Question 1

What is the Family Life Office?

Accepted Answer

The Family Life Office is a branch of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The office provides Catholics with opportunities to enrich their faith as well as find support throughout the various stages and challenges of life. Though the Family Life Office is overseen by the Archdiocese, the office has a full time Director who coordinates with and is charged with instituting various ministries to help our Catholic brothers and sisters.

Although Family Life Office is a Catholic based non profit, we serve non Catholics as well through a variety of workshops, retreats and support groups. The Family Life Office’s goal is to help everyone know Christ and help carry the difficult crosses that many are burdened with, through compassion and love.

Question 2

What types of services does Family Life Office provide?

Accepted Answer

Family Life Office is responsible for providing assistance and help to families, singles, divorced, widowed and everyone in between. Many of us go through challenges in our own lives or within our families that require outside help from faith based individuals or leaders who are equipped to do so. The Family Life Office has seven ministries under its umbrella, offering workshops and sessions for a variety of needs.

Question 3

I want to have my civil marriage convalidated. What is the process in which to do that?

Accepted Answer

Congratulations! Convalidation is the process of having your civil marriage recognized and validated as a sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church. Please review the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's information regarding convalidation.

Question 4

I have gone through divorce and need to find a support group.

Accepted Answer

Divorce is a painful reality affecting more than 50% of the population, including many Catholics. If you are considering divorce, please check out the Retrouvaille program which has helped thousands of Catholics save their marriages. If you have gone through a divorce and are seeking help recovering from the loss, the Family Life Office is working to find facilitators to lead support groups. Please check back or contact Family Life at 505-831-8117.

Question 5

I am not Catholic. Do I need to be Catholic to sign up for retreats, workshops, or events?

Accepted Answer

Although Family Life Office is a Catholic non profit organization under the umbrella of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, most of what we offer is open to Catholics and non Catholics alike. However, for those events that incorporate the Sacraments such as receiving Holy Communion, Reconciliation, Matrimony, and facilitator training attendees must be Catholic unless discussed with a priest beforehand. For workshops that pertain to grief support, addiction recovery, natural family planning, marriage enrichment or family mentoring, these sessions are open to everyone who may benefit.

Question 6

I am interested in finding out more about Natural Family Planning.

Accepted Answer

Natural  Family Planning (NFP) is a method of postponing or helping to achieve  pregnancy, all of which are approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic  Bishops (USCCB) and Archdiocese of Santa Fe. NFP is based on the  observation of the naturally-occurring physical signs during the most  fertile days of a woman’s cycle. There are two specific, Church approved methods in which to conceive. For information about those methods or to find out about upcoming classes involving NFP, visit the Minstries>Parenting section of our website.

Question 7

What is required in order for me to get married?

Accepted Answer

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Marriage is a vocation and also a Sacrament, so it is reasonable that the Church would want to ensure that the engaged couple is fully prepared for the marriage, not just the wedding. There are two options in which to take the required marriage prep classes: Weekends for the Engaged and Pre-Cana (formerly Evenings for the Engaged). Please visit the Book Online page of our site, where you will find upcoming, required classes. Also visit the Ministries>Engaged page of our site for more information.

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