Couples’ advice: Communicate, be patient and pray together

Compiled by Natalie Hoefer

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Elizabeth and Paul Malone, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Indianapolis

Elizabeth: “It’s about commitment. It’s about will and work.”

Paul: “When you make the commitment to love, honor and cherish for the rest of your life, you should really take that to heart. It’s not just words, you have to believe it.”

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Carol and Maurice Lathrop, Christ the King Parish, Indianapolis

Maurice: “Communication, all the way down the line. That, and loving each other.”

Carol: “You have to talk things through.”

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Kathy and Dane Lantz, Holy Spirit Parish, Indianapolis

Dane: Have a good group of friends “as support … and a good sounding board. … Saying, ‘Yes, dear.’ ”

Kathy: “Patience and tolerance.”

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Ginny and Dan O’Brien, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Indianapolis

Ginny: “Have a whole lot of patience and stick-to-it-iveness. … I think it just makes a big difference to have [faith] in common.”

Dan: “We have continued practicing our faith, and it has kept us together. It sets us up to make common goals made on our faith. … Bite your tongue, don’t be sharp.”

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Janice and Michael Cise, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Indianapolis

Janice: “Absolutely have trust in your partner. Always be willing to forgive—and beyond forgiveness is being willing to let go.”

Michael: “Perseverance and patience and love.”

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Eduardo Parada, Holy Spirit Parish, Indianapolis: “You have to be patient. You have to be respectful, and you have to be determined you’re never going to give up.”

His wife, Lois, agreed.

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John and Mary Paddenburg, All Saints Parish, Dearborn County

Mary: “You need to pray, and you need to pray together. And the more times you can get to Mass together, and the more times you can get to Mass during the week, the better. ... And if you have a lot of troubles dumped on you, the best thing is to get a baby sitter for the kids and, even singly, spend time with the Blessed Sacrament to rejuvenate yourself.”

John: “Look for things that men do together. A lot of men have trouble praying, but if you have a lot of men who struggle together, it’s usually easier.” †

 

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