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Welcome to the Office of Marriage and Family Life!
Our Mission:
The Diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life serves the bishop and support the Pastors and parishes of the Diocese of Green Bay by recommending programs for family life ministries, offer trainings for parish leaders to support and strengthen families and to build a culture of marriage and family life.
Our office is responsible for coordinating formal preparation for the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony, recommends programs for family life ministries, provides support for healing families struggling with loss, grief and brokenness as well as collaborating with other diocesan offices in the service of evangelization. The Office of Marriage and Family Life also organizes the annual Jubilarian Wedding Anniversary Mass in honor of catholic couples who celebrate significant wedding anniversaries.
Marriage Preparation, Marriage Enrichment, Support and healing for Marriage and families, all our services and resources are provided both in English and Spanish.
“Willed by God in the very act of creation, marriage and family are interiorly ordained to fulfillment in Christ and have need of His graces in order to be healed from the wounds of sin and restored to their beginning, that is, to full understanding and the full realization of God’s plan” Familiaris Consortium #3
Contact us for:
Congratulations on your engagement!
The preparation for the holy sacrament of matrimony is a beautiful response to God’s gift for marriage and family life. Our Diocesan office wants to assist you with this calling to a life of self-giving and commitment and to share with you the beauty of the vocation of marriage.
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: marriageministries@gbdioc.org
Select an option below for dates and registration links. If you have any questions, please call 920-272-8283.
View the (English) Marriage Preparation Class Schedule
Haga clic aquí para ver el Horario de Clases de Preparación Matrimonial (Hispano)
There are two online marriage preparation courses that we recommend. Please select an option below to learn more about the class and to register.
“Theology of the Bodyˮ through Catholic Marriage Prep
CatholicMarriagePrep.com is based on Saint John Paul IIʼs Theology of the Body and is the only online pre-Cana program offering personalized one-on-one mentoring by trained married couples. These mentors guide couples throughout the entire process. CatholicMarriagePrep.com encourages couples to deepen their relationships with each other and with Christ. A key objective of their marriage preparation is to foster meaningful discussions between the future bride and groom, helping them build a foundation for a strong, healthy, holy, and Christ-centered marriage. The program is available in English, Spanish, and French.
“Living our Faith in Loveˮ through The Marriage Group
The Marriage Group online Catholic marriage preparation program (pre-Cana) includes newly produced videos featuring a great variety of relatable individuals and couples, filmed on modern, contemporary sets. The presenters encourage couples to pause the videos throughout, taking some time for meaningful discussions about their relationship and upcoming married life.
FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study) is a parish ministry preparing engaged couples for marriage. FOCCUS Facilitator Training is offered to married couples seeking to guide engaged couples through this ministry.
(If you are an engaged couple looking to do the FOCCUS inventory for your marriage preparation, please contact your parish.)
If you are a parish, refer to the parish portal for additional information.
A collection of information and resources from the Wisconsin Catholic Bishops to help couples prepare for lifelong successful marriages that bring them happiness and joy, by living their commitment to each other, to God and to the Catholic community.
Marriage enrichment resources are designed to help couples grow in love, deepen their connection, and strengthen their relationship. These resources offer practical tools, spiritual guidance, and support to help spouses navigate lifeʼs challenges together while growing in faith and commitment. Whether youʼre newly married or celebrating years together, these resources are here to support your journey toward a thriving marriage.
Check back soon for the 2026 retreat.
Marriage and Family Life in the Diocese of Green Bay is dedicated to fostering a culture where strong marriages and families thrive. Through a variety of programs and resources, it supports pastors and parishes in nurturing the sacrament of marriage and the gift of family life. To learn more, call 920-272-8283 or email marriageministries@gbdioc.org.
We support parents with everything from fostering family prayer to navigating the challenges of parenting in a digital age. Additionally, we assist parishes in creating and sustaining ministries and programs that nurture strong, faith-filled families.
“The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church.ˮ
-Pope Francis
The Church recognizes parents as the “primary educators and disciplersˮ of their children. Among all the influential figures in a childʼs life—priests, catechists, and Catholic school teachers—it is the example set by parents that shapes their habits of discipleship and their relationship with Jesus. What an incredible responsibility! This resource is designed to help parents guide their children in discovering Jesus, following Him, worshiping Him, and sharing His love with others.
Resource shows the value of marriage — especially for the kids and all of society
For couples celebrating significant anniversaries, learn how to request a Papal Blessing Parchment by submitting your request directly to the Papal Charities Office in Vatican City or through their official website.
If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please email us at marriageministries@gbdioc.org
A vibrant community of local users, offering resource sharing, mutual support, and a central hub for virtual events.
Saturday, September 6th, 2025
11:00 am
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
140 S. Monroe Ave
Green Bay, WI 54301
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Check back soon for the 2026 retreat.
Celebrate this yearly event from February 7th – February 14th. National Marriage Week is an opportunity to build a culture of marriage and family life that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. The USCCB Secretariat on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth offers resources to bishops, priests, deacons, married couples, and lay men and women to help celebrate and live the great gift of married life.
A national campaign developed by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that offer a variety of educational
formats in the local church to focus attention on Natural Family Planning methods and Church teachings that support
their use in marriage. The dates of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week highlight the anniversary of the papal
encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25) which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love, and
responsible parenthood. Click here to learn more!
Within the Diocese, we view annulments as a deeply compassionate process that acknowledges the complexities of relationships. Itʼs not about passing judgment, but rather discerning whether, at the time of the wedding, certain essential elements were missing within the relationship.
While there is no guarantee that an annulment will be granted, petitioners can be assured that we will walk with them every step of the way, offering care and support, no matter the outcome. Our dedicated staff is committed to compassionately accompanying individuals, lifting them up in prayer, and helping them move forward in their relationship with Jesus, His Church, and the sacraments.
Focusing ahead with grace and faith, this process can open a path for healing and could allow for new beginnings within the Church. It is ultimately a journey of hope and reconciliation, honoring the dignity of each person involved.
The Office the Tribunal is a church court that examines petitions from parties looking to have their marriage declared null and void. The office ministers to divorced men and women, both Catholics and non-Catholics, who are looking to marry in the Church.
Very Rev. Brian Belongia | Judicial Vicar
Phone: 920-272-8172
Kerry Adam | Tribunal Coordinator
Phone: 920-272-8167
Fr. Scott Valentyn | Defender of the Bond
Phone: 920-272-8177
Lakeshore | Retrouvaille of Milwaukee/Green Bay
Phone: 920-288-2043
Email: 2043@retrouvaille.org
Saturday, July 12, 2025 / 9:00am-3:00pm
Diocese of Green Bay / Chancery
Training for parish leaders interested in bringing a divorce ministry into their parish. See attached flyer for additional information. Registration required. Contact marriageministries@gbdioc.org with any questions.
Saturday, October 25, 2025 / 9:00pm-6:30pm
St Thomas More Parish
1810B N McDonald St
Appleton WI 54911
Retreat open to all grieving parents who have lost a child of any age, by any cause, no matter how long ago. See attached flyer for additional information. Contact marriageministries@gbdioc.org with any questions.
