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Putting the “World” in Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Felix & Amber Masci

Felix & Amber Masci

The Section 11 Convention drew lovers from all over the Southwest to the hot summer sun in the city of Orange in Southern California July 15-16, 2006. We discovered the challenges, excitement, and joy of “Living a Countercultural Lifestyle” and realized by living the WWME lifestyle we are “Rebels with a Cause”.

One aspect of the Section 11 conventions past is fundraising for the African Secretariat. The challenge was brought back to the Los Angeles North area Executive Board to fundraise for Pan Africa and to head up merchandizing for the convention.

At past conventions, token items were sold for fundraising efforts, but there was little information disseminated about the WWME movement in Africa. We believed this would be a great opportunity to increase the visibility of Pan Africa WWME and thought it would be a fun and interesting project to take on. We did not know it would also be grace-filled and humbling for us as well.

We began our quest for information in October 2005 and were in contact with the Pan Africa ecclesial team couple Daniel & Nadege Flore. Through our journeys we received stories from the Kenyan team members, photographs from impoverished Madagascar that almost brought tears to our eyes, and many, many thanks from Pan African brothers and sisters for the financial assistance and prayers from the United States.

The item we chose for donation at the convention was wood rosaries. Section 11 purchased them as a gift from an on-line religious supply since it was cost-prohibitive to purchase or make and ship goods from Africa. We chose rosaries because they are a beautiful, practical memento and make great gifts. Most rosaries were blessed by Fr. Jim Thornton on Saturday morning. Just three weeks after the convention, we went from the 150 rosaries we initially purchased to just 9. We made over $2,926 to support the African Secretariat.

The success of our donations depended largely on the short presentation we gave at the convention. Seeing and hearing is believing! You can get a copy of our presentation by following this link:

eMatrimony.org/news/20060802_PanAfricaNotes.pdf

and see and read for yourself about the amazing conditions that loving couples experience when attending WWME Weekends in some African countries. Learn about the economy and literacy in Africa; read two stories about outreach and how perilous it can be for presenting teams to travel to give WWME Weekends. Most striking, see the photographs from Madagascar where food is cooked over an open fire and couples dialogue on dirt floors.

Presentation Board and Rosaries

The feelings I, Amber, experienced during preparation for the convention were delight, intrigue, astonishment and humility. On the days of the convention I felt joyful and thankful in prayer as couple after couple donated money for rosaries, some couples coming back twice!

I, Felix, felt joyful that people responded to our presentation so well, and honestly were giving and supporting our family in Africa. I felt honored to be involved in helping others.

We hope that you too will be inspired to reach out to another part of the world and rejoice in the reality that we are: Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

Click here for a printable version (PDF, 38KB)