The Office for Family Life fosters a family perspective in Church and society that promotes ministry to, with, by, and for families in all stages. The Office supports marriage formation and pastoral care to advance the missionary discipleship of the Domestic Church in the Diocese of Orange.
Inviting married couples!
We have great opportunities for marriage enrichment coming up
This fall, strengthen your spousal relationship and deepen intimacy through one of our upcoming marriage building programs:
- CoupleTalk communication skills virtual series, Sundays Oct. 12 to Nov. 16
- WorldWide Marriage Encounter weekend Nov. 8-9 in Santa Ana
- St. Angela Merici Marriage Enrichment Nov. 14-16 in Brea
Registration is now open for our Life-Giving Wounds West Coast Support Group
Adult children of divorce, separation, or family brokenness are invited to join this monthly connect. Along with peers, we’ll journey together towards healing in a faith-infused environment focused on healing from family wounds.
Thursdays, Oct. 23 to Nov. 20, 2025
7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom
Registration is $25
Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life
We are thrilled to be approved for a grant from the Catholic Marriage Initiatives Fund in support of our implementation of key aspects of the USCCB pastoral framework on marriage and family ministry Called to the Joy of Love.
The projects proposed in our grant application primarily focus on strengthening marriage formation in our Diocese with particular attention to the guidelines delineated in Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life in 2022.
Parishes interested in partnering with us to implement the catechumenate model of marriage preparation should complete and submit our online inquiry form.
Hope and Healing After Abortion
The Church understands and cares
Hope and Healing After Abortion is a sensitive, private, confidential experience of accompaniment. Our volunteers aim to provide a caring, compassionate, and non-judgmental presence for anyone who is suffering from the affects of abortion and who is seeking reconciliation with God and their faith community.
We annually host one-day retreats for women impacted by abortion:
- English retreat on April 18, 2026 in Sierra Madre, CA: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/bPE8KUqE0M
- Retiro en español 22 de agosto, 2026 en Sierra Madre, CA: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/uZss7y5f6d
Catholic Marriage is unique among other marital relationships because it is a sacrament that makes Christ present in our world. The relationship between husband and wife mirrors the relationship of Jesus Christ for his people. In the Catholic tradition, the husband and wife accept a role in God’s plan for humanity. They are ambassadors of God’s love, and they collaborate with God to keep humanity alive.
The vows exchanged by the couple are a sacred pact through which the spouses embrace each other, and, together, embrace Jesus as their partner. Through their union with Christ, they participate in the unbreakable pact between God and humanity: the covenant that was sealed in the death and resurrection of Christ.
Support Changes Everything
Pregnant? Need Help?
Local help is available: pregnancy clinics and centers, shelters and food distribution, mental health support, and resources for maternal and perinatal health.
Marriage
& Family
Formation
Pastoral
Care
