Proclaiming the Beauty, Goodness & Truth of Marriage

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IN THISIs su e✤ PAGE ONE It’s Time for All Men to “Man Up”

✤ PAGE TWO See to Enrich Couples Across the Globe

✤ PAGE THREE Couple Testimonies

✤ PAGE FOUR Tips to Enrich Your Marriage

The Alexander House

Box 592107 San Antonio, TX 78259 (210) 858-6195 www.thealexanderhouse.org

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UPDATE

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The Alexander HouseUPDATE

Proclaiming the Beauty, Goodness & Truth of Marriage

If you googled the phrase “man up” you will get a whole host of references. Everything from “macho’ to “suck it up”, but the traditional definition for this p h r a s e i s a c c e p t i n g responsibility for one’s actions. One’s actions should not be some miscalculated effort, but a true attempt to live a life that has been prescribed for you by God, as a man.

My challenge for today is specifically for husbands and, more importantly, fathers and I’m afraid that I’m going to have

to ask you to “Man Up” for the salvation of the family, the nation and the world.

In this case, to “man-up” means to accept your responsibility as being the Spiritual Leader of your family. Not only is this something that the average wife desires and hopes for, but it is also what every man longs for, as this role is woven into the very fabric of being a man. In addition to these facts, it is what God expects of us as men. However, if you were to ask the average man to write a job description for this position he would be hard-pressed to do so. Where do you start?

In order to be the spiritual leader that God intended you to be, you must first go to the source. Having your own personal relationship with God is a must!

Pray for the desire to become the man that God has created you to be. Have an open heart because in these days we are bombarded with the messages from society and our culture that are contrary to what God’s design is. It has been engraved in our minds that a man does whatever he wants, whenever he wants as long as it brings

pleasure, excitement and a sense of ‘being somebody’.

We have worked with many men who claim to have never been given a good example of what it means to be a man. To this I say that we have just not looked in the right place. Every time we read scripture, the teachings of the Church, get on our knees and pray and lead our family in prayer are the moments when God reveals to us the most of what it means to be a man. Being meek and humble is the specifications that were left for us to follow. Laying down our lives for others, dying to ourselves for the sake of the other – all for the purpose of being an example of Christ here on earth. Our duty as men is much more than to provide for the financial means of our family. We are to teach our loved ones how to surrender to God’s plan for our lives. By doing so we assist them in g row ing i n ho l i ness and becoming more l i ke God Himself. Stop judging yourself on how much you make, but rather on how many souls you lead to Him.

Itʼs Time for All Men to “Man Up”

THE ALEXANDER HOUSE 2 June 2010

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The founders of a San Antonio-based organization devoted to helping lower the divorce rate agree. For 11 years, the Alexander House has assisted nearly a thousand couples in troubled marriages to preserve their covenant by rebuilding the bonds of love and inviting God into their relationship.

Through their outreach, founders Greg and Julie Alexander began to see the need to educate and support couples throughout their marriage, not just when hurt and hopelessness have already led to profound brokenness. So two years ago, the Alexander House Apostolate created a parish-based initiative to help all married couples understand God’s plan for marriage and learn ways to deepen their commitment to one another in love and selfless service to family, church and community.

“We saw other denominations offering numerous programs for married couples,” Greg Alexander says. “And we wanted to minister to the Catholic faithful. Julie and I decided to start working on the Covenant of Love Ministry, a dedicated marriage ministry which is implemented at the parish level by married couples.”

Reques t s fo r the p rogram continue to grow. Some 55 parishes are using the Covenant of Love Ministry’s Marriage Group model, which renews couples through prayer and individual reflection with a focus on fun, fellowship and faith. “A parish in Louisiana tells us that 120 couples per month are participating – and that it’s literally transforming the life of the parish itself,” Alexander says.

Covenant of Love recently went international, with one parish in Canada and another in the UK now participating. Interested parishes in South Africa and Sydney, Australia have also inquired about it.

Meeting the growing requests and needs of married couples on an international scale will require a significant increase in time and finances. To help meet this need, the Alexander House is bringing renowned preacher Father John Corapi to San Antonio, Texas on August 7, 2010.

Fr. Corapi, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, will lead a daylong conference entitled Life, Love and the Purpose of Our Existence. The priest is known for his wit and wisdom, borne o f an extraordinary life journey that took him from millionaire to homeless drug addict to devout

preacher of Christ and defender of the Church.

