Cana Family Institute

The Cana Experience is specifically designed for parents of young children, to help them live their vocation to marriage and parenthood in all its fullness.  The three groups below are available to St. Michael parishioners beginning in the fall. Registration instructions are at the bottom of the page.

Contact: The Cana Team (Katie Danielson, Ali Barbln, Mandi Pederson), [email protected]
 

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The Temperament God Gave You (for Mothers of Young Children)

Do you sometimes think that your husband’s and children’s behavior make no sense? You’re not alone! When you join our Temperament God Gave You group, you will be able to resolve problems more easily with your family and friends and you will have peace as you love each other better. Sessions are twice a month from late January through early May. For mothers of young children (birth to grade 5).

Created to Believe (a Multi-Year Program for Mothers and Wives)

Grow in your awareness of being a daughter of God, while discovering principles and practical tools to guide you in your parenting decisions. Make and keep purposeful resolutions to grow closer to God, your husband, and your children while meeting with other moms who want the same things as you: to raise great kids and have a strong and fulfilling marriage. Sessions are twice a month from September through May. 
 

• Created to Believe: Called to Motherhood (Year 1): Discover the depth of who you are as a woman and a mother and how your femininity is a gift to your family and the world. Grow in your relationship with Mary, your Blessed Mother, and receive her guidance as you mother your own children. Based on Redemptoris Mater (Mother of the Redeemer) and Mulieris Dignitatem (The Dignity and Vocation of Women), both by Saint John Paul II.
• Created to Love: Called to Marriage (Year 2): Discover the depth and gift of marriage, experience an enriched appreciation for your husband and learn to draw on the grace you received in the sacrament of marriage. Learn how your marriage is a gift for you and your spouse, and also for your children and for the world. Create a safe loving environment in your home that models for your children the gift that marriage is. Based on the Familiaris Consortio (On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World) by Saint John Paul II.
• Created to Know: Called to Prayer (Year 3): Develop a consistent prayer life with the help of the other moms in your group. Go deeper in your relationship with God as you participate in prayer experiences on your own and with your group. Learn how to encourage each child’s relationship with God at their development level and use practical tips in your home to create an atmosphere of peace, honesty, and virtue. Based on Part Four: Christian Prayer of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
• Created to Lead: Called to Act (Year 4): Learn more about the important role of the family in evangelizing and become even more convinced that your family is called to make a difference in your parish, workplace, community and beyond. Participate in spiritual and ministry activities to further strengthen you and your family’s confidence in the contribution you are called to make. Based on Christifideles Laici (The Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People) by Saint John Paul II.

Sessions include a reflection on a Gospel passage and church teachings, followed by a conversation on 2-3 principles that are directly relevant to marriage, parenting, and family life, and conclude with a resolution to implement. The four years are consecutive as each builds on the previous one; however, attendees only commit to one year at a time.
 

Reigning in Life (a Multi-Year Program for Husbands and Fathers)

Gain confidence in your ability to build a strong foundation for you family and your marriage by meeting with real men to talk about real topics that affect your everyday decisions.  Make and keep purposeful resolutions to grow closer to God, your wife, and your children. Sessions are twice a month from September through May. 
 

• Reigning in Life: Becoming Provider (Year 1): Discover the true nature and meaning of work. See how our work aids us in becoming better men, husbands and fathers. Live God’s vision for our work to build up ourselves, our families, and the world. Based on Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) by St. John Paul II.
• Reigning in Life: Becoming Protector (Year 2): Live more deeply your vocation as a husband and father. Appreciate the grace received in intimacy with your wife. Set and achieve goals that win success for your family. Based on Casti Cannubii (On Christian Marriage) by Pope Pius XI and Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life) by Pope Paul VI.
• Reigning in Life: Becoming Leader (Year 3): Discuss the elements of an unchanging truth that we can count on to guide our decisions at work, socially and at home. Discover the freedom from confusion and complexities that often paralyze good men from choosing what is best. Gain greater confidence in guiding our children in making sound decisions. Based on Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason) and Veritatis Splendor (Splendor of Truth), both by St. John Paul II.
• Reigning in Life: Becoming Visionary (Year 4): Commit to your family’s baptismal call to serve. Live a more unified marriage of mutual service. Gain the peace of knowing your family has all it needs to thrive in our complicated world. Based on Christifideles Laici (The Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People) by St. John Paul II.

Sessions include a reflection on a Gospel passage and church teachings, followed by a conversation on 2-3 principles that are directly relevant to marriage, parenting, and family life, and conclude with a resolution to implement. The four years are consecutive as each builds on the previous one; however, attendees only commit to one year at a time.
 

To Register for a Group:

• Visit the Join a Group webpage on the Cana Family Institute website.
• Select "Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis" from the dropdown menu, under Minnesota.
• Scroll down to St. Michael Catholic Church - St. Michael, MN, then click to button for the group you wish to join.
• Follow the onscreen instructions to register and pay.