"The most frequently mentioned place where lay people encounter Christ is in Christian marriage and family life. We believe that Christian marriage is vocation, sacrament, covenant relationship, and mission.  In the sacrament of marriage Christ is made present in a special way to spouses, family members and the overall society." (Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, 1995)

The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops has undertaken a National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage. An exciting part of this initiative is a national media campaign to lift up marriage and direct people to this special marriage website. The Catholic Church has long been a leader in supporting marriage and now we’d like to share with others what we’ve learned. As marriage preparation pioneers and founders of the Marriage Encounter Movements, Retrouvaille, The Third Option, etc. the Catholic Church has much to share - not just for Catholics but for all who hunger for a satisfying marriage.

Whether married one year or fifty-one years, life-long marriages don’t just happen. They need to be nurtured and cared for, as adjustments are made for life-cycle changes. A video/DVD or book can spark new conversations or reaffirm forgotten ideas. Sharing with other married couples can support your commitment when the world seems to be working against you.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Mothers in Love + Fathers in Love = Families in Love! Give your kids the best gift they can get -- Parents with a GREAT marriage!  Sign up today to attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend.  The next scheduled weekend is February 12-14, 2010 at the BroomTree Retreat and Conference Centerin Irene, SD.  For more information or to register, please contact Curt & Rochelle Lauret at 605-362-9145 or visit www.wwme.org