Missionaries to the Family Class of 2025 Kickoff Retreat

Welcome to Our 2025 Missionaries to the Family Class

We are thrilled to introduce our 2025 Missionaries to the Family class, featuring 25 dedicated couples from across the continent. These couples recently gathered for our formation kickoff retreat held at the University of Notre Dame, where they embarked on a transformative journey with the theme “The Spirit of Nazareth.”

Over the next year, these couples will take part in a comprehensive formation process, culminating in their commissioning as missionaries. By this time next year, they will be equipped to live out and share the spirit of Nazareth within their local communities through spiritual friendships and inviting others to go deeper in their faith.

Our retreat weekend was rich with prayer, learning, and sharing. We were honored to welcome Steve Bollman, who made his first return to our missionaries’ retreats, adding a special touch to the weekend.

Stay tuned as we will highlight our commissioned Class of 2024 in next month’s newsletter! More details about the initiative can be found at https://archivesite.paradisusdei.org/missionaries-to-the-family/.

August is Make-A-Will Month

Your legacy of faith builds with each passing day, and we want to help you secure it effortlessly!

August is Make-A-Will Month, a perfect time to take action and secure your legacy. Paradisus Dei has partnered with My Catholic Will – the only online Catholic will-writing tool available. This partnership allows you to secure your legacy of faith free of charge and give hope to future generations of Catholics in the most meaningful way.

Writing your will on My Catholic Will is simple and stress-free. In as little as 30 minutes, and without any complicated documentation, you can write your will and consider a legacy gift to Paradisus Dei. The best part is that it is completely FREE to use. NOTE: You are not required to include a gift to Paradisus Dei in order to use this service.

 

To write your will FREE of charge, please visit mycatholicwill.com/paradisus and use referral code PARADISUS20 when prompted.

Over 150 New Paradisus Dei Classes Launching This Fall!

Join the Excitement!

This fall, Paradisus Dei is thrilled to announce the launch of over 150 new classes, with numbers continuing to rise each week.   Currently, there are more than 90 That Man is You! classes and over 60 She Shall Be Called Woman classes registered, and there’s still time for you to join in – but the window is closing soon.

If your parish does not yet offer these programs, consider starting one or sharing this information with someone who can. Reach out to Paradisus Dei to find out how you can bring these life-changing programs to your parish community this fall before registration closes.

Contact us at: [email protected]

SHE Pre-screening in Houston, TX

Paradisus Dei welcomed 50 women into the office last week for a pre-screening of She Shall Be Called Woman.  These women were the first EVER to experience SHE and we could not be more excited for parish groups to launch so soon!  Women attended from all across the Galveston-Houston Diocese.  We even had women from Florida, Ohio, and Spain who happened to be in the area and jumped on the unique opportunity to join us.

The evening began with opening remarks from Mark and Katie Hartfiel. Katie is the Content Coordinator of She Shall Be Called Woman and she shared the inspiration and purpose behind our new women’s program.  The women were able to view the first session, followed by a Q&A about the program and how to bring it to their parishes.

The event was a great success and we enjoyed chatting with women about the session afterward with wine and charcuterie. When participants were asked about their thoughts, they shared their excitement:

“I think that especially as a young adult woman who is single, it is so important to learn more about what it means to be a woman.  What it means to be a mother, a sister and a daughter, which is so much more than society has shown us.  I think it is so great to have a program like this which gives women a tangible way to strengthen our faith together and discover the true gift it is to be a woman.  This is needed for women of all ages!”  – Caroline Burciaga, Houston, TX

“I’m really excited about the diversity of the program and that it appeals to women in any stage of life.  They can all participate and really grow in their spiritual lives together.  All of the material that Paradisus Dei has provided us so far has been a great help and has made us confident that we can pull this together and run a successful group!” – Donna Rodriguez, Victoria, TX

 

VIRTUAL EVENT COMING SOON! 

Meet the Speakers & Session Sneak Peek! | August 12 @ 7:00 pm CT

Join Content Coordinator, Katie Harfiel and session speaker Mari Pablo for a sample of what She Shall Be Called Woman has to offer.

Whether you are already registered and getting excited or simply want to learn more, we encourage you to attend!

Register HERE!

If you would like to talk to someone about bringing SHE to your parish please contact us: [email protected]

She Shall Be Called Woman Registration Opens this Month!

In a couple of weeks, the Program Coordination team will contact the individuals on our list to provide the details you need to present the program to your parish.  Click here to join the list!

 

Program Overview:She Shall Be Called Woman is a transformative journey designed to meet the deepest longings of the feminine heart. Our program is a sanctuary for women seeking to be truly seen, known, and loved as they grow in their relationships with the Lord. Through vibrant conversations, authentic speakers, and enriching prayer experiences, we equip you with the tools to embark on a profound spiritual journey.

Each season features speakers from diverse stages of life. These inspiring women offer participants deeper insight into scriptural teachings, theological truths, and practical wisdom.

 

Program Structure:

She Shall Be Called Woman is a parish-based women’s program. The gatherings blend insightful video presentations with intimate small-group discussions, fostering a supportive environment for growth.

