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To
all those who serve others in Marriage Preparation Programs: Recognizing
that money can be a major source of stress in relationships, and
that financial problems are cited as the leading cause of divorce,
In 1989 I asked my parish priest how I could best use my talent as a Certified Financial Planner to help others in our church community. In response, he told me that many young couples preparing for marriage had a great need for financial direction. He asked me to share with them the basics of financial planning based on spiritual values as part of their marriage preparation programs. The mission of The Scully Files was born. After the hour presentation with the couples I initially encountered, I always wished I had a resource they could take with them - a summary of our discussions and the forms they would need to organize and implement a financial plan based on their values and goals. My book The Scully Files - A Young Couple's Blueprint for Managing Money was published in 2000 to provide this resource. Marriage & Money, published in the Fall
of 2005, is an updated, Catholic Social Services in the Diocese of Charlotte was the first to use my book as a resource in their marriage preparation workshops. One hour of their one-day program is devoted to understanding financial planning principles, communicating effectively, keeping money in perspective, and being good stewards of all we are given. Whether it is me, personally, or a financial professional recruited through the local parish, having a financial professional available for an hour to share their expertise and answer questions has enabled couples to begin to openly discuss money concerns. Providing the workbook as part of the program and as a resource to take home and work through, has provided these couples with a much-needed confidence and enthusiasm toward handling their money matters in a way that nurtures their relationship and honors God. I am available to those who work in Marriage Preparation or Family Life Offices to explain how to use my book and presentation effectively and to train others to share these basic principles. Please feel free to contact me with your questions via:
Because of my belief in this mission I have made my books available at discounted prices for use in marriage preparation programs. Gerald Carter, Director of Special Ministries for Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Charlotte, can be contacted as a reference for my work. A Final Thought Couples who are engaged to be married are so much in love and committed to each other that they choose to enter the sacrament of matrimony. When we help them begin their life together with a strong financial foundation, we are contributing to their successful marriage and helping them avoid problems down the road. The enthusiasm of the couples and the marriage preparation teams I have worked with have inspired me and motivated me. I feel even more strongly now that financial counseling is essential in marriage preparation programs. As a witness to the love and commitment - to the vow they make before God and the church - I pray this gift of guidance will support and strengthen their marriages. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have. Thank you for letting me share my mission with you, and may God bless you! |
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