Marriage Enrichment 

 

Pennsylvania for Marriage

The institution of marriage as we know it is being challenged and the time has come for Pennsylvanians to take action. Twenty-seven states have amended their constitutions to protect marriage, but Pennsylvania is at risk. Pennsylvanians need to amend our State Constitution to protect marriage between one man and one woman from re-definition or legalized “civil unions.” Learn more!

Marriage Encounter

Marriage enrichment weekend designed to improve good marriages; presented by a team of two couples and a priest.

Weekends:    

February 12 - 14, 2010
St. Francis Center

Bethlehem
 

October 15 - 17, 2010
Fatima
Renewal Center
Dalton (Scranton Area)

 To learn more about Marriage Encounter and to find weekends in other dioceses or faith expressions, call Ed & Diane Zindell at 570-876-1610 or visit:
http://www.wwme.org

or call 800-787-7679 

Couple Retreats

                 Fatima Renewal Center

 

World Marriage Day

World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as head of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice, and joy in daily married life.

World Marriage Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in February.

Prayer

Father, as we prepare for/celebrate World Marriage Day, we thank you for your tremendous gift of the Sacrament of Marriage. Help us to witness to its glory by a life of growing intimacy. Teach us the beauty of forgiveness so we may become more and more one in heart, mind, and body. Strengthen our communication and help us become living signs of your love. Make us grow more in love with the Church so we may renew the Body of Christ. Make us a sign of unity in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Brother. (Rev William Dilgen, S.M.M.)

 


Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Every spring, the diocese holds a Wedding Anniversary Celebration for couples celebrating their 25 and 50 years of marriage in Saint Peter’s Cathedral where couples will renew their wedding vows.

To obtain an invitation to the Wedding Anniversary Celebration held during the year of your twenty-fifth or fiftieth wedding anniversary, give your name and a February mailing address to your pastor by January 10th. Even if you cannot attend you will receive a commemorative packet following the celebration.

 

Advice from couples married fifty or more years to those celebrating twenty-fifth anniversaries:

  • Stay close together in all things you do. Don’t dwell on problems; remember ‘for better or worse’ is even more important at this time of your life. (Elaine and Paul)
     

  • Trust and believe in each other. There will be hard times and good times, but no matter what, keep up the struggle. (Catherine and Alu)
     

 

Hurting Marriages


Retrouvaille
March 12 - 14, 2010 at Fatima Renewal Center

A weekend and follow-up sessions for stressed marriages put on by trained priest and married couples who have survived marital difficulties; not counseling or group therapy. A registration deposit is required and a donation will be requested; finances should not prevent attendance.


Q: What is Retrouvaille?
A: The word means “rediscovery” for the program offers a chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving marriage.


Q: How is this different from Marriage Encounter?
A: Marriage Encounter is designed to make a good marriage better while Retrouvaille is designed to bring a failing marriage back to life.  

Q: What situations can benefit from Retrouvaille?
A: If you or someone you know is thinking of separation or divorce, or are already separated but want to try again, Retrouvaille might be able to help. While this is a Catholic program, we welcome couples of all faiths. Since Retrouvaille is designed to help marriages, it is not recommended for those who are unmarried and living together.  

Q: How does Retrouvaille work?
A: Retrouvaille holds a live-in weekend for married couples during which a series of presentations is given to the group of couples attending. The presentations address issues that might be causing marital difficulty and emphasize a communication technique.  

For more information, contact:
     Bob and Nettie Goldate
     703 Lilac Lane
     Clarks Summit, PA 18411
     570-587-0415 or 570-586-1741 for info/register
     Net530@comcast.net
     Retrouvaille Website:  www.retrouvaille.org



Weekends:
          October 16 - 18, 2009

        Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton

Information and registration:
570-587-0415 toll free from Wilkes-Barre and Scranton
Otherwise, call 800-470-2230
www.retrouvaille.org


Conflict Resolution
Counseling

Catholic Social Services
822-7118 (Wilkes-Barre)
207-2283 (Scranton)