The program begins in September and consists of 18 weeks – 9 weeks in the fall and 9 weeks in the spring. Each meeting consists of 3 essential elements: fellowship with refreshments, video presentation, and discussion within small groups.

 

Program Content:

Masterpiece of Creation (Fall Season)

Timeline: September – November

Goal: To truly understand the way the Lord views femininity is to live as one who is fully alive. In a world that often speaks in cliches and labels, God desires to reveal who He is through a greater understanding of who we are. This season will not only unpack the wealth of celebration of what Saint John Paul II called “The Feminine Genius” but will also give real advice on how to combat the mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges we, as women, face every day.

The Ten Virtues of Mary (Spring Season)

Timeline: January – April

Goal: The Blessed Mother is our perfect example of what it is to be a woman in love with the Lord. Saint Louis De Montfort defined ten virtues that Mary exhibited that defined her life. These virtues are challenging, but they aren’t impossible. This season will shed a deep light on each of these virtues while offering approachable tips on how these virtues can better your life, your friendship, and your family.

Make a Permanent Impression That Will Last Forever!

As part of Paradisus Dei’s Lift the Spire! campaign, we have developed naming opportunities within our Houston office center that provide an opportunity for a donor to make a permanent impression that will last forever. Honor your family’s name, a special family member or loved one, or pay tribute to someone who helped you by demonstrating your everlasting support for the beauty and dignity of Catholic family and marriage life which is the core of our mission at Paradisus Dei.

Your naming opportunity will be permanent and will be prominently displayed with a beautiful plaque pertinent to the naming opportunity you choose. Should Paradisus Dei move to a new facility in the future, your naming opportunity will be transferrable to a comparable space, to be agreed upon by the donor and Paradisus Dei.

Please contact our Vice President of Development, Len Bertolini, at
[email protected] or 630.242.0611 if you have questions or would like to discuss one of the naming opportunities.

Share the Joy and Become a Missionary to the Family

“Missionaries to the Family is the heart of Paradisus Dei.”
– Steve Bollman
The next class of Missionaries to the Family begins this July!  If you are passionate about sharing the joy of your married life with others, deepening your understanding of your faith as a couple, and serving your community, then Missionaries to the Family is an opportunity you do not want to miss.

Our missionaries focus on direct, personal accompaniment of other couples and small groups within the home. By inviting others into their homes and lives through spiritual friendship, missionaries can share the joy they have found in discovering Christ hidden in their home.

Email us at [email protected] with any questions.

April Mission Night – “The Best One Yet!”

Men and women from across the country and abroad joined the Program Coordination team and Michael Gormley to learn more about bringing TMIY to their parish.  Michael’s message about WHY bringing TMIY to one’s parish is needed and worth the effort resonated with the audience.

Check out Gomer’s video HERE!

These meetings are having an impact.  If you know anyone interested in starting a TMIY in English or Spanish (EHET).  Please share the dates and registration link from our Mission Control Page. Registration for Fall of 2024 open!

Visit our Mission Control page for updates and resources for spreading the word about TMIY!

Mission Night June 12 | Join Us or Share this Link:  qrco.de/MissionII2024

EHET Mission Night July 11 | Join Us or Share this Link:  qrco.de/EHET2024Mission

TMIY Fall Registration is OPEN!

Registration is Now Open for New & Returning TMIY Classes for Fall of 2024 

 

New Parishes:

To start TMIY, a parish needs their pastor’s approval and a core team of men.  The program content is FREE and we will journey with you every step of the way. Reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in starting TMIY at your parish or if you would like to introduce us to someone who does. Be sure to sign up for our first Mission Night!

 

Join Us On Mission:

If only 1% of TMIY Men helped to start one new Parish, we would be at 1000 parishes this fall.

In TMIY’s 20 years, we have reached over 150,000 men.  However, there are more men who have not experienced the formation and brotherhood of TMIY than those who have.  If you or someone you know needs something like That Man is You! join us on Mission to grow TMIY.  Visit our Mission Control page to find strategies and see our progress in growing TMIY and changing lives. TMIY Mission Control is your one stop online resource to assist you with inviting new parishes to join TMIY.

Visit Our Mission Control Page

 

TMIY Mission Night is scheduled for April 24th at 7:00 pm CT. 

Please help us fill the room as we share about what TMIY is, it’s impact and how a new parish can get started.

Mission Nights are online meetings for pastors, parish staff, and men who do not currently have TMIY at their parish.  Please help us get the word out. Whether it’s a phone call, text, DM, or email – you never know the impact you might have through the simple act of invitation.

Share This Registration Link With a Friend!

Missionaries to the Family – Now Accepting Applications!

The next class of Missionaries to the Family begins this July!  If you are passionate about sharing the joy of your married life with others, deepening your understanding of your faith as a couple, and serving your community, then Missionaries to the Family is an endeavor you don’t want to miss.

Our missionaries focus on direct, personal accompaniment of other couples and small groups within the home. By inviting others into their homes and lives through spiritual friendship, missionaries can share the joy they have found in discovering Christ hidden in their home.

Applications are due by May 15th. Complete the Application HERE
Email us at [email protected] with any questions.
1 2 3 6