BRIDGEPORT—Dr. Jim Steffen, author of “The Secret of Growing True Love That Lasts” has been working closely with Dr. Patrick Donovan, director of The Leadership Institute on a new video series called “True Love That Lasts.”
“This movement is unique in so far as there is no diocese in the U.S. that has such an effort,” says Donovan, explaining that this is not just a premarital program but a program of continuing formation, to guide couples to enjoy all the benefits of married life especially growing the enjoyment and love of their spouse—even daily.
On June 25, 2020, The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization released a new Directory for Catechesis, providing guidelines for the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel through catechesis and evangelization. The timing of Steffen’s book and video series could not be better, Donovan added.
“In the new directory, Pope Francis challenges us to ‘make use of the valuable help of other couples with long-standing experience in marriage,’” Donovan says, quoting the New Directory. “The document goes so far as to challenge parishes and dioceses to lose the terminology, ‘marriage prep’ because it undermines the true meaning of marriage formation: an ongoing journey that takes a lifetime. What Jim and Carol have done is to take their own story and put it at the disposal of others. It will be a perfect tie-in to our renewed formation for the sacrament of marriage.”
The goal of the video series is to show people that the True Love That Lasts Movement is both research based and practical.
Steffen’s book and the accompanying video series focuses on how couples can grow true love that lasts by asking just a single question a day.
To support continuing formation, The Leadership Institute has complied resources for the following categories: newly married, happily married for some time, unhappily married and separated or divorced.
“Pope Francis is clear,” says Bishop Caggiano, “Marriage cannot be improvised. A good marriage takes commitment and hard work. By asking one question a day, husbands and wives work together to build a relationship that endures. I invite couples of all ages to take up Jim and Carol Steffen’s challenge of growing true love that lasts.”
The Institute, in partnership with Dr. Steffen, will be hosting a five-week webinar series beginning February 11. Participants can logon at either 2 pm or 7 pm and join others in learning more about the movement and discussing Steffen’s book. The cost for the webinar will cover the supplies couples will need in order to participate.
(To join the True Love That Lasts movement visit: www.formationreimagined.org/true-love-that-lasts-full. To sign up for the True Love That Lasts Webinar visit: https://truelovethatlasts.us/register.html)
