February 15, 2025

Marriage ministry brings couples closer to Christ

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

HOLYOKE — Deacon Jose Correa and his wife Miguelina have been married for 42 years. They have three children, three grandchildren, and they built their family on a solid foundation.

“I am the lucky one. For me in my life the Lord is the first thing. The second thing after the Lord is my wife. Then my kids. Everyone else comes later, but my wife is the most important thing the Lord has given me,” said Deacon Correa who is assigned to St. Jerome Parish in Holyoke.

The couple raised their children in the church and are very involved in pro-life ministry, Rachel’s Vineyard in particular, the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal and John XXIII.

Six years ago the Correas, who had been teaching marriage prep,  felt a calling to start a marriage ministry, “Espiritualidad Matrimonial.” They hold monthly meetings and yearly retreats which attract as many as 70 couples from across the Diocese of Springfield.

“One of the things that we do in the group is to make sure we have a clear understanding that marriage is not just between us,” said Deacon Correa. “Jesus is the big part of it. We need to have Jesus in our life and within the classes and the group itself, we teach that Jesus has to be first.”

Deacon Jose and Miguelina counsel couples who are not married and living together, explaining the teachings of the church.

“Our ministry, we welcome everyone but it’s a fine line. At the end, the end result will be marriage in the church,” he said. “Since we started the group (Espiritualidad Matrimonial) I can say we have had five marriages that resulted in being a part of the group and participating in the monthly meetings.”

Miguelina said it’s important for couples to prioritize Mass, even when life gets busy with children in different activities.

“You want to play baseball, church is first. Then we can go to baseball,” said Miguelina. “Once my children started growing up, one wanted baseball the other wanted dance. It gets complicated. We have to teach them that the Lord is first in everything we do.”

Mabeline and Tony Burgos took the marriage prep course with the Correas and are now proudly part of the marriage ministry.

“We encourage everyone to get closer to God first to know what he is asking you, so when you get into marriage, it’s not to try it. It’s to live it to the fullest until death puts us apart. Then we encounter Him,” said Tony Burgos.

A big part of the ministry is focusing on the Holy Family.

“But he shows this Holy Family, Joseph and Mary to be his parents. Therefore, this is something important. It is through the Holy Family. They are our model, especially for Catholic families. They were so obedient to God,” said Mabeline Burgos.

Research shows that marriage rates are on the decline and more than 40 percent of first marriages end in divorce.

But Deacon Jose, Miguelina, Mabeline and Tony all agree that God can turn this around.

“Like all couples we had our ups and downs. In the beginning three hard years. Our first years were really hard. We made it through because God was our center,” said Miguelina.

To learn more, find “Espiritualidad Matrimonial” on Facebook or email at espiritualidadmatrimonial@gmail.com

A video version of this story will be featured on tonight’s edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.