Our Office of Marriage and Family Life can help your parish host a Married Couples Dinner. These simple events provide couples with time to sit down together to appreciate and strengthen their relationship in a way that makes them closer to Jesus too. Unfortunately, couples have far too few opportunities to do this. These events also strengthen the couples' appreciation for and relationship with their parish when they see how commited their Pastor and pastoral staff are to supporting them in their vocation to marriage.

The event usually involves the following:

• A Vigil Mass celebration that highlights how our faith strenghens marriage. Contact our Office if you would ike us to help arrange for a Deacon to serve at the Mass and offfer a homily related to marriage. 
• Childcare offered by the parish following the vigil Mass. 
• A dinner provided by the parish (usually couples pay purchase tickets to defray the costs of the event)
• A brief formational talk or facilitated discussion for the couples to help foster productive conversation between them

In 2019, two parishes, St. John Vianney, Kirkland and St. John Vianney, Vashon Ilsand  conducted the event. St. Mary of the Valley, Monroe will conduct one in February 2020.

Planning ahead: The key to a successful event is planning ahead.  

• Acquire supplies for the dinner. In addition to arranging for people to prepare and serve the food, it is a good idea to acquire 2 person bistro tables. Using these small tables that are just for 2 really helps ensure that the couples will focus on talking with each other rather than participaing in a less rewarding group conversation. If you don't have tables like this on hand at your parish, contact a local party rental company or inquire with a caterer.
• Promoting the event is very important in getting the attendance you want. Our Office can provide you materials and resources to help make this happen. 
• Arrange for servers and greeters.
• Recognize the event at the vigil Mass: A homily that connects to what is happening with the couples' dinner can inspire and remind other couples about the parish's commitment to help support the vocation of marriage.
• Providing child care really helps make it easy for parents to attend. They will be truly grateful.
• Open with prayer. If your pastor is available to kick off the evening, the couples will truly appreciate his presence.
• Remind the couples to focus on time with one another. It's tempting for them to travel over to the tables to socialize with other couples, but encourage them dedictate the time with their spouse. There will opportunities later to socialize.

Living I Do Every Day Conversation cards: Click this link to get printable cards that couples can use to facilitate their conversation with one another during this event.