Building up marriages in the church in a time of great crisis

Julie and Greg Alexander are founders of the Alexander House ministry. Photo provided

SAN ANTONIO • An inaugural benefit dinner to support the mission of the Alexander House, whose main focus is to lower the divorce rate by evangelizing the truths of God’s plan for marriage, was held at the St. George Maronite Church banquet hall Nov. 19.

Greg and Julie Alexander, founders of the Alexander House, told 500 attendees that their ministry has experienced tremendous growth since relocating its headquarters to the Alamo city from Austin in January.

The Alexanders have been married for 22 years and have six children, ranging in age from 21 years to 15 months.

Keynote speaker for the event was Father Bill Casey, CPM, superior general of the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy. He is a nationally renowned speaker and a frequent guest on EWTN. A native of Pennsylvania and graduate of Temple University, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army following college. Father Casey was ordained to the priesthood in 1991.

Father Casey, who speaks at numerous marriage and family life retreats across the country, said people frequently ask him what a celibate male would know about marriage. He humorously replied that, given the state of marriage today, he ought to be asking his questioners, “What do you know about marriage?”

“After the church, marriage is the most denigrated institution on earth,” said Father Casey. “Every single day, the understanding of marriage for the purpose of mutual love and support is under attack.”

The grace of the sacrament of matrimony helps couples to see that no matter how big the problems are, God is the answer, said Father Casey, who is a graduate of Christendom College and Holy Apostles Seminary.

“Sometimes healing in marriage is just having the humility to realize that God is the answer,” he said. “Catholics are badly catechized in this day and age, and they look to build on a foundation that is not there.”

Father Casey asked, “What does God tell us about marriage?” He replied, “Except for your own soul, after God, the top responsibility is to your spouse. Love your spouse and walk with God.”

A true marriage is from God — not the church, not the state, and not the spouses alone — Father Casey emphasized.

“Marriage is a sacred covenant, not just a contract, and not just an agreement that can be broken if things don’t work out,” he concluded. “But with God you can overcome any obstacles.”