eMatrimony.org

Supporting, Encouraging, and Challenging the WWME Community

  News - Conventions

WWME Couples Attend Section 9 Convention in Kansas City

Gini Augustine

“Hearts Afire:” what could it mean? Certainly, it sounded like a great logo for this year’s Marriage Encounter Convention, but how could it apply to married couples and priests across a four-state region when the freshness of their vows had passed? How could that dim spark of joy be re-enkindled in their hearts once more? How could they hope to live out the audacious, radical mission entrusted to them by God’s own son?

To find the answer, more than 120 couples and priests from Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming traveled to The Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City on the weekend of August 4-6 for the Section 9 Marriage Encounter Convention. This included 10 couples and two priests from the newly established West/Central Kansas Area, which is mainly defined by the borders of the Salina Diocese.

Representatives from all 10 Areas of Section 9 and members of many “Share groups” as well, captured the attention of all with streaming banners proclaiming their desire to be lovers and followers of Jesus. The symbolism of the banners was quickly reinforced by a gentle, solemn procession of couples carrying lighted candles to encircle a central, flickering heart.

Candle Heart

A quiet hush filled the convention hall as the impact of Christ Himself, setting their hearts afire, became clear. That feeling solidified as those present raised their voices in singing the Convention theme song, “Hearts Afire.” “Did you feel that fire burning…deep within your heart, “ they sang. “Did you feel that love outpouring God’s desire? ...It’s the love of God that sets our hearts afire…”

Zeal; passion; inspiration; hope: do these words still apply to Christ’s followers today? That burning, yearning desire to walk in His way may become most apparent as Catholic Christians experience the sacraments of First Holy Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, or a priest’s acceptance of the call to Holy Orders.

Although Christ no longer walks upon the earth, his presence is made visible in the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of Christ, and through his works and words shining through his people, his disciples in every age. The Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement hopes to help enflame the world for Jesus, one couple at a time.

“Carry your candle, run to the darkness. Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn. Hold out your candle for all to see it. Take your candle and go light your world,” proclaimed the lyrics of a popular song ”Light Your World.” This was but one of the many songs that wove the convention together.

Throughout the weekend experience, married couples and priests served as presenters to help fan the fires of unconditional love and mission within the hearts of the participants.

In his Friday evening talk, “The Lighting of the Fire,” Fr. Jim Shaughnessey spoke of being able to see things much more clearly when he finally got new glasses. For him, he said, the Marriage Encounter Weekend was even more powerful than his new glasses, as it helped him focus more clearly on making God’s word come alive in his life. Like those on the road to Emmaus, we are all on a journey, he said, but that journey would be hopeless without the presence of Christ. Our hearts come afire only when we recognize that Jesus himself is in our midst.

Saturday presentations reinforced the weekend theme. A time of early-morning reflection allowed participants to be open and ready to hear what God was speaking to their hearts. Serving as convention emcee, Fr. Kevin Weber of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, Hays, said, “The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.”

The Section 9 Leadership couple from Colorado, Tom & Katie Watson, echoed that sentiment as they spoke to the Marriage Encounter “lovers.” We have all been working hard to renew hearts and to bring people to the kingdom, Katie noted, “We are the Church. We are His body.”

“We are privileged to be His servant leadership,” Tom added. “We want to renew the Church and change the world. We create our tomorrows by what we dream today. Dream lovers, dream big! Share that (fire) with the rest of the world.”

In the first Saturday presentation, Paul & Cathy Kiefer of Overland Park and Fr. John Reynolds of Nortonville spoke to the theme “Building the Fire in Our Relationships.” They spoke of their first passion for God in their marriage and in ordained life. Candidly, they spoke, too, of disillusionment and “routine” that drew them away from the fire of God’s love. Their Marriage Encounter Weekends rekindled that fire, they said. But, like any fire, they noted, they still needed new fuel to “keep that fire burning.” They had to make the choice to continue their techniques of daily dialogue they had learned on their Marriage Encounter Weekend.

“Even if our initial dialogue is neutral, it can often lead to a deep sharing of emotions,” Cathy explained. “Even when I try to just answer the question in a superficial way, I often end up going deep,” Paul added. That deep sharing of themselves has led to incredible personal growth in their faith, they noted. “Our sacrament requires us to be radical,” Paul reflected. “We cannot love (God) unless we are in relationship with one another.”

A second Saturday presentation featured Fr. Mike Stubbs, Lansing, and John & Andrea Zody, Ellis. They offered practical advice on “Stoking the Fire Through Community and Journeying Together.” On their Weekend, John noted, “We had found a piece of heaven… The caterpillar of marriage could turn into a beautiful butterfly and take flight.”

Their renewed belief in the sanctity and value of marriage seemed sufficient for a short time, but they quickly learned the value of becoming active in small communities of local Marriage Encounter sharing groups.

“Within the Share group assembly,” she said, “there’s no need to defend the importance of married life.” Even in a society that devalues marriage, there is a feeling of strength that comes through participation in that type of group. “Being in a Share group is a means of fanning the embers to keep the fire in our relationship burning,” John noted. “I didn’t realize how nourishing a sharing group could be, providing that extra “push” to keep ourselves on track,” Fr. Mike added. “We must keep inviting others (to experience Marriage Encounter)—they can enrich our lives so much!”

A third Saturday presentation involved Fr. David Metz, Wilson, and Paul & Julie Kuestersteffan, Topeka. They touched on ways to build “The Roaring Fire—Renewal in the Church.” They elaborated on the four marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, as expressed in the Nicene Creed and on how those beliefs impact on marriage and community.

Being “one” speaks of unity, a tapestry interwoven with people of many different cultures and backgrounds, about our one faith in God. It is in holiness, they noted, where the spirit flourishes. “As I drift apart from God, I (also) drift apart from Julie,” Paul noted. As Catholics, Fr. David said, “we are all called to profess our faith and put it into practice every day…to share that love as an example for all to see.” On becoming apostolic, Paul added, “We are called to follow (the apostles’) example. Our fruitfulness depends on our vital union with Christ for shining god’s love onto others.”

Drawing the convention to a close on Sunday, keynote speaker Fr. Bill Bruning, Topeka, challenged the assembly to remember God’s extreme sacrifice when he allowed his own son to die for the lives of all. “Father in heaven,” he declared, “now I know how much you love me, that you did not withhold your only son…to ransom a slave. This is the flame of faith that no other religion can boast of—God is madly in love with you! It’s a pure gift, like bringing a gift to your spouse. You expect nothing back.”

Speaking of the three levels of love—eros, philos, and agape love, he noted, “It’s a lifelong goal to get to agape… You as couples have a task, a goal, to get one another to heaven by experiencing God’s love... Keep the faith by coming to the Eucharist. You can’t give Christ unless you receive Christ.” Referring to the famous line in the movie “Jerry McGuire,” Fr. Bill said, “Your spouse does not complete you. The gift is your spouse; but the only one who completes you is the giver of the gift, who is God.”

With these words still ringing in their ears, ME convention participants concluded their weekend with Mass, celebrated by Kansas City diocese Archbishop Joseph P. Naumann and priests across Section 9. The words of the closing song, “Go Make a Difference,” seemed to tie it all together. “We are the salt of the earth…We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need, the face of God for all to see…So let our love shine on, let it shine for all to see. Go make a difference in the world...”

Group Photo

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