The Alexander HouseUPDATE

Proclaiming the Beauty, Goodness & Truth of Marriage

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0

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

Free/ to ta l/ fa i t h f u l/ f r u i t f u l

On August 7, The Alexander House Apostolate welcomed Father John Corapi to San Antonio’s AT&T Center, where he captivated an audience of over 10,000 with a straight-talking delivery of a day-long series of talks entitled “Life, Love, and the Purpose of our Existence.” People traveled from across the country to hear the 63 year-old priest’s message woven with personal stories and firm admonitions. No subject was off-limits as he warned

of evils of socialism, secularism, abortion, homosexual marriage, and the danger of a luke-warm response from the faithful. His final message was one of hope: hope found in the Church, hope found in the family, and hope found in the power of love.

In between Father Corapi’s talks, Greg and Julie Alexander took the stage to share the story of The Alexander House and their vision for the future of the apostolate. In addition to their current service as a resource of programs and materials for marriages of all ages and stages, the Alexander’s presented their plan to develop a Center for Marriage, w h e r e c o u p l e s w i l l c o m e f o r workshops, retreats, prayer and reflection.

Other highlights of the day were the musical talents of Michael John Poirier and Friends and the wit and charm of our local celebrity and MC, Richard Reyna, General Manager of Guadalupe Radio Network. Several priests heard Confessions through the day and a special Adoration Chapel was available for participants.

Perhaps the most moving part of the day was the Vigil Mass which was celebrated by Fr. Anthony Anderson, Father Corapi and approximately 30 priests and deacons. Again, Michael John Poirier and Friends added both b e a u t y a n d r e v e r e n c e t o t h i s sacramental celebration.

A replica of San Antonio’s iconic Alamo Mission was the backdrop for the event. Adding to the beauty of the stage were an 8 foot, hand-painted San Damiano crucifix made and donated especially for this event and a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe surrounded by flowers and a fountain, where people came to pray the Rosary during the breaks.

In addition to the day-long activities at the AT&T Center, a Book Signing was held at the Sheraton Gunter on Friday. Many of Father Corapi’s best materials were available and approximately 2,000 people took this rare opportunity to meet and briefly visit with a man who some consider a prophet for our times.

Please visit our website to view a video of many of the photographs from the event. You may purchase these photos f r o m www.carlosramirezphotography.com. A CD or DVD of Father Corapi’s talks can b e p u r c h a s e d f r o m www.fathercorapi.com.

IN THIS Is su e✤ PAGE ONE Father Corapi Brings a Message of Hope to San Antonio

✤ PAGE TWO Pam Stenzel Draws more than 400 Parents and Youth

Laughter in the Midst of Parenting

✤ PAGE THREE Testimonies

We Want You To Know

✤ PAGE FOUR Tips to Enrich Your Marriage

FATHER CORAPI BRINGS A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO SAN ANTONIO

F r e e / t o t a l / f a i t h f u l / f r u i t f u l

THE ALEXANDER HOUSE 2 September 2010

Six Covenant of Love parishes in the Archdiocese of Denver joined together to sponsor an overwhelmingly positive and successful evening with Pam Stenzel who gave a talk titled “Sex Has a Price Tag”. Pam gave her talk in the beautiful downtown Denver parish of Holy Ghost Church. The Pastor, Fr. Tom Carzon, O.M.V. along with some of the most generous parishioners of Holy Ghost sponsored the event and were most gracious in their hospitality and paid for Pam to come to Denver.

Matt T. from Denver, who attended the event with his wife and children said, “Pam’s message was very hard hitting, but that is what we all need in this current culture. The best part was that

it gave us as parents with our kids the starting point to have more open dialogue with our kids about this most important topic.”

Pam has traveled worldwide, speaking in person to over 500,000 young people each year about issues of sexuality and the importance of abstinence. Her videos are viewed by mill ions worldwide. Pam also holds seminars with parents and educators regarding issues of teen sex and how vital character building is established in a child’s upbringing.

Pam’s mother was raped and Pam is the fruit of that rape. Pam worked in a crisis pregnancy center for 16 years.

She is married and has three children of her own. Pam converted to the Catholic faith in 2004 and we are all so grateful for her witness and especially for her biological mother for having the courage to say yes to life!

PAM STENZEL DRAWS MORE THAN 400 PARENTS AND YOUTH!!

LAUGHTER IN THE MIDST OF PARENTING

www.pamstenzel.com

What? Yes, finding joy in parenting with Dr. Ray Guarendi. The evening was sponsored by Alexander House and Couple to Couple League’s Denver Chapter. This event was held in celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the prophetic encyclical of Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life).

Dr. Ray’s authentically Catholic approach to parenting is both refreshing

and so doable. His presentation drew over 130 people and much laughter throughout the evening. Many who attended were caught up in the laughter of this most talented speaker. Most of the talk was so practical without all the psychobabble. One of Dr. Ray’s most notable quotes is, “We as parents of children are called to discipline our children because if we don’t or we fail to discipline them someone else down the road will...” One of the biggest challenges that parents have today, Dr. Ray says, is the failure to follow through with their discipline.

