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WWME - Eastern Unit Celebrates 32 Years in Australia

Stephen & Brenda Goode

On Sunday 19 February, the Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s (WWME) family invited recently and past ‘encountered’ couples, in New South Wales (NSW) to join parishioners of St. Ambrose Church, Concord West, to give thanks for 32 years of God’s blessings.

During the Mass, couples renewed their wedding vows and Unit Leaders – Bill & Ardell Sharpe gave a brief overview of Worldwide Marriage Encounter in Australia.

Celebrations continued with a picnic at nearby Bicentennial Park. This was a joyful time for couples and families as we renewed old acquaintances, made new friends and recalled our WWME Weekend experiences. We also paid tribute to the WWME Movement that came to Australia from America, through the hard work of a visionary couple, Ron & Mavis Pirola, and priest, Father Joe McCann.

Since that first Weekend back in February of 1974, 30,000 Australian couples, priests, and religious have received the invitation to change the world through their experience of a WWME Weekend.

For couples attending the Anniversary Celebrations, Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s mission statement of renewal in the Church and change in the world continues to inspire and support us!

During the afternoon the new Coordinating Team was announced and Bill & Ardell Sharpe, sadly farewelled. Cheryl & Eugene Gabin will continue in their leadership role and be joined by Jim & Wanda Kaucz from Canberra. A commissioning ceremony for the new leaders will take place in April.

From the Worldwide Marriage Encounter – Eastern Unit Team
Sydney, NSW, Australia

Click for a larger image (JPG, 111KB)

PS – This group photo was taken during our picnic celebrations. You will see that we proudly display our ME banner! This banner is the original one given to us 32 years ago by the American Team that travelled to Sydney to present the first ever ME weekend in Australia. You will note that the cross is upside down – why? This was made purposely and symbolizes that we live in the land ‘down under’!

Click here for a printable version (PDF, 59KB)