This annual conference is a collaboration between the St. John Paul II Foundation and the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. It provides an opportunity for couples to engage in discussions, listen to presentations relevant to married life, and encounter the Lord in the sacraments together.

Presentations were delivered by John Paul II Foundation speakers Renzo and Monica Ortega, as well as Deacon Scott and Mary Beth Moore of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin. The theme and topics focused on Family: A School of Virtue one of the many themes of St. John Paul II in Familiaris Consorto.

Speakers emphasized the importance of marriage as a witness to the love of God, and Bishop Gregory Parkes echoed this in his homily during the Mass.

“The Sacrament of Marriage stands in the heart of Christian life as both a sign and a source of hope for the world,” said Bishop Parkes. “In a time when many people question whether lifelong love is possible, the vocation of husband and wife becomes a powerful witness that love can endure, love can be faithful, and love can reflect the very life of God.”

In addition to the engaging presentations, the conference gave participants the opportunity to speak with other couples who had been married for various lengths of time. These conversations fostered community and offered the chance to pass on wisdom from those who had been married for many years.

Bishop Parkes reflected on the reality of the Sacrament of Matrimony and the sign it offers to the world.

“It is a covenant—a sacred bond in which God Himself is present,” he said. “When two baptized Christian’s exchange vows, their love becomes a sacrament: an outward sign that reveals the grace of God at work within them. Marriage is a sign of hope. In a culture often marked by loneliness, instability, and broken relationships, a faithful marriage quietly proclaims that love is stronger than fear.”

Bishop Parkes also emphasized that Marriage is an inward reception of the Lord and that the grace of Marriage spills over into the generations to come.

“Marriage is not only a sign—it is also a source of grace,” he said. “The sacrament gives spouses the strength they need to live their vocation. Marriage also becomes a source of hope for the next generation. Within the family—the “domestic church,” as the Church often calls it—children first encounter love, faith, and trust. When they see their parents pray together, support one another, and remain faithful through the years, they learn something essential about God. They discover that love is reliable. They discover that commitment is possible. They discover that God’s love is not distant but lived out in the ordinary moments of daily life.”

He also shared that this outward sign gives witness to the community, welcoming others and extending the love of Christ. This witness strengthens not only the married couple but the Church and society around them as well. One insight shared reminded each couple that the union of entering into Marriage goes beyond themselves and their immediate community and truly creates a reflection and foretaste of union with Christ.

“Ultimately, every Christian marriage points beyond itself,” added Bishop Parkes as he concluded his homily. “It reminds us of the final union for which all humanity is created—the eternal communion with God. Each faithful marriage becomes a small reflection of the heavenly wedding feast, where God’s love will be fully revealed.”

To view photos from the event, click on the arrows below.

For more information about the Together in Holiness Formation Series, click here.

For more information about the Office of Marriage and Family Life, click here.