MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE IS COMMISSIONED TO DEVISE EFFECTIVE STATEGIES TO TEACH THE MEANING OF COVENANT MARRIAGE, PREPARE COUPLES FOR MATRIMONY, AND SUPPORT FAMILIES ESPECIALLY THOSE IN DISTRESS.

In his Apostolic Letter, The Joy of Love, Pope Francis wrote at length concerning the fruit of the two Synods on Family Life which drew worldwide attention during and after their sessions in 2014 and 2015. In it, he calls for greater efforts to be made by local churches (dioceses) and parishes in preparing young people to enter and remain in covenant marriages, providing strong support for couples and families; and to accompany those who have experienced failure in marriage to remain close to Christ and the Church. To that end this commission is tasked:

1. To work closely with staff to review, revise, and enhance the procedures by which we prepare couples for covenant/sacramental marriages. This will entail helping couples to shift their focus from wedding prep to sacramental prep.
2. To initiate couple and family support groups, providing them with the means (study programs, etc) to take greater advantage of the sacramental grace they received on their wedding day.
3. To consider the special needs of those whose marriages have suffered failure so they will know that they are NOT excommunicated but rather welcome to live as closely as possible to the Catholic Way of Life.