eMatrimony

eMatrimony Newsletter - May 22, 2008

The eMatrimony Newsletter delivers a message from the US Secretariat Weekend Pillar leaders. Articles include: Beautiful Music Together; Stellar Communities; Fr. Chuck, 50 years; WWME Convention.

eMatrimony Newsletter - February 26, 2008

The latest eMatrimony Newsletter brings a greeting from the US Secretariat Community Pillar leaders. Articles include: Pope's Endorsement of WWME; Stellar Communities; WWME Convention; A 10-Step Program.

eMatrimony Newsletter - January 1, 2008

The all-new eMatrimony Newsletter publishes its first email edition to welcome the new year! Articles include: Oprah Features ME; WWME Convention; ME Kids; Section Enrichment.

eMatrimony News Flash - March 25, 2007

The concept of an electronic magazine to replace the paper issue of Matrimony was the 2003 vision of Bob and Huli Tabone, the United States Secretariat National Leadership Couple. Bakers, from the west coast, and Beckers, from the east coast, communicated by email the first time on February 17, 2003 to begin brainstorming how to develop what has become eMatrimony. George and Judy Denton who had just moved from Texas to Arkansas were recruited to design part of the home page. It has been over four years now and we hope Bob Tabone, who passed away in March of 2003, is pleased with how eMatrimony has grown.

WWME Great Community March 2007

The following words from the famous song only begin to express the love the WWME Community extends to the couples and priests in their area. "Oklahoma, ev'ry night my honey lamb and I sit alone and talk and watch a hawk makin' lazy circles in the sky."

Rome Office Issues Prayer Cards, Relics to Promote John Paul II Sainthood

Included is a fax, number, address and web site to order free prayer cards and relics to help promote the sainthood of Pope John Paul II.

Obstacles to Great Dialogue

What is it that keeps you from committing to spending the valuable 10 and 10 time to enhance your relationship every day? Are you willing to change?

Marriage: A Story and A Sacrament

Two persons, who have discerned that their lives are converging, encounter God's presence as they progress towards an intimacy which is expressed in a total response to each other, emotional, spiritual and genital. This intertwining of two lives which evolves only through the passage of years is the sacrament of marriage. It is both a commitment and an ongoing process. We are married and yet we are always marrying.

eMatrimony News Flash - March 4, 2007

Please consider each day to say a little prayer for our new WWME U.S. Secretariat Team. This is a huge responsibility and commit of personal time and energy. Please pray for their wisdom and ability to inspire each of us in our endeavors to renew the church and change the world.

It Happened On The Way To The Dance

When asked to write for their local newsletter about their vision for Community, this couple wrote the following letter about how they hoped all Communities would be.

Community-Building Initiatives for WWME

Looking for information to help strengthen your local WWME community? We have a resource that we sometimes forget about in our Electronic Resource Library.

The Search For More

Food for contemplation during Lent: "Wherever you are in your relationship with God, there is more."

Lent - Reflections Past and Present

Joy becomes so ever-present in the midst of all our endeavors when we somehow think not only of ourselves but the good effect our endeavors will have on others.

Selection of New WWME U.S. Secretariat Team

On Saturday, in Houston Texas, the Holy Spirit graced the Selection Process with openness and wisdom as the US Board selected our new US Secretariat Team.

Dubai: World Marriage Day Celebrated

Per the advance registration, there were 11 couples who completed 25 years of married life in the month of February. However, three couples came forward to the sanctuary and exchanged rings.

Longest married couple in Alliance, Nebraska

Mildred said that marriage is a give and take relationship. Talking is an important part as well, she said. "We always talk things out. It wasn't all roses, but we talked it out."

'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?'

On December 16, 2006, Fr. Greg Boisvert died of complications from treatment for lymphoma. We have lost a great supporter on earth, but we know he continues to cheer all of us on as we continue in our quest of "The Dream."

Affirming Military Couples

Please consider how you as a couple, or how your Community, can support the WWME couples separated by one spouse being deployed in military service to our country.

eMatrimony News Flash - February 11, 2007

We offer our prayers for all of you red-hot lovers this week of Valentines Day and for your celebration of World Marriage Day. We ask you this week to offer your prayers for the United States Secretariat as they gather February 17, 2007 to select the new National Coordinating Team. May the Holy Spirit guide our representatives as they prayerfully select our new leaders. As a suggestion for Lent, which begins February 21, 2007, we encourage you to use the Stations of the Cross for Couples located in the WWME Resource Library at ERL.wwme.org/cp/Dialogue. Our Love Circle has committed to use the Stations for our reflections during our Lent gatherings.

Section 13's Annual Enrichment - The Called and Gifted Workshop

Couples and priests from Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho gathered for a workshop to help us begin discerning our spiritual gifts and how we might better allow God to work through us.

Canadian Secretariat Report of World Council Meeting

A brief and informative report of the World Council meeting held January 2007 in Guatemala.

Source of Pope John Paul II Quote Found

Learn the origin of the papal quote, "I place much of my hope for the future in Marriage Encounter." It has often been referenced but over the years, no one could remember exactly where or to whom the comment was made.

