadgett.com for a range of courses and resources run by the Padgetts to build stronger, joy-filled marriages.
