marriage Archives

Singing the Dodger Blues

There might not be any crying in baseball, at least according to Hollywood script writers, but fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers have recently shed tears of a different type.

Frank and Jamie McCourt met as freshmen at Georgetown University. Upon graduation they were married and embarked on an exciting life together, raising four sons and managing several successful business ventures. A life-long Red Sox fan, Frank attempted to purchase the famed Boston club, but he was outbid.

Topics: Current Events Tags: husband, marriage, wife June 27, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Practice Makes You Dirty

My friend and colleague, Gary Schneeberger, is Focus’ vice president of communications. His office is right down the hall from mine and includes, among other things, a 7-foot-tall statue of Superman (that’s a story for another time). But among the many things on his desk is this little glass vase holding a pair of golf balls.

Now, I’ve been in many offices that contain golf balls from courses all over the world – from the famed St.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage June 22, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Family By The Numbers

Do you like statistics? A recent issue of Parade magazine featured dozens of facts and figures, from the best sports city (Chicago) to the skinniest state (Colorado). Also included were some numbers and trends related to marriage and family.

I thought I’d share some of them with you here and invite your comment:

Marriage Figures

54.1 percent of adults reported being married in 2010
2.1 million marriages took place in 2009.
17% of people who married in the past three years met online.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, marriage May 10, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Bishop’s Sermon

The Bishop of London’s Sermon at the Royal Wedding

Westminster Abbey

29th April 2011

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

So said St Catherine of Siena whose festival day it is today. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves.

Many are full of fear for the future of the prospects of our world but the message of the celebrations in this country and far beyond its shores is the right one – this is a joyful day!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, marriage April 29, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Royal Wedding

Come April 29th, the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton will be televised by every major network and cable news channel. It will be viewed all over the world. Over one million people are expected to travel to London, if only to catch a glimpse and play their part.

Why? What is it about the royal wedding that pulls so many people in?

To some degree, it is, of course, the substance of the classic fairy tale: beauty, romance, nobility and prestige, not to mention the hope and expectation of a happy marriage and life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, news April 29, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Royal Wedding: Why So Much Interest?

NOTE: The following was originally published on April 14, 2011.

Why? What is it about the royal wedding that pulls so many people in?

To some degree, it is, of course, the substance of the classic fairy tale: beauty, romance, nobility and prestige, not to mention the hope and expectation of a happy marriage and life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage April 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does Facebook Cause Divorce?

Do you use Facebook?

There’s a new survey out this week suggesting that the popular social networking site is a major factor in 1 out of 5 U.S. divorces.

Are you surprised?

Before going any further, let’s be clear:

Facebook doesn’t cause divorce – people do.

But …

Over the years, the evolution of technology has always facilitated marital infidelity, at least for those so inclined. When the telephone was first invented, people were suddenly able to talk instantly with another person in a different locale.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, marriage, technology March 10, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Ideal Age to Marry

I first met Jean Stephens in the summer of 1985 at a wedding in California. People often say that weddings are great places to meet people (for good reason!), but at the time I wasn’t interested in finding a girlfriend. It would be nine months before our first date, but we were married in August of 1986.

I was 25 years old.

According to the social science research, is that a good age to marry? It was for me – but how about the population at-large?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, marriage March 1, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

President Obama’s Refusal to Defend Marriage

The Obama Administration’s decision to no longer defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act, while not completely shocking, is still startling and significant on numerous levels.

Setting aside the president’s personal opposition to DOMA and the history of his contradictory positions on marriage over the years, yesterday’s announcement ostensibly reduces the legal interpretation and enforcement of the United States Constitution to but two people:

President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder.

In essence, the president and his AG have unilaterally determined that DOMA is unconstitutional.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, marriage, policy February 24, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Love and Loss

Whether young or old, yesterday was a happy day for those in love. On one end of the spectrum you have Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher of North Carolina. They’ve been married 86 years! What’s their advice for a strong and happy marriage?

“Respect, support and communicate with each other. Be faithful, honest and true. Love each other with ALL of your heart.”

That sounds right to me.

Then there is Stephanie Hull and US Air Force Captain John Wu from Louisville, Kentucky.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage, relationships February 15, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura