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eMatrimony Newsletter
Supporting, Encouraging and Challenging the WWME Community |
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eMatrimony News
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Late Fall 2014
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Hello dear lovers,
Five years ago this month we began our journey as eMatrimony newsletter editors. We have thoroughly enjoyed the experience! But as with all things it is time to step down and follow God's will in a different direction. This will be our last edition of eMatrimony as your editors. We want to thank you all for your response, love and appreciation over these past five years. It has been a wonderful ride for us and know that we are not getting off the road just passing the reigns to someone else!
In this issue, Doriano & Patricia Baisi, Canadian editors for eMatrimony, share their reflections from the North American Marriage Encounter Convention in Houston this summer. They interviewed several couples and have a nice synopsis of the convention.
We'd like to ask you to take a few minutes to fill out a survey about eMatrimony - let us know what direction you'd like to see it go.
Another beloved WWME priest has returned to our Lord - Fr. Charlie Coulter. Please read the letter from the Boylans and also take a look at the obituaries of this wondeful priest.
Don't forget to publicize the Longest Married Couple in Canada, and the search for the US Longest Married Couple for 2015.
Wishing you all a blessed Advent and Christmas season!
eMatrimony editors
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A Passionate Report from Pasadena, Texas
Doriano and Patricia Baisi
Wow! We've returned from the North American WWME Convention 2014 with a new appreciation of Passion. We explored the meaning of passion for God, the Church, our friends and family, our spouse and for life!
We began the weekend on Friday night with a presentation by Fr. Tom Vanderberg from Federal Way, Washington.
Saturday began with Mass followed by three inspiring presentations on passion presented by an English couple, a Hispanic couple, and a Korean couple.
In between there were breaks to visit, shop, and bid on the items in the silent auction.
Saturday evening we were treated to a presentation of horsemanship, music, and line dancing at the outdoor arena attached to the convention grounds.
What an amazing weekend. Although, we must admit the most moving moments for us were on Sunday morning with a presentation by the whole Valenzuela family.
This was followed by a play put on by couples' children who were registered in the youth program. Without words, it expressed all the temptations the devil puts in front of our children and how God walks with them -- all they have to do is reach out to Him.
Our brief description does not do justice to the live performance, but we're hoping you can imagine the impact it had on the couples gathered there.
We played at being a reporter during the breaks. We attempted to capture and to convey the excitement, inspiration, and love of the weekend to those of you who could not join us and - perhaps, maybe challenge you to plan to attend the next WWME Convention in 2016 in Tampa, Florida.
 We approached couples from all over North America and beyond to get their responses. Most of them mentioned the exciting and inspiring presentations.
To read more, click here.
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 From ScottandKaren Seaborn and Fr. Tom Ogg, North American Secretariat Ecclesial Team
Dear lovers near and far,
This past Thursday, we in the U.S., celebrated Thanksgiving Day, and Canada celebrated their Thanksgiving Day last month on October 14. As we have reflected on all that we have for which to be thankful, we would like to share with you some of the beautiful gifts WWME is receiving.
We begin by taking a moment to honor Joe and Linda Oppelt for
 so generously sharing their gifts producing, editing and publishing eMatrimony these past five years! We know that this has not always been an easy journey for them. WWME couples and priests have so much on their plates! And all too often sending articles to Joe and Linda to publish in eMatrimony has not been on the top of our lists. Still, Joe and Linda have made this happen! They have written their own articles, formatted articles sent to them by other WWME couples and priests, and shared relevant and meaningful articles they have found that have touched them personally. And each time an eMatrimony came out, it was professionally done, and most of all, produced with love. And in the midst of all of this, Linda has returned to school and will earn her Master's Degree in Theology next year! How exciting for Linda, for our movement and for our Church! Joe and Linda, we are so very thankful for your untiring dedication to our movement and our Church, and particularly for the time and energy you have so lovingly given to eMatrimony! May you be blessed as abundantly as you have blessed us all!
We are also thankful for ever increasing opportunities for WWMEto become more visible in our Church and our world! This past October, three WWME couples and our own Fr. Tom Ogg traveled to Birmingham, AL where WWME will be featured on two episodes of EWTN's program "The Church Universal"! 
We do not yet have the exact dates these episodes will be aired, but we have been told by the producers that it will be sometime this Spring. As soon as we have confirmed dates, we will inform all area and section leaders so that all can be made aware. You might consider recording these shows and perhaps sharing them at circle or community gatherings, and as an inviting activity. We are thankful for increasing opportunities WWME is being offered to enter into conversation with our larger Church. It is with great excitement that we share with you that WWME will be well represented next month when the Pontifical Council for the Family is hosting a Conference January 22 - 24 in Rome regarding the "Pastoral Challenges for the Family in the context of Evangelization". WWME will join representatives from other groups and associations dedicated to the pastoral care of marriage, the family and human life, along with Bishops from around the world to reflect on the recent Extraordinary Synod held this past October. All six WWME secretariat ecclesial teams have been invited, as well as our International Ecclesial Team, Daniel and Shelley Ee. It is exciting to know that WWME will have a substantial voice in this important conversation. Finally, we are thankful for each of you, our WWME missionaries throughout North America. We are grateful to each of you for continually striving to live our vision to love one another as Christ loves us, our charism of "faith through relationship", and our values as presented on our WWME weekend. As we await the celebration of the Incarnation, we are acutely aware that even during this time of waiting, we see Christ present and live in your relationships. How blessed are we all to be a sign of Christ alive in our world! With much love, ScottandKaren & Fr. Tom North American Secretariat Ecclesial Team Worldwide Marriage Encounter |
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sMatrimony Survey
We would like your help! We want to take this time to assess the value of eMatrimony as a communication tool for Worldwide Marriage Encounter. eMatrimony is our free online journal. It reports news from all Sections and Districts from around North America. We hope that this survey will help to direct our ministry within Worldwide Marriage Encounter.
We look forward to learning more about our audience. Please be assured that all information will be treated with the strictest confidence. It will only take about 10 minutes to finish.
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(left to right) Fr. Charlie Coulter with Mary Anne & Bill Boylan
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Letter from
Bill and Mary Anne Boylan
Dear Ones,
Today, August 11, 2014 is Fr. Charlie Coulter's Mass of the Resurrection. While we are joyful that our precious ecclesial team-mate is not suffering anymore, we sure will miss this delightful Irish priest. In 1992 we were chosen as the United States Secretariat Team. I say it was a "blind date that took". You see we're in Section 3 and Charlie lived in Section 12. But when Charlie spoke, we beamed. He sounded just like Bill's Irish Mother. In 1995 we were discerned as the International Team for WWME. At the same time, Charlie was called back to Ireland by his Columban Father's Community. His task was to fundraise and over-see the building of an Infirmary for the Columban priests returning from the Missions who needed special care. And it was in that very Infirmary that he helped have built that Charlie went home to God. We are very sure Charlie's Irish eyes are really smiling. Charlie, all your Marriage Encounter Family thanks you for the memories. With love and care, Bill and Mary Anne Boylan
Obituaries of Fr. Charlie Coulter (click on titles to go to links):
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Father Chuck Gallagher S.J. Legacy Fund
A huge announcement at the WWME Convention 2014 was the establishment of the Fr. Chuck Gallagher S.J. Legacy Fund. This fund is being established to assist with the financial burden of training teams and other leadership positions. It will allow couples to participate at all levels of leadership without enduring additional financial hardship.
On your weekend, you were given the special gift of communication that allows you to have an intimate, passionate relationship with each other. The Legacy Fund will allow us to reach out to even more couples and inspire them to rediscover the love that brought them together.
We know that you will want to step forward to help promote WWME. Listed below are the addresses for where to send your cheques. Your donations are tax deductible, but we will need your full name, address, phone, and email address in order to process the tax receipt. In advance, we want to thank you for your generosity.
Cheques (checks) should be made payable to:
"WWME Fr. Chuck Gallagher, S.J. Legacy Fund"
Please include name, full address, phone and email address in the envelope with the cheque/check.
In the U.S. mail to:
520 Park Street,
Sheridan, WY 82801
In Canada mail to:
485 Glenbrook Drive,
New Westminster, BC V3L 5K2
Here is a link to the official press release announcing the new fund.
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Fifth Annual Search Begins for Longest Married Couples in United States
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Oct. 7, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- The fifth annual search for the longest married couple in the United States begins on Friday, October 10, 2014, it was announced today by Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME), the original faith-based marriage enrichment program in this country.This marks the project's fifth consecutive year for the highly acclaimed activity recognizing couples for their long marriages. In 2011 Marshall & Winnie Kuykendall from Lordsburg, New Mexico were honored for 82 years of marriage, while in 2012 Wilbur & Theresa Faiss of Las Vegas, Nevada were honored for 78 years of marriage. In 2013 John & Ann Betar of Fairfield, CT were honored for 80 years of marriage. This year Harold & Edna Owings of Burbank, CA were recognized for their 82 years of marriage. There are also state winners recognized at the same time each year for their longest marriages. There have been over 1200 couples nominated for the honors during the last four years. Winners are selected solely from nominations submitted."Once again we want to honor the longest married couple in the United States, as well as in each of the 50 states and territories. The national winners will be recognized during Valentine's Week 2015, which coincides with World Marriage Day, which is the second Sunday of February," explained Dick & Diane Baumbach and Fr. Dick Morse, the coordinators for the special project.An Alumni Group was established for previous national and state winners. Previous state winners can vie for the national title, but they also are now considered members of the alumni of longest married couples in their individual states. This allows for new couples to be recognized for both state and national recognition. "What a joy and inspiration it is to recognize a husband and wife who have been married for many, many years," the coordinators explained.In addition to the longest married couple for the entire United States, recognition will also be given to a couple from each state and territories who has achieved that distinction. In the case of the United States couple, appropriate gifts will be presented to them by Ron & Judy Pekny and Fr. Rocky Grimard, the WWME national leadership team, at a ceremony to be held at the winner's location during Valentine's week. The state winners will also receive personal recognition and a special certificate of achievement from the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement.Nominations, which are open to all husband and wife couples regardless of religious affiliation, may be submitted by email, regular mail or by calling a special phone number.The contact information for sending in a nomination, which simply requires the name of the couple, their wedding date and where they currently reside - plus a contact phone or email address of the individual nominating the couple, is as follows:
OR regular mail:
Dick & Diane Baumbach
8924 Puerto Del Rio Drive Suite 402,
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920,
OR special phone number 321-613-5180.
