Marriage Encounter enriches marriages

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 23, 2006

Although the Diocese of Sioux City does not directly host Marriage Encounters, there are several couples here that have participated in the weekends in neighboring dioceses. Some believe in the experience so strongly, that they have stayed involved in the ministry and now are leaders.

The experience is designed to make good marriages even better.

"We have been able to do a lot of inviting in the Sioux City Diocese," noted Rose Behrens of Carroll. "We have had the support of several priests and there are a couple of 'encountered' priests that have made a weekend as well as many couples."

She pointed out that they went to a weekend after her sister, who lives in Ames, made a weekend and suggested that they attend.

"A lot of people get involved in Marriage Encounters through personal invitations," said Rose, who with her husband, serves as the executive couple of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter for the Des Moines Diocese. "It is the best thing we have ever done. It has been just wonderful."

Another 'encountered' couple living in the Diocese of Sioux City is Lisa and Steve Wozniak of Rockwell City. She pointed out that they went on a weekend in 1997 after four years of marriage. They were living in the Chicago area at the time.

"We moved out here in 2001 and wanted to stay involved in it," noted Lisa.

The Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends start at 8 p.m. on Friday and conclude Sunday afternoon. Presenters consist of three couples and a priest.

Rose explained that in Iowa, most of the Marriage Encounter weekends are held at a motel with a conference room. That way they can come together for presentations and the couples have privacy to go to their own space for reflection, discussion and to work alone on the various topics addressed by the presenters.

The Wozniaks are part of a presenting team at weekends and have done so since 1998. Lisa said this involvement is a blessing because as they present the weekend, they also experience the weekend with the other couples.

"In today's world, we get so involved with things we have to do that we can lose track of each other as a married couple," said Lisa. "If you don't have time to focus on your relationship, other things can get in the way."

While various topics are addressed, Behrens noted that much of the weekend centers on improving communication. The weekend also discusses the sacredness of the sacrament of marriage.

Rose said it has improved communication in their marriage and has helped them to grow as a couple and in their spiritual life.

Mass is available during the weekend and reconciliation is offered on most of the encounters.

The women mentioned that part of the success of the Marriage Encounter ministry is the follow-up gatherings in faith communities. Most of these communities meet monthly or every six weeks.

"We try to have couples that make a weekend participate in the community meetings. It offers ongoing support for marriages - giving them a chance to be around positive couples, in a supportive environment," noted Rose.

In the diocese, a community meets in Rockwell City on a regular basis. Another group meets in Ames and a couple communities meet in Des Moines. Couples who take part in an encounter are welcome to attend any of these meetings.

The Wozniaks encouraged people from the diocese to attend an encounter in the Des Moines Diocese and now they have enough couples to hold ongoing meetings.

Lisa noted that these meetings continue to enrich their marriages because the couples can talk about various issues and build stronger bonds.

"We would like for there to be more 'encountered' couples in the Carroll area and then we would like to start a community meeting here," noted Rose.

Upcoming weekends include March 31 to April 2 in Ames (may be full), June 2-4 in Dubuque and Oct. 13-15 in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Contact John and Deb Seeman at (641) 755-3667 for more information or e-mail jdcman88@netins.net. They are working to bring a Spanish-language weekend to Iowa.

It is open to couples of all faiths.

Both of these women would love to see Marriage Encounters offered in the Diocese of Sioux City.

"Encountered couples usually have stronger families and are more involved in the church, supporting activities within a parish," said Rose. "Many say it brings a lot of life into the parishes. Encountered couples are active."

In addition to Marriage Encounters, other neighboring dioceses also offer a weekend for troubled marriages - Retrovaille. There is one of these weekends set for Sept. 9 in Marshalltown. Contact George and Dee Crum at (641) 479-2650.

If people are interested in checking out more information about the Worldwide Marriage Encounter - they can check out www.wwme.org.