A reinvigorated Marriage Encounter (ME) Movement in 2008!

Wilfred and Kay Holder (left to right) chat with Harold Woodruffe and Malcom and Lynn Joab during a break at the 29th Marriage Encounter convention, Emmaus Centre.

Nigel and Heather Thomas (left to right) are presented with a gift by Yvette and Douglas James. At right is Roger Scott at the 29th Marriage Encounter convention, Emmaus Centre. The Thomas’ and Scott’s are presenters on ME weekends.

Fr Tom Frings speaks at the Marriage Encounter convention. Raymond Syms photos

That is the expressed hope and plan of national coordinators Douglas and Yvette James, as they presented their report at the 29th annual ME convention.

Theme of last weekend’s (November 2-4) convention at Emmaus Centre was We Are the Beloved.

The coordinators said while the movement “will not die, growth seems slow” for various reasons, including limited human resources. They said with the support of team couples and others they intend to make the movement more “vibrant and visible” in the archdiocese.

Other stalwart couples agreed to support their efforts. The Moffetts, Louise and Ermine, who once held the coordinator post, said as the movement will celebrate its 30th convention next year, and it should be “Vision 3030” - each couple should invite 30 other couples to attend.

Wilfred Holder, who along with wife Kay introduced ME to the archdiocese, said team couples should embark on a recruitment drive and make themselves more visible by making short presentations in parishes.

The James described their first year as coordinators as a “challenging journey”, and thanked all for their support, trust and affirmation in the face of anxiety and skepticism.

eminary lecturer Fr Tom Frings, SJ delivered the mid-morning feature address last Sunday. His humourous talk focussed on the process of relationship, commitment, and the sacrament of marriage.

Using the text John 16: 24, the American Jesuit priest said Christ came to bring abundant life and to do this, we must become life-givers to our spouse, family and the world. “The world needs healing. Your sacrament is God’s gift to you, to make you into images of Christ. If you allow him to transform you, you will bring healing, you will become life-givers.”

This year’s convention began Friday night with Mass and a welcome by the James’. Sessions on Saturday were: “Taken” presented by Leif and Arlene Johnson, “Amazing Grace” by Lynn and Malcom Joab, “Claiming the Anguish” by Anthony and Lyris Piper and “Given” by Robert and Natalie O’Connell. After Sunday morning prayer, The James’ presented “Living as the Beloved.”

Fr Robert Llanos, Vicar for Family Life and chair of the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission, celebrated the closing Mass.
ME events for 2008:

• January 12: New Year Mass at the Family Life Centre, Chaguanas
• February 17: Day of Prayer and Reflection at the Family Life Centre
• February 29 – March 2: ME weekend, Emmaus Centre
• May 4: Family Day (tentative, venue to be announced)
• September 9: Enrichment Day (venue to be announced)
• October 3 – 5: ME weekend, Emmaus Centre
• November 9-11: 30th Annual ME Convention, Emmaus Centre

- RS