Catholic Singles Aim to Grow in Faith, Fall in Love

July 20, 2010 - PRLog -- The following is excerpted from an article by Meg McDonnell in the May-June 2010 issue of “Family Foundations,” the publication of the Couple to Couple League International (CCL).

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A record number of American Catholics are single — more than 22 million, according to a 2008 study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

It’s not surprising, then, that the subject of singles, dating, and vocation are cropping up more and more in books, magazines, and conversations among Catholic circles.

Advice varies, along with approaches to dating, but the goal is inevitably the same: helping singles embrace their call to love and serve God and others in the manner He desires for them.

For Erin McNamara, 21, a junior at the University of Lincoln-Nebraska and the daughter of Couple to Couple League (CCL) Teaching Couple Mark and Colleen McNamara, putting God’s will first in her dating life is a priority. “I always pray before I pursue a relationship with a guy,” she said, “Honestly, I prayerfully consider it before even going on a first date.”

Because to many Catholic singles like McNamara, their faith is their most important personal characteristic and, naturally, the first thing they want to share with a potential mate.

Common ground

That’s why thousands of Catholics are turning to online dating sites such as CatholicMatch.com, AveMariaSingles.com, Catholicsingles.com and others. A belief that the Catholic faith is important common ground makes meeting people online all the more attractive in a day and age when genuine faith is hard to come by at a random meeting in a noisy bar. These sites include forums on faith, society and even job seeking. They include pertinent articles on dating and faith. CatholicMatch.com even has a temperament test.

CCL has been a valuable resource for young Catholic singles, McNamara said. “Having attended CCL conventions since before I was born, it has been really great to have that network to talk about important issues in dating. The talks I have heard about dating and relationships at the convention have always been amazing and put me a step ahead of most of my peers.”

In addition, national programs like Theology on Tap and the National Singles Conference enables singles to meet like-minded Catholics in a relaxed setting that features insightful speakers.

While all those friendly introductions won’t translate into romance, developing a friendship with a potential mate is an invaluable foundation. It establishes common values and basic trust, which can pave the way to a healthy romantic bond.

Dating tends to be more serious in Catholic circles; the relationships are directed toward marriage. And though engagement might not come swiftly, “there’s a sense of obligation,” the duty to plan for the future, said George Souri, a 32-year-old high school teacher from Chicago.

From texting to dating

Texting and tweeting and other popular forms of rapid-fire communication have rewritten the rules of dating. They involve less risk, bringing about “less reward,” Souri said. It’s easy to text someone and not think much about the consequences or the feelings of rejection if she doesn’t respond. But some amount of risk is a good thing, Souri said.

“[Catholics] should put eggs in many baskets and consciously seek people out,” said Amy Bonaccorso, author of the forthcoming book, “How to Get to ‘I Do’: A Dating Guide for Catholic Women.”

“They should also focus on good character, traits like generosity and an ability to work through problems, rather than superficial checklists.”

A shared commitment to God’s will is a simple but vital foundation. When that’s in place, God can write a beautiful love story.

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Sign up for a membership at Couple to Couple League International at www.ccli.org, and receive “Family Foundations.”

Natural Family Planning Classes Taught

Classes in Natural Family Planning are taught in 17 locations in the Chicago metro area, including southeast Wisconsin and northeast Indiana. The next series of classes will begin Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 at 1:30 pm at Holy Trinity Church in Westmont, taught by Chris & Debbie Lillig. The method taught is the Sympto-Thermal Method, and is also taught via CylePRO software.

To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to CCL International at http://www.ccli.org, (800) 745-8252. Chicago area NFP information is at http://www.naturalfamilyplanningchicago.com.

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The Couple to Couple League (CCL) is an international, Catholic, non-profit organization dedicated to teaching Natural Family Planning (NFP) to married and engaged couples. This news article is sponsored by the Chicago chapter of CCL International.