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  Family - Weekend Effect

Continuing Our Journey

Fr. Bob McDonald, SM

In a few days, Dave & Ellie Mulcahy, the Maine leadership couple, will be coming to Van Buren, ME. They are coming to present a Day of Enrichment. This is an annual gathering of couples and priests who have made the Marriage Encounter Weekend.

I am looking forward to this day.

Without the help of others, I would not be able to keep alive the gift of the Weekend which I received in May of 1978. My life has been enriched by staying close to Dave & Ellie, Ralph & Dotty Cornette, and many other couples and priests in Maine and around this country. (Even with Bishop Loft in the Solomon Islands). My daily love letter remains the tool that keeps me in touch with my feelings. I am faithful to writing that letter because of the loving support of others who believe in dialogue.

Though many miles from Dave & Ellie, I stay in touch with them by sharing our feelings in dialogue. We call it “trialogue.” Thanks to email and telephone we can do it. (I admit to failure in making this a weekly experience. I feel the sadness when I fail to take the initiative to write to them, or call).

I have “trialogued” with Ralph & Dotty many times during the years. I will miss them on this day of enrichment. Ralph is recovering from recent major heart surgery. I am inspired to hear that their dialogue has not missed a beat after many years of writing their love letters. They are the couple who sent me an Energizer Bunny for Christmas. I get my energy from being close to them and to all the other couples and priests in my life.

In this parish there are many couples who have made the Weekend. I see them together at Mass. I see their passion for each other and for the Church. My love for the Church continues to grow.

We are in the midst of planning for the future of the parishes in this area. Last night we gathered for an “Open Forum.” My heart rejoiced in seeing so many couples and priests there who have made the Weekend. I have great hope for the “New Evangelization.”

Our Marriage Encounter Dream, the renewal of the Church, is coming true! “Bride of Christ,” I love you! More than ever!

-Fr. Bob McDonald, SM

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