Nominations must be received by January 10th, 2015.
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Canada's Longest Married Couple Announced
On November 17, 2014, Clem and Millie Mintz, a couple from Parry Sound, Ontario celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary, and were honored as Canada's longest married couple.
Some of the media covered the event:
Canada's longest marriage: Clem and Millie Mintz celebrate 80 years
Parry Sound couple celebrates Canada's longest marriage
When you ask Clem what he thinks of his long marriage, he says, "Some people say golf or baseball is the best thing in their life, mine is my marriage. We are buddies, friends. We are together all the time. I don't go any place that Millie can't go."
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Marriage & Family in the Church:
2014-2015 Synods Of Bishops On The Family
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website:
"On October 8, 2013, Pope Francis announced that in October 2014 there would be an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on topics related to the family and evangelization. Subsequent communications made clear that the Extraordinary General Assembly would be followed by an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2015, on the same topics."
One excellent article offered by a WWME couple - Rubén & Martha Luján, recently appeared in America Magazine:
Encountering Christ - One Couple's Journey in Faith
One quote from the article:
"One gap in the church's support for Catholic couples is the lack of "couple-saints" who could serve as role models for married life. In the mid-70s, Rubén and I were invited to join other Spanish-speaking couples at the house of the Oblates of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That is where we met the founder of Marriage Encounter, the Rev. Gabriel Calvo, who is from Spain. Father Calvo told us that early on he had a dream that at least one contemporary married couple be canonized to give us a holy example for young people thinking about marriage."
World Meeting of Families
Held every three years and sponsored by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family, the World Meeting of Families is the world's largest Catholic gathering of families.
Each World Meeting of Families has a theme that energizes and enlivens the event while adding great depth of meaning to our understanding of families. The theme of the World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 is "Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive," emphasizing the impact of the love and life of families on our society. Registration is open for this historic meeting in which our holy father, Pope Francis, will make his first visit to the United States.
Humanum Colloquium
In late November, the Vatican held a conference titled: "The Complementarity of Man and Woman: An International Colloquium". This conference included a variety of speakers from all faiths, including Rev. Dr. Rick Warren, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, and Dr. Russell D. Moore to name just a few. The stated purpose of the conference, according to the website, is "to examine and propose anew the beauty of the relationship between the man and the woman, in order to support and reinvigorate marriage and family life for the flourishing of human society."
There are a series of videos that were produced in conjunction with the colloquium.
WATCH: THE COMPLETE HUMANUM VIDEO SERIES
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WWME Mediterranean Cruise
Eastern Mediterranean WWME cruise in April!
Including pre-cruise packages for both Venice and Rome. The first part of the group will arrive in Venice on Good Friday and will spend two days touring the city including attending Easter morning mass at St. Marks Basilica, in the heart of the city. After the Easter Sunday Mass, those who started in Venice will then travel via train to Rome arriving mid-afternoon. The remainder of our group will be joining us over the course of the next two days in Rome. While in Rome we will be touring some of the sacred sites in the city including St. John Lateran Basilica and the adjoining Scala Sancti which is said to be the stairs that Jesus walked when he was judged by Pilate, the Basilica of St. Mary Major which holds relics including the Holy Crib and a piece of the True Cross, as well as spending a day touring the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. We are also hoping to attend a Papal Audience subject to the Pope's schedule.
On Wednesday we will depart Rome to board our cruise ship, the Norwegian Jade, to begin a 10 night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean including stops in Olympia, Greece ancient home of the Olympic Games, Athens, and Istanbul. We will also make a stop in Ephesus where we will attend a Mass at the Shrine of the Virgin Mary which is said to be the home Mary lived in after Jesus' crucifixion before touring the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Our last stop will be in Naples, Italy where we will take a tour to both the scenic Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Pompeii.
We also have two WWME priests joining us on the cruise who will offer daily Mass and insights into all of the places we will be travelling to. We currently have approximately 30 cabins booked on the cruise.
There are still cabins available for the cruise and group pricing is still available. For anyone interested in more information or to book a cabin, please contact Rachelle Everts at 877-283-1114 ext. 7025.
If you would like any further information please let us know.
Thanks!
Jeff and Rachelle Everts
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World Priest Day/
Priesthood Sunday
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| Contact Information | | eMatrimony Editors
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