Retired Bishop and WWME Supporter in the Solomon Islands Expires

One of the greatest gifts an area can receive from the Church is the support of their local bishop. Without the support of this bishop WWME may not have survived in the Solomon Islands. He will be missed greatly.

Alaska WWME 3rd Annual World Marriage Day Dinner-Dance and Inviting Celebration

A fun evening that included Mass, sharing a meal and dancing, a raffle, and honoring priests and married couples.

WWME Great Community February 2007

Section 11's San Diego Community takes the award this month for how they combine their fun activities and their support of the Weekend.

A Tribute to Fr. Bob McDonald, S.M.

Read about the life of "Fr. Mac", a true missionary in his life, and a tireless servant of the Lord in our movement.

A Letter From the Past... Our Personal WWME Story

We'll be the first to tell you that marriage is not an easy road. It's a day to day journey that we must choose to travel together. We still struggle, we have our fights, but each morning we have a choice and we try to choose love.

eMatrimony News Flash - January 21, 2007

On Saturday August 16, 2003 the United States Secretariat of Worldwide Marriage Encounter chose new National Leaders - Bob & Joy Hernandez from Upton, MA (Section 1) and Fr. Chuck Kosanke from Detroit, MI (Section 6). On February 17, 2007, a process will be held to select the next National Leaders for the United States Secretariat. Bob & Joy and Fr. Chuck have served us all commendably, giving far more of their time, talent and treasure than any of us will ever know. We offer them our greatest appreciation and gratitude for the loving gift of self they have been to all of us. We offer our prayers for wherever the Lord will lead them next. We ask all of you to join us in prayers between now and February 17 for a Spirit-led National Leadership Process. May God continue to protect and guide our Worldwide Marriage Encounter ministry.

He Was Priest, Bishop, Decorated Military Officer, Episcopal Moderator, Leader, and Lover

One of WWME's great leaders and lovers, Bishop Jack Kaising, received his last earthly assignment on January 13, 2007.

WWME Great Community January 2007

The temperature in the Phoenix Area is not all from the sun. There are also some red hot passionate lovers adding their glow to Arizona.

World Marriage Day 2007

It is not too late! You still have time to start or complete your World Marriage Day plans.

World Marriage Day Purpose and History

Follow the link to the WMD site for this World Marriage Day Purpose and History plus Sample Press Releases, Sample Liturgies, Ideas and Suggestions, an Apostolic Blessing and much more.

"Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti"

Humor can help us to understand our different communication styles. "Men are From Mars Women are From Venus" is a good example. From the sounds of things there may be another perspective.

Dialogue: A Time for Us

How are you using your dialogue to improve your relationship? Have you become complacent in your choice of questions? If you are not dialoguing daily, how would reinstituting the habit improve your relationship?

Celebration, "Do this in memory of me."

"Do this in memory of me" is not so much a command, but an invitation to celebrate.

eMatrimony News Flash - December 31, 2006

Happy New Year! 2006 has been a memorable year for us as we are sure it has been for many of you. We pray that 2007 will be a year full of happy family times, growth in your WWME Community and full Weekends. May your daily dialogue bring renewed closeness to you in your relationships. May you and your loved ones be prosperous emotionally and financially.

WWME Great Community December 2006

"Be-Encountering", a WWME sharing group community in Bolingbrook, IL, has been meeting monthly since 1986. Read how they use the FAMIS theme to enhance their Community.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from a WWME priest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

A Christmas wish and news from half way around the world.

Give Us This Day

An inspiration led these area leaders for the Columbus Ohio area to a new way of reaching out to all couples. They provide a daily reflection and along with it links to learn about Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

Why Dialogue?

On the Weekend it may seem that Dialogue is the answer to opening our communication, but then after a while it seems to lose effectiveness. People doubt if they are dialoguing right then sometimes in desperation ask the question - why dialogue?

Spirituality and Sexuality in Marriage

"Our love in our marriage is a sign of God's love for His people. Our love grows through our communication. Communication in our marriage is the means by which we build unity, and our sexual relationship is very important to us in establishing and maintaining our unity. This is God's plan in our marriage, a gift from God."

eMatrimony News Flash - December 10, 2006

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas! We pray that during the next few weeks of Advent you and your loved ones will find time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Seeing Christmas decorations in stores, sometimes before Thanksgiving is over, puts us in secular overload and can numb us to the true importance of Jesus' Birthday.

Barn Mass Brings Home Advent for Central Florida Couples

It is not quite a manger in Bethlehem, but it is the closest resemblance that you can get to start Advent if you live in Central Florida.

The Holy Spirit is Alive in the San Bernardino, CA Community

Excitement is building after the area's fourth full Weekend. Read about how their Community is supports their Weekend greet-off.

Celebrating Christmas

How one parish celebrates a simple Christmas to help the children be a part of Jesus' birthday.

An Open Letter

A couple shares that for them what it came down to was this: we wanted to change our relationship, like it was on the Weekend, but not enough to change our way of life.

This Year's (1981) Convention is #10!

Hear the excitement of the 1981 Convention Committee as they recounted the history of the first nine Marriage Encounter Conventions.

