MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER http://www.wwme.org/
Worldwide Marriage Encounter offers a weekend experience designed to give married couples the opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It's a chance to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It's a time to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other.
The emphasis of the Marriage Encounter weekend is on the communication between husbands and wives. The weekend provides a conducive environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their relationship.
It's not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Marriage.
This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together, to rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention!
Testimony:
Matt & Michelle Wolfersberger - Atlanta, GA - Added 3/21/06
Our weekend ended yesterday and what an emotional ride. After only two and a half years of marriage we knew we needed some help. The weekend was my husband's idea and I was very resistant.
We were living a good life, but as married singles. We had no idea just how far we had drifted apart until we started dialoging. My walls came down and I could see how much my unwillingness to share my feelings had hurt our marriage. By Sunday, we were both emotionally drained but we left feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted from our shoulders. We see each other in a completely different light now, and we look forward to our lives together. We can't wait to utilize the tools we learned and meet up with our WEDS group. Thanks to Father Francois - we thought you were just wonderful and you opened our eyes to the life of a priest. Thanks to the teams too - your stories and courage were inspiring. This is a journey for all married couples, whether you think you need it or not.
Andrew & Jeanne Lydon - Abington, PA - Added 3/21/06
I always thought that we had a pretty good marriage and were very much in love. We did, however, have our 'up' times and 'down' times as most marriages do. We were having a 'down' time last year in a disagreement about one of our children (we have 7 children and don't always agree). We were going through a period where we just couldn't communicate. I couldn't even tell you what the issue was because, as usual, it is now long forgotten.
I was searching websites, very late one night, and came across marriage encounter. We are Catholic and 50 years old and knew several couples who had gone on these weekends many years ago. I e-mailed a reservation right then and there. By the time I received a phone call from a representative of the group, I had asked my husband if he would consider it, and he agreed reluctantly. My 1st question on the phone was "Are we too old for this?". The answer I got was "Of course not, all ages attend, however, after this weekend you are going to wish you did it sooner in your marriage".
Well, we made our weekend 5 months ago. It truly is the single best thing we have ever done for ourselves. We learned to communicate through dialogue and I believe we will continue for the rest of our lives. We have joined a group and meet monthly and share our feelings. No matter what, we don't miss these meetings. They are our support group and we all keep each other going. I know now that we are a normal couple with normal problems just like our new friends. We have grown so much closer to God as well as each other.
Do I ever wish that I had done it sooner? I was never one to look back in life. I just look forward. All I can say is that I am so glad that we came in contact with Marriage Encounter. When one of us is gone someday, I expect to have an entire box of books of letters written by my 'true love'. As for now I look forward to our special time, set aside each day for 'us'. Thank you to 'Marriage Encounter'. You have changed my life.
Retrouvaille-A Lifeline for Troubled Marriages
In our society, with the pressures of conflicting demands and too little time, personal relationships are often taken for granted. With all the distractions, we easily forget that strong, caring, loving relationships take work.
Without attention and care, marriages wither. Couples slowly and quietly drift apart or are being torn apart by terrible words and actions. Many are being held together by the mere thread of a married name or "for the sake of the kids". For many, it has been ages since they last knew the joy of a loving relationship. When physical abuse, infidelity, or alcohol or drug abuse are involved, the situation may seem hopeless.
If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if you are thinking about separation or divorce, we believe Retrouvaille can help you.
Retrouvaille helps couples put the pieces back together and rebuilds loving relationships. Retrouvaille is a French word meaning "rediscovery" and it is pronounced re * tro * vai.
http://www.retrouvaille.org/