Greg eagerly anticipates how he and Julie can continue to help ful f i l l God’s p lan for the Alexander House. “We’re very excited about the future. Proceeds from the Corapi conference will enable us to hire more staff to take the Covenant of Love ministry directly to many, many more married couples,” he says. “Eventually, we hope to develop additional services to address even more specific ages and stages of married life … starting from young adult couples still preparing for marriage to those who have journeyed together for decades.”

The ultimate vision of the Alexander House is to see a society full of married couples who are living God’s plan for marriage, so that the joy, sanctity and permanence of the sacrament may be realized and preserved.

Individual tickets for “Life, Love, and the Purpose of our Existence” beg in a t $37 .00 . For more information or to reserve seats, call (800) 745-3000 or visit fathercorapisa.com. To inquire about individual and corporate sponsorships, contact the Father C o r a p i E v e n t C h a i r m a n at: info@fathercorapisa.com. Alexander House is a 501 (c)(3) lay Catholic Apostolate, non-profit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible.

Seeking to Enrich Couples Across the Globe

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The Covenant of Love Marriage Group Saves a Marriage

THE ALEXANDER HOUSE 3 June 2010

A couple approached us before Mass one Sunday and told us that they were getting a divorce the next day. The papers were ready and all they had to do was to go and sign them. The reason they told us, Jimmy and Joanna, is because they had attended a “date night” at Santa Cruz and it was the night we told “our story.” They had been thinking of us in go ing through the i r problems. They had thought of how much worse our problems were than theirs, and how with God, our marriage had turned around from a very unhealthy, unhappy relationship into an amazing, beautiful, happy, holy relationship.

Our immediate response to their statement, “We’re getting a divorce tomorrow” was “Oh no, please don’t” with tears in my eyes. We asked them to please not do anything until they talked to us, and they agreed that they wouldn’t. We talked at length that day and encouraged

them to get help…..to not give up…..that God can heal their marriage……their children needed them to be together…happi ly together….that God’s plan for marriage is always good! We continued to talk to them and pray for them and they did get help. Months later, they came back for another Covenant of Love date night. They announced to the group that they had been on the brink of divorce and that we, Jimmy and Joanna, were the only two people who had encouraged them to work it out….to NOT get divorced. All their friends and family members had supported them getting a divorce. They said things like sometimes it’s better to spilt up….sometimes you just aren’t meant to be together…..it’s better for the kids that you not be together fighting…..you tried…..you’ll be happier if you get divorced…..we s u p p o r t y o u . S u p p o r t you…..what???? How can people

say we support you when they are encouraging a divorce. It’s very sad that is the way of the world. This couple embraces us every time we see them….and they thank us for giving them the right advice…….to turn to God and to seek help and to fight for their marriage. They are so happy the did…..and we are so honored that God used us as His instruments to speak to them on His behalf……to NOT get divorced. I f i t weren’ t for Covenant of Love…..this couple would not have even told us that they were getting divorce……..and today their lives would be much different. Thank you Julie and Greg for making this much needed marriage ministry possible for us all. We are so blessed!!!

Jimmy & Joanna Mancinni Lead Couple - Santa Cruz - Buda, TX

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Congratulations to the Dalton

family on the birth of their 7th

child - Levi James Dalton. May

God bless you all and keep you safe!

Tips to Enrich Your Marriage

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN NEED OF HELP

IN THEIR MARRIAGE OR ARE PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE ~ CALL US!

(210) 858-6195

Nonsexual Touch in Your Marriage

Nonsexual touch and other signs of affection strengthens your marriage relationship, creates a comforting and calming atmosphere in your home, builds trust between the two of you, and deepens your intimacy with one another. Do not let nonsexual touch become a thing of the past in your marriage! Here are more examples of affection and nonsexual touch in marriage:

• Holding hands both privately and in public.• Nonsexual massage of neck, shoulders, back.• Hugs.• Sitting close to one another both privately and in public.• Kisses, especially unexpected kisses.• Holding one another.• Cuddling, snuggling.• Walking arm in arm.• Reaching across the table to touch hands.• Simple caring and tender gestures such as resting your hand on your

spouse's leg.• Putting your hand on your spouse's shoulder.• Gentle caresses.

Prayer Intentions

For the success of the Fr. Corapi Event

For all marriages that are experiencing difficulties at this time

That The Alexander House may be an instrument of God’s healing grace.

YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT HELPS US TO

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS OF MARRIAGE!

P.O. Box 592107San Antonio, TX 78259

Tips to Enrich Your Marriage