The Catholic Marriage Initiatives Fund (The CMI Fund) set aside the sum of one million dollars to be awarded in grants ranging in size between $10,000 and $50,000 to dioceses and archdioceses for the purpose of implementing new and/or enhanced ministry programs which are in alignment with both the Pastoral Framework of the USCCB and the goals and objectives of the CMI Fund whose purpose is to dramatically increase the availability of and participation in high quality Catholic Marriage Ministries throughout the United States by empowering U.S. dioceses and parishes to implement high quality Marriage Ministries that are balanced between Vision, Skills, and Support, across all the ages and stages of the marital life-cycle.   

In 2023, The Diocese of Lansing applied for and was awarded a $50,000 grant from the CMI Fund to address key areas (determined by the diocese) in which married couples need assistance - Families in Crisis and Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss. This grant required that the diocese provide matching funds which brought the total of the grant to $100,000 to address these key areas.

First, it was determined that many families come to their parish when they are in crisis. Crises can be anything from financial need, to failing marriages, to infertility, to children with disabilities, and many more. The parish is often the first place that families in crisis go, so it was determined that the parish acts as a "first responder" in many cases. From this, the First Responders Initiative was envisioned. It will enable us to train teams in each of our parishes, groupings, or deaneries who can accompany couples in crisis.

Second, we determined that our current Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss Ministry was quickly being outpaced by need and we needed to expand it. For that reason, we will train additional ministers in miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss ministries. 

Please click on the links to learn more about these two ministries and how to get involved.

Do you have questions or comments about our CMI grant? Please fill out the form below.