Comment form Kristina A. after the talk at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial Colorado, “Dr. Ray Guarendi is one of the most effective speakers I have seen in the past few years. If you want to enjoy, learn and

laugh... while getting a better ‘handle’ on your role as a parent or teacher, Dr. Ray is a must. My husband and I along with many others bought some of his books and audio CD’s and we can’t wait to start implementing these valuable tips in our home with our children.”

Dr. Ray Guarendi is a father of 10, a clinical psychologist, an author, a public speaker and a radio host. His radio show - “The Doctor Is In” - can be heard weekdays. Please see our radio affiliate listings (Ave Maria Radio & EWTN Radio) for a station in your area.

Dr. Ray’s experience includes school districts, Head Start programs, mental health centers, substance abuse programs, inpatient psychiatric centers, juvenile courts and private practice.www.drray.com

F r e e / t o t a l / f a i t h f u l / f r u i t f u lDONOR TESTIMONIES

THE ALEXANDER HOUSE 3 September 2010

For more information on the Covenant of Love Marriage Ministry, go to www.covenantoflove.org

The Covenant of Love Ministry could not have come to our parish at a better time than it did. It was 2 1/2 years ago, when after the threat of divorce, our marriage went through an amazing transformation, thanks to God. Shortly after, Greg and Julie Alexander visited our parish to introduce the Covenant of Love and the first meeting was announced. Wanting to stay on the right path to strengthening our newly restored marriage, we decided to go and we’ve gone to the meetings regularly ever since. We’ve learned many things about God’s design for marriage and now realize how we were missing out on much of the beauty that God has to offer our marriage. It has also become more clear as to what God expects of us as husband and wife. The monthly meetings help keep us focused on continuing to seeking God’s guidance for our marriage so we don’t become complacent. We leave with new understanding and thoughts that give us an opportunity to spend time together in discussion. We like to call The Covenant of Love meetings our Continuing Education course for our marriage. After all, so many other important vocations have CE courses. Why not a vocation as important as marriage?George and Robin Zamora

WE WANT YOU TO KNOW

WE ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE

FOLLOWING :* Light office duties a few hours a week* Prayer Partners* Editor

WE HAVE NEW BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS

New Board:Cece Smith - Vice PresidentTed Early - TreasurerCamille DiMaio - Secretary

New Staff:Michelle Phinizy - Development DirectorJoanna Mancini - Covenant of Love CoordinatorRobin Zamora - Newsletter Volunteer

OUR WISH LIST:* New or gently used office furniture* Office equipment

We are moving into an office and would greatly appreciate any office furniture or equipment you no longer need and would like to donate.

If you feel called to become a volunteer or would like to donate needed items please contact us at:michelle@thealexanderhouse.org

Thanks to the commitment of the Alexander House and the vision of Greg and Julie there is hope that the traditional values of marriage, family, commitment, and love are possible to maintain in today’s society. This is one reason we choose to support this organization as the values of the Alexander House mirror our values and we, along with so many other couples are blessed in countless ways because of the mission of the Alexander House. It’s nice to know that being a married couple statistic (33 years - thanks be to God!) still counts for something in this day and age - with all glory and praise in His Mighty Name!John F., Jr. and Alberta L. MatthewsSt. Anthony Mary Claret Roman Catholic Church

COUPLE TESTIMONY

The Alexander House Apostolate is on a mission to change the world, one marriage at a time... one family at a time... touching lives in the most profound way. They care about what they do and about the hurting couples they serve because through this they are serving God.Elda Peters

Tips to Enrich Your Marriage“And the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.” - Mark 10:8

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN NEED OF HELP

IN THEIR MARRIAGE OR ARE PREPARING FOR

MARRIAGE ~ CALL US!(210) 858-6195

YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT HELPS SPREAD THE GOOD

NEWS OF MARRIAGE!www.thealexanderhouse.org/support

P. O . B o x 5 9 2 1 0 7S a n A n t o n i o , T X 7 8 2 5 9

Building Stronger Foundations forChrist Centered Marriages

As you can see in this diagram, both the husband and wife have an individual relationship with God as well as a close relationship with each other. Notice that as the husband and wife grow closer to God, they actually draw closer to each other; therefore, truly becoming one flesh. This means that a vital part of a husband and wife’s relationship is their individual relationship with God.You must encourage and support your spouse in strengthening their relationship with God in order to see growth in your marriage.

God

Husband Wife

Becoming one

Ways to help your spouse grow closer to God:

* Encourage personal time in prayer. Wives, pray for your husbands that God would give them wisdom, strength, knowledge, and power to overcome temptation. Ask God to reveal His plan for both of you. Husbands, pray for God’s help and seek His insight and leadership as you learn new ways to express your love to your wives.

* Encourage personal Bible study. Try to study your Bible daily for yourselves. You can double your insight by sharing what you learn with your spouse.

* Encourage participation in fellowship and worship. Try to attend a week day Mass whenever possible in addition to Sunday Mass. Encourage each other to volunteer in the various ministries in your parish. Make sure you and your spouse stay involved, even if it requires some creative scheduling.

Please pray for us as we prepare and plan for the upcoming Benefit Dinner.

Pray for a safe and healthy delivery this month for the Alexander’s 7th child.

Pray for all marriages, especially those who are struggling.

Pray for all the new parishes starting Covenant of Love Ministries.

2010 Prayer Intentions