Marriage Encounter enhances relationships, builds communication

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Feb. 7, 2008

This year the World Wide Marriage Encounter celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Vera Ludwig, interim director of the Office of Adult and Family Ministries for the Diocese of Sioux City, pointed out that while the Diocese of Sioux City does not provide this ministry neighboring dioceses do offer Marriage Encounter Weekends and there are several from the diocese who have attended the weekends.

"We have people from our diocese who help with the weekends and we also have dialogue groups - because people had been involved in Marriage Encounter when it was active in our diocese. They still have groups and stay active," she said.

Rose Behrens of Roselle attended a Marriage Encounter weekend in 2001 in Des Moines. She and her husband, Art, continue to be involved with the ministry.

"My sister had gone on a weekend and she said we would enjoy it," she said. "It was such a good experience for us that we started helping in little ways and saw what a gift it is - the giver always gets more than the receiver. We have had many rewards by getting involved and staying involved."

Couples who attend the weekend, noted Behrens, acquire skills to enhance communication. The experience also instills the significance of the sacrament of marriage.

Along with the benefits they received by participating in the weekend, she said they now use the volunteering as an opportunity to do something together.

"At times it gets to be quite a commitment because we drive to Des Moines for meetings," she noted, but because they see such value in it, they continue.

Father Brian Danner, pastor at St. Malachy Church in Madrid and St. John in Ogden, attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend in Ames as a participant about two years ago to observe the value of the ministry first-hand.

"I think it was a good experience for those who attended," he said. "It allowed them time to slow down and focus on their relationship to each other and examine where they have been and where they would like to go in their relationship to each other."

Dan and Donna McCarty of Hartley attended a Marriage Encounter in 1981 when it was offered here in the diocese. After attending the weekend, they eventually joined an IMAGE group made up of couples who had gone to a Marriage Encounter. More than 25 years later, they are still part of that group that meets monthly. The group also welcomes couples who have participated in Engaged Enrichment.

One of the greatest values in attending the weekend, they noted, is the increased communication.

"We have kept it up because you have to work at your marriage," noted Dan. "It's not always easy."

As they meet with other couples, added Donna, they discover that they are not alone.

"Everyone has some of the same ups and downs. You work through them," she said. "In our group there are different ages and people have been married different lengths of time. It's helpful to see someone older who has been through it and now we can see how far we've come with younger ones in the group."

They would recommend Marriage Encounter to any couple who wants to enrich their marriage.

If couples from the Diocese of Sioux City wish to attend a Marriage Encounter, The Office of Adult and Family Ministries has $25 off coupons available. The next Marriage Encounter is slated for May 30-June 1 in Ames. For more information check out www. me.org.