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| News - Convention We Were Thirsty and We Came To The Waters Joliet, Illinois Community (Excerpted from Spring 1991 Matrimony magazine) The dates were June 29,30 and July 1, 1990. It seems like ages ago, but for the 1700 couples and priests who attended the 1990 Worldwide Marriage Encounter National Convention, the "glow" will go on. ''ALL WHO THIRST, COME TO THE WATER", what a perfect theme for the beautiful "Land of Lakes" Minnesota Convention. Our Convention Committee had so many comments on how very beautiful our Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are. Some convention goers were actually surprised that we didn't have snow! There are a few months here in Minnesota that we don't have snow. The weather could not have been more beautiful to welcome lovers from all over the globe...lovers who would be “cleansed" in the “waters" of the love of Minnesota. Comfort, easy, and simple describe the three days spent at the new Minneapolis Convention Center. Liturgies were inspiring to us all. Even the construction workers at the Convention Center were impressed with all the "loving" going on. Presentations by loving couples and priests made us all renew our love and commitment to ourselves, our Church, and our God. It was a memorable Convention. The friendships made will be with us for a long time. Yes, the dates June 29, 30 and July I do seem like ages ago, but the memories are vivid and rich. Our "yes" to be Convention Coordinators was worth it. We thank all of you who ''came to the waters''; we thank our fantastic committee members; and we send thanks and gratitude to our National Leaders, Don & Rita and Fr. Alex, for their generous support. WHY DID YOU GO TO MINNESOTA? WHAT DID YOU GAIN? On the more serious side, we were not in a very good place with a particular priest. We were very sad and frustrated. On the plane ride we were behind a group of couples who were also bound for Convention. We could not help hearing them speak with delight that a priest dear to them had made a Marriage Encounter last weekend. I winced inside and said "God, you're not going to do this to me all weekend, are you?" As we arrived at Convention, our first encounter was with Fr. Chuck Gallagher, standing out front and hugging everyone in sight. As we entered the lobby, the first people that we met that we knew were Bill & Mary Anne Boylan and Fr. Ray Jackson. Father Ray was the first of the three to hug us. Inside we went to find a seat and who is right there...but the priest who had been the presenting priest in our room at last year's Convention on Long Island. On Saturday morning we walked into our presentation room and took the last two available seats - right by Father Bill Dilgen. At this point, I, Eddie, am crying. On Sunday up comes a priest who needs someone to mind his valuables while he goes to vest for our closing Liturgy. He came over and said “Could you please help me, I don't know anybody?" to which we responded ''Well, Father, we know you - you're one of the guys in black." Sunday evening we went to see the Minnesota Twins game. We stopped in a Mall for a bite to eat and Dee, went off to the ladies room. I noticed another man waiting alongside me outside the ladies room. I figured he was also waiting for his wife, Dee returned, we walked over and introduced ourselves...to still another Father - Father Victor Scocceo. I looked heavenward and said ''Ok, God – enough is enough!" From all this we regained an awareness we were “thirsting for” that yes, there are so very many “good guys” out there in black suits. We began to move toward peace and resolution toward the situation back home. We have said yes to serve as lectors. God clearly had a plan for the two of us that weekend in Minnesota. We are certain he also has a plan for us as we travel to Baltimore for this years Convention. Ed & Dee Graham,
When we heard that the theme was ''COME TO THE WATERS", we were all the more eager. During the previous 12 months we had experienced a new house, a new baby, a job loss and a new job. We were ''thirsty" and we believed we needed to be refreshed and renewed. Along with Fr. Tom Griffith, we arrived at the Loftus home and found signs, balloons, and streamers to welcome us. We knew something special was in the air this weekend. Roger & Peggi had opened their home to 5 couples and Fr. Tom. What wonderful, crazy lovers. Our sleeping quarters were a pop-up camper that we shared with our hosts. Both nights, we stayed up late sharing our most recent struggles, joys, and dreams – as well as a lot of laughs. What an overwhelming sight it was when we entered the Convention Hall. Where did all these wonderful lovers come from? Seeing them was like taking a cool drink on a hot day. There had been times when we wondered “were we all alone in our dream?” We sure found out we weren’t! At lunchtime, a neighboring park was transformed by couples, priests, and religious eager to build community over a picnic basket and cooler. Our local Joliet Encounter came in green tee shirts and it was great to see them wherever we went or sat. We could see so clearly that we were part of an even larger family. We experienced the talks and dialogued with our good friend, Fr. Tom. We shared and listened and grew closer to each other during the Saturday talks. Like on our original Weekend, it was as though the talks were written for us. Participating in the small groups again gave us the experience of being part of this wonderful Marriage Encounter Family of ours. The Sunday liturgy was the icing on the cake. Father Tom told us how special it was for him to share in it. We felt so proud, “our priest” was there and the presence of Bishop Steib was affirming to us. We felt connected to those from our local encounter as well as our entire M.E. Family. There was joy in our hymns, our hearts, and in our hugs. Our return trip was wonderful and peaceful. We had never seen such a big and radiant smile on Fr. Tom. The day after Convention we dialogued on our experiences there. I, Pat, wrote; “It gave me a sense of renewal. It is more than a spark – it is a fire within me. I am not sure what or how – only that it is there. It is a green feeling – like being a baby redwood tree, knowing that we can grow into that special redwood tree with the right light, temperature and rain. It is like being lost but then understanding the road map and how to get back on the read. Me feelings call me forth to keep our focus – knowing that we are special – that we are an extraordinary couple and that we must believe that.” Terri wrote; “The Convention lingers on within me like decorations after a party… like after a vacation when I want to replay and savor all that happened., I felt awestruck and affirmed by the number of people there. It was like getting so many cards when our son was born. I felt strong and motivated – like deciding to tackle a big job. I want to be strong, and grow into the kind of couple we want to be.” We both knew that we needed to keep our dialogue strong. We haven’t missed a day of dialogue since then and that was over nine months ago. We are definitely “hooked” on Conventions. We are registered and ready for our Section Convention in June. We are planning to have more couples there from Joliet, Illinois than from any where else. We are eager for details on our next National Convention. We will be there no matter where it is held. It is not “too far” anymore. Pat & Terri O'Hara Fr. Tom Griffith Click here for a printable version (PDF, 16KB)
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