Diocesan Resources
Consultation on Sustaining & Enriching Marriage: The Hispanic Experience in Marriage Enrichment by Alicia I. Perez (2007)
Consultation on Sustaining & Enriching Marriage: The Hispanic Experience in Marriage Enrichment by Alicia I. Perez, Associate Director of Family Life Ministry, Archdiocese of Galveston Houston
Immigrants to the United States from Latin American Countries see the Church as a source of Wisdom. This is the experience they bring from their countries of origin. They see the church as a safe place “a sanctuary.”
When their marriage is in crisis, couples look to the hierarchy for guidance. They are not always aware of the difference between moral and spiritual guidance, emotional health and interpersonal relational skills. Their mothers, neighbors and friends will tell a couple that has a relationship problem to go to the church “por un consejo” (for guidance). They will trust what the priest says.
Therefore, the Church is in a unique position. Parishes are the best possible place to do marriage enrichment and to lead couples to the fountain of knowledge and experience that they may need in their marital relationship.