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  Love Letters - Readership

In Praise Of God’s Goodness

Tony & Tessie Lopez

In Praise of God's Goodness – A Story of Triumph of Prayer

Ps 34:19 - The good man suffers many troubles, but the Lord saves him from them all.

On October 13, 2004, we sent a Prayer Request to eMatrimony for Dane & Anne. Dane had a coronary bypass surgery on September 17, 2004, but what was expected to be an overnight stay at the Intensive Care Unit stretched to well over a month due to complications. Friends and family were praying for Dane’s recovery, making Mass offerings and organizing prayer services. For a long time, however, God didn’t seem to answer. Dane’s days at the ICU were a rollercoaster of incremental gains and disappointing setbacks. It was not until October 21st that he was moved out of the ICU.

Ps 22:2 – During the day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer; I call at night, but get no rest.

Anne stayed strong through it all. She patiently stayed with Dane, day in and day out, supported by their children. The family support that we witnessed and Anne’s strong faith and trust in the goodness of God was an inspiration to us.

Ps 31:14 – But my trust is in you, O Lord; you are my God.

Their strength and faith and trust in the Lord is not new to us. We have seen those traits in them many times before. We first met Dane & Anne when we made our Weekend. They were our Admin Couple. They also facilitated our Bridging and were there to support us on our very first pulpit presentation. We have had the opportunity to give Weekends with them. They are always there to give a helping hand; and they do it without us feeling stifled. They are our nurturing mentors.

Dane & Anne are a gift to the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Movement. They are loved and honored, not only in the Toronto County (Canada) where they are based, but also in other Counties. They had been Coordinators at various levels, including National at one time. Presently, they are our County Coordinators. They have given a lot of themselves to the Church and to Worldwide Marriage Encounter. That’s why it hurt us so much to see them suffer.

We called on many saints and holy people, including Georges & Pauline Vanier, a Canadian couple who have been a model for marriage and are widely known for their love for humanity and deep spirituality. Dane & Anne have been very active in the movement to promote their beatification in the Catholic Church.

Ps 117 - But God is good. He listens. His love for us is strong, and his faithfulness is eternal.

We are happy to announce that on October 30th - 43 days after the surgery - Dane came home. He is not entirely well yet, but he is now taking short walks and doing basic exercises to regain his strength.

We join the M.E. Community in praying for Dane’s continued recovery. We also want Dane & Anne to feel the love of their family and friends and so we offer them the following spiritual bouquet – an offering of love and prayers from family and friends in the M.E. community.

This is a letter from Neil, Dane and Anne’s son:

Dane & Anne MacCarthy are pretty amazing people. I can tell you this because they’re not Dane & Anne to me – they’re Mom & Dad. Or I could call them friends, confidants, mentors, role models, leaders.

Mom & Dad have always been involved in lots of activities – in many ways, you can’t think of one without the other. Whether it’s keeping up family traditions or a phone call to check on how that “big event went”, Mom & Dad are a constant presence in our lives.

They truly are living a faith that acts: in their service to others, their lived vocation of marriage, their willingness to respond quietly to those in need. After 42 years of marriage, they’re not afraid to send a love letter, hold hands walking down the street or publicly speak of their affection for one another.

I know their marriage is stronger because of the Marriage Encounter movement. While we were first introduced to M.E. as kids and wondered why everyone was hugging complete strangers, we grew to appreciate and admire M.E. and all that it has done to enrich Mom and Dad’s life together.

There is a song that was often sung at M.E. weekends and conferences – “Companions on the Journey” – I can’t think of a better way to describe their time together.

Recently, my Dad had been quite ill. The support of the M.E. community to my Mom, Dad and all of us has been overwhelming. In many ways, they have all been companions with us on this very difficult journey – organizing special prayer groups, offering Masses, supportive phone calls and e-mails. All quite touching, quite inspiring and in my mind, very “M.E.” - that is caring and compassionate, loving and giving.

From Canada to Australia, the Philippines to the United States and other countries in between – we’ve received messages of support from M.E. couples and Priests. What an amazing comfort it has been to my Mom to hear from one Priest – “Anne – take some time to rest yourself. Remember, when you are asleep someone in the world is praying for you and Dane.”

As I read each email to my Dad, it seemed he couldn’t quite believe all who were praying for him – I’m sure he was embarrassed but at the same time given new energy to hear all those pulling for him. Those prayers in the distance, those voices offering their thoughts, those companions on the journey.

Having celebrated the sacrament of matrimony myself just over one year ago, I hope one day to be able to emulate some of the qualities my parents bring to their vocation – care for others, unconditional love, best friends, models for their family, all grounded in faith.

I know my Dad, Mom and our entire family will be forever grateful for the M.E. community’s support during this difficult time. But it’s not a surprise to me – I know that M.E. will be woven through the fabric of their lives for years to come – all the while hugging each other and total strangers the entire way! God bless all those who have done so much for our family!

Neil MacCarthy
Toronto, Canada

And these are letters from some of the M. E. couples:

Dear Dane & Anne;
You have always been an inspiration to us and we have looked up to you as a model of dedication and commitment for the more than twenty years we have "encountered with you". With you, we always feel warm and loved "just like a baby in his mother's arms". We recall the Weekend we gave with you five years ago, the many times you have provided us with a bed, the dialogues, the enrichments, and now our serving with you on the District IV board. It's now payback time. We're praying for you. Hang in there; all bad things come to an end too.

Love, prayers and His Blessings,
Louise & Dick

Dear Dane & Anne,
We've been praying for both of you since we heard about Dane's medical condition. You've been a tower of strength to our WWME community. We thank you for your support as National Coordinator during our District Celebration '99, your inspiring articles in the Catholic Register, and your presence in our ME special gatherings. You are always in our hearts and prayers.

Love, Felix & Lucita

Dear Dane & Anne,
You and your family have been a bright light in our lives since we moved to Toronto in 1990. Your family's love for each other and for your friends has been an inspiration to us as we raise our children and go about our daily lives. We are remembering you in our thoughts and prayers during this time of illness. God Bless you All.

Love Dionna & Robert

Dear Anne & Dane
After being part of our ME team for several years, we have grown to know you with more intimacy than even some of our relatives. You both are such a cool couple and so easy to work with. Please rest assured that you are in our prayers daily. We know how strong and determined both of you are and what a strong faith you have. This is some of the best medicine anyone can have.

Love & Prayers, Lydia & Bruce

Dear Dane & Anne
Your example of living the Sacrament of Matrimony to the fullest and your love for the Catholic Church is such a wonderful gift to us over the years! We know God has a special plan and we keep you near in prayer each day.

Love, Marge and Gerard

Dearest Dane & Anne,
You have been an inspiration since you started workshopping our talks with us. Your love, caring, commitment and dedication has encouraged us to continue to journey with M.E. We’ve always enjoyed presenting weekends with you and look forward to presenting more with you again. We continue to pray everyday with our family for Dane’s healing and strength for Anne and the family.

With all our love, hugs and prayers,
Pina & Tony Manocchio and the Boys

Dear Dane & Anne,
We have witnessed your leadership, love and support at M.E. Weekends, giving of yourselves wholeheartedly by your sharing and encouraging couples to continue their journey of marital commitments.

We felt privileged having worked with you for the Toronto M.E. World Council Conference. We had the pleasure and fun of hosting the M.E. New Zealand Trio.

You have truly touched so many couples through your example, and caring - a true inspiration to us all.

May God watch over you at this very difficult time.

Rich & Joan Gottfried

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