February 12 - World Wide Marriage Encounter

This week I am continuing a series of columns in which I am highlighting several international associations of the faithful of Pontifical Right that are present in this parish.  Today I am featuring the World Wide Marriage Encounter (WWME).  Once again I am making use of information available on the website for the Pontifical Council for the Laity listing and describing approved Associations of the Faithful.  I have changed spelling to reflect American usage.
HISTORY
Marriage Encounter traces its roots to Spain.  In working with young people in the parish, the Diocesan Laborer priest Gabriel Calvo realized how important it is for the growth and upbringing of children for parents to live in harmony.  He designed an instrument that would facilitate and deepen dialogue between the husband and wife to strengthen the “I will” that they bear in their hearts.   This was presented as a weekend retreat in Spain in 1962.  In 1967, the experience reached the United States through the Christian Family Movement.  In New York the “marriage encounter weekends” were standardized and enriched by a number of married couples and the Jesuit priest Father Chuck Gallagher.  Soon these weekends were being presented in the ten most Catholic cities in the United States.  The New York branch became known as Worldwide Marriage Encounter after the international expansion began in 1972.
IDENTITY
The movement exists to help married couples live their relationship intimately and responsibly and to understand and better their role in the Church.  The foundational experience is the Worldwide Marriage Encounter retreat animated by the testimony of three married couples and a priest who deal with various aspects of daily living.  Participants learn to communicate at a deeper level using the technique of dialogue.  Priests and religious who wish to live authentically their own vocation may also participate.  There is community support to continue the dialoguing lifestyle and to provide further formation.  The movement fosters the integration of married couples and families into parishes, encourages them to use their sacramental love for service in the Church and in the world.
ORGANIZATION
WWME is governed at every level (local, diocesan, regional, national) by Ecclesial Teams made up of a priest and a married couple.  At the worldwide level, the movement is coordinated by the international Ecclesial Team, assisted by six Ecclesial Teams who represent the existing Secretariats for Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Pacific.
MEMBERSHIP
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is present in ninety countries as follows:  Africa (15), Asia (13), Europe (26), North America (12), Pacific (4), and Latin America (20).
LOCALLY
This weekend experience is for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together.  Participating couples get together on a monthly basis.  Coordinator:  Lenny and Betty Baklarz, (301), 412-1909.  For more information, you can check out this website:  https://welovematrimony.org.
Until next week,
Fr. John Dillon
Pastor