Catholic Life Ministries Northwest

Programs: Publications a primary way that catholic life ministries nw shares educational and inspirational ideas with our sponsors and supporters is through the weekly essay. The weekly essay, written by robert or lori fontana or a guest author, appears online each week. Topics include catholic christian perspectives, issues, and teachings. Once a month, these weekly essays are collected and published in print form in a newsletter called the troubadour, which is mailed to sponsors who prefer paper copies or do not have internet access. Recent topics for the weekly essay have included lent=coffee without flavored creamer, becoming a new creation in spite of myself, if your can't be mother theresa, be paula, fall is coming. . . Why not make a retreat? And tis the season to indulge fa la la la la. Combined circulation ~300.

marriage institute another priority commitment for catholic life ministries nw is advocating for and actively supporting strong marriages. Our organization has developed and implemented a marriage preparation class for engaged couples (seven 2-hour workshops). For several couples, this same marriage prep program was offered to individual couples. The marriage prep program focuses on strengthening communication and problem-solving skills, helping participants to deal with important and difficult issues while at the same time preserving the relationship. It also delves into the meaning and richness of a sacramental marriage within a faith community. Clm has also created and implemented marriage enrichment workshops and marriage advocacy events such as date nights, the marriage jackpot and communication coaching for couples. Total: 424 attendees

outreach catholic life ministries nw prepares families, youth, and adults to fully engage in their christian faith within the circumstances and relationships of their daily lives. This past year we accomplished this via weekend / evening educational and training events. We offered two day-long retreats, with the themes of "blessed are the merciful" and "missonaries of love and mercy". Clm sponsors an annual family service camp gathering both adults and children to serve in the community, volunteering with community agencies to do yard work, cleaning, painting and home repair for the elderly and disabled. Fun and prayer are also components of the service weekend (40 participants). In december, clm holds its annual days of visiting and caroling at a large senior retirement home/skilled nursing facility, fostering connections between young and old (165 participants). Total: 2,023 attendees

counseling - the mission and purpose of catholic life ministries nw includes helping people succeed in their primary relationships; with spouse/partner, child(ren), extended family and close friends, the people with whom we experience our greatest joys and deepest sorrows. When there is conflict in these relationships, the persons involved may be too close to the problem to solve it without help. In marriage and family therapy, clients can be helped to 1) stop the negative interaction, 2) listen to one another for understanding, 3) build more effective communication skills, 4) restore love and friendship and 5) build a new way of being together as a couple, family or friends. Though not all relationships can or should be preserved, our organization believes that most relationships, with hard work and guidance, can and should succeed. Even in relationships that have experienced great trauma there can be healing, and they can be restored to peaceful, life-giving relationships. This restoration of primary relationships is positive for couples, families and the larger community. Total: 796 client hours