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.
EnCourage and Courage
A Roman Catholic apostolate for men and women who experience same-sex attractions and those who love them.
Standing fully by the teaching of the Church, EnCourage is a group of faithful Catholic parents/relatives/friends who support one another and our loved ones with Same Sex Attraction (SSA), through discussion, prayer, fellowship and sacrifice. Meetings are monthly in the Diocese of Orange with our chaplain in a safe, confidential setting. For more info, contact your local chapter at: Encourage.OrangeCounty@gmail.com
The Diocese of Orange also has a chapter of Courage for those struggling with SSA: CourageCA.OC@gmail.com
For more information about Courage: couragerc.org
Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents One-Day Retreat
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at St. Irenaeus
St. Irenaeus is hosting a one-day retreat for parents who have experienced the death of a child of any age by any cause, no matter how long ago. Losing a child under any circumstances is horrendous. Focusing on the spirituality of the grieving process can help tremendously.
Join other Emmaus Parent Companions and our Diocese of Orange Retreat Team in a warm and loving place—to think, to talk, to feel, and to pray. Find compassion, rest, and peace … at least for a time. All grieving parents are welcome.
Spots are limited; register early! $35 for individuals or $60 for spouses (includes lunch & dinner). Kindly register online by June 7.
Save the Date: Sept. 16, 2023
Suicide Remembrance Mass
St. John Neumann’s Mental Health Ministry is hosting its 2nd annual suicide loss remembrance Mass on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10:00 am. Auxiliary Bishop of Orange, Most Rev. Timothy Freyer will be presiding. More details will follow.
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.
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.
Getting married?
Marriage formation for engaged couples
The sacrament of marriage is not a social convention, an empty ritual or merely the outward sign of a commitment. The sacrament is a gift given for the sanctification and salvation of the spouses, since “their mutual belonging is a real representation, through the sacramental sign, of the same relationship between Christ and the Church. The married couple are therefore a permanent reminder for the Church of what took place on the cross; they are for one another and for their children witnesses of the salvation in which they share through the sacrament.”
Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia n. 72
Marriage
& Family
Formation
Pastoral
Care
