T.O.O.L. - Marriage

T.O.O.L. - Marriage Couples Group

What is Teams of Our Lady (T.O.O.L.)?

It is an International Christian Community

· of married couples meeting in Christ’s Name and in communion with the Church.

· who witness God’s marvelous plan of love to the world around them.

· and seek to live as the first Christians of whom it was said: “See how they love one another!”

It is a way

· to grow in love of God and each other a little more each day.

· aided by the mutual help and support of other similar minded couples that gather monthly to share a meal, pray, and study.

· to thus better follow the One who assured us that: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

Why as a couple?

· because God has entrusted you to each other through the Sacrament of Matrimony.

· because when your response is made in unison it deeply affects:

- the quality of your love

- your children

- all whom you meet

Why with other couples?

· because as a Team there is more strength.

· in a world where fidelity is no longer esteemed, meeting with others who value married life can bring joy and hope to all.

T.O.O.L. is open to couples who are in a marriage recognized by the Church.

Only one spouse needs to be Catholic.

For more information visit our web site: www.teamsofourlady.org or contact

Scott and Heather Pagano

281-359-2431

hpagano@earthlink.net

Ellen & TJ Holt

281-360-0440

holtte1@earthlink.net

In 1939 four young couples approached their parish priest, Father Henri Caffarel, and asked his help in exploring the richness and joy of their Sacrament of Matrimony. From these simple beginnings T.O.O.L has grown to a worldwide movement, present on all continents of the world and involving over 3,000 couples in the United States. The formal charter for the Movement was adopted on December 8, 1947. It is recognized by the Holy See as an Association of Faithful of Private Right under the Pontifical Council for Laity. The Movement is guided by an International Responsible Team in concert with a College of Super-Regional Couples who serve their various countries.

Since its beginning the purpose of the Movement has remained the same: to help each couple discover, in and through their sacrament of Matrimony, the riches and joy of married love as a part of God's plan and a path to holiness.

In May 1970 Pope Paul VI addresses the International Congress of Teams of Our Lady. The address is called "Love, Marriage and the Church."

"The union of man and woman …constitutes a singular reality that is the couple, founded on the mutual gift of the one to the other …" (Art 5) … the gift is not a fusion, strictly speaking …. Love is, in fact, the cement that gives solidarity to this community life, and the driving spirit which leads it to ever more perfect fulfillment." (Art 6)

In January 2003 Pope John Paul II held a private audience with the International Leadership Couples gather in Rome, urging their continued work with married spirituality.

The T.O.O.L is not an end in itself, but a means that exists for the benefit of its members. It encourages its members to pray and share together, help one another grow in knowledge and love of the Lord; and to bear witness to that love. T.O.O.L does not impose a particular type of spirituality on its members. The Movement simply seeks to help its members advance, as a couple, along the path shown by Christ.

To promote personal and couple spiritual growth, T.O.O.L proposes that its members undertake a number of specific practices called "endeavors". These endeavors aim to keep couples focused on growth in mutual love and love of God. The Team provides the support and encouragement needed to persevere. The six Endeavors are: