by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Years ago, Deacon Tony Zimmerman and his wife Barbara used to go to a pizza restaurant close to their home. It had a sign on the wall that read: “Marriage is a three-ring circus — engagement ring, wedding ring and suffering.”
Yes . . . very amusing.
Actually, marriage isn’t like that at all if it’s done right, said Deacon Zimmerman, lead consultant of the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life.
That’s why the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, in conjunction with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is observing National Marriage Week from Feb. 7-14, and World Marriage Day on Feb. 13.
The archdiocesan office of marriage and family life will host a World Marriage Day Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, followed by a reception, at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 13 at the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park. No registration is required and all are welcome to attend.
For those adventurous couples who want an in-person experience, there will be the “Evermore in Love” marriage immersion retreat, which will be held Feb. 5-6 at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee. The cost is $50 per couple with a promo code. For information and to register, send an email to: Charlene.Mies@shoj.org. Non-parishioners are welcome to attend.
The theme of the week and the day is: “Called to the Joy of Love.”
“We invite families and couples to come [to the Mass] and focus on the joy and fulfillment that is to be found in marriage,” said Deacon Zimmerman. “During the reception, couples will have a chance to meet other couples who also love marriage.”
Even in the best of times, not everyone in the archdiocese can go to the archdiocesan marriage Mass, so materials on how to celebrate marriage have been sent to parishes, said Deacon Zimmerman.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is offering several online resources — live-streamed events, podcasts and more — at this website: foryourmarriage.org.