Happy Birthday to You's

If you would consider your wedding day as the birth of you as a couple these are some of the birthday presents you might receive to celebrate your anniversary.

A Tribute to Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Kane, US Army

Joseph M. Kane, 35, was a Staff Sergeant in the Army killed in Iraq on October 14, 2006. Joe was a career Army veteran, having served 2 tours in Iraq. Joe leaves behind a widow and three children ages 6, 5, & 17 months. Staff Sergeant Kane is the son of Joe & Mary Kane who are in the Philadelphia Area, in Chester County. This tribute was written by Joe's cousin, Nicole Scali.

eMatrimony News Flash - November 19, 2006

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We ask that if you open this News Flash on Sunday morning that you might take just a moment to thank God for all the couples and priests around the world who have been spending their weekend at a Worldwide Marriage Encounter striving to improve their relationship with each other and with God.

A Visit with Ogdensburg, NY Bishop Robert J. Cunningham

If you personally know your bishop, remind him of the gift of WWME in his diocese. If you do not know your bishop please contact you Local Area Leaders and/or Section Coordinators to offer your help in setting up a meeting with the bishop in your diocese.

Gratitude for WWME from the Fiji Islands

Remember every weekend, but especially on Sunday morning, to pray for all those couples and priests around the world who are experiencing their Weekend. Your gift of prayer is powerful and is truly appreciated.

Gifts

So often we relate gifts to birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, baptisms, or Christmas. But here a priest considers the gifts he has received as he thinks about Thanksgiving.

Detroit Area Day of Romance

"We left the day with so much to think about. We never realized there was so much involved in God's true plan for us and the world! We had taken so much for granted. This was one of those enrichments that will stay with you the rest of your life."

Section 1 Enrichment 2006

One hundred Section 1 lovers were challenged to look at new material to help them with their relationships and to be more active in their Local Areas.

WWME Great Community November 2006

WWME love is in full bloom in Central Florida. 21 Share Groups, seven Weekends per year, one-day enrichments, and even a cruise to bring the "world" into Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

eMatrimony News Flash - October 29, 2006

This News Flash highlights some of the articles recently posted on eMatrimony.

Section 12 Convention 2006

Section 12 held their 2006 Convention at Santa Clara University, the first Convention put on by Section 12 since 1998.

Baton Rouge/Acadiana World Priest Day 2006

It is pretty hard to tell when a bishop, priest or religious sister is telling a lie, especially when they insert two truths that make you wonder. A wonderful World Priest Day appreciation meal was celebrated with a game of Two Truths and a Lie.

Spiritual Ponderings about a WWME Weekend

Some of you might be asking, "Why would a priest go to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend?" Here are a couple of reasons.

Giving Thanks

The attached love letter addressed to Ralph & Dotty was Fr. Bob's article for the November WWME - Maine Edition of the Encounter Spirit expressing his gratitude for his time of involvement with Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

Let's Stop Playing Games - Listening

You can never be the judge if you are a good listener. You are only as good a listener as the person being listened to thinks that you are.

Prayer: A Dialogue with God

"To us, prayer is the language of faith. It is addressing words from the heart to God. It is a dialogue with God, and as in any dialogue, both parties speak and both listen."

Dialogue - The Heart of Celibate Spirituality

Dialoguing priests state "We are convinced that dialogue fits close to the heart (where else?) of celibate spirituality. We can claim it for our own. It fits us. So maybe it's time we spoke up for dialogue and what we have to say for dialogue may also apply to couples."

National Dialogue Day 10/10/2006

DIALOGUE - What we have here, is a success in communication.

A Great Honor Bestowed Upon WWME Couple

The distinguished honor of Knight and Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has been bestowed upon WWME's Legal Advisors.

Calling all Calendar Guys and Gals

It is time to submit your photos for the 2008 WWME Calendar. Who would not want to be shown in the WWME calendar when the theme is PASSION?

Sharing Circle at Sea

To add some motion to the emotions shared in the Sharing Circle this group went to sea.

WWME Great Community October 2006

"We call our area Rochester/WNY. It includes the Dioceses of Rochester and Buffalo." "We think that one of the main reasons this area has been strong for all these years are the couples that have been involved for many years. They are scattered throughout the community and they help keep the momentum and enthusiasm going."

Day of Romance

If you are looking for a WWME Community event either to attend or to plan for your local Community maybe you could consider what the Oakland County Zone in Michigan is planning.

Chicago-Gary Activities for World Priest Day 2006

1,829 priests received the love and support of the Illinois WWME Family.

World Priest Day 2006 Activities in MA and RI

World Priest Day mailings of over 1600 letters to priests in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Area acknowledged on Boston Catholic Television.

Bishop and Priest Meetings

Gaining your Bishop's support for WWME can go a long ways in improving Weekend attendance. If you are considering contacting your Bishop or Archbishop, as the couple in this article did, please coordinate your efforts with your Local Area Leaders and/or Section Coordinators.

Aloha Inviting Ideas

The Aloha State sends some of their Inviting Ideas and asks you to return the favor. If you are like us you would love to return the favor in person.