Marriage Enrichment
| 
National Marriage Encounter
A Marriage Encounter weekend is an invitation for married couples to discover themselves more fully in an accepting and loving atmosphere. During the weekend they examine their relationship to each other, their family, God and society. The emphasis is on open and honest communication, but communication with a special zest and life which leads to a growing awareness of the strength, beauty and uniqueness of themselves and their marriage. It is a strictly private weekend between husband and wife. It is not a group therapy or sharing. There is no marriage counseling. It is not sensitivity training.
An encounter is for married couples of all ages and religious faiths. The weekend provides couples the opportunity to explore the meaning of their lives and relationship with God, but it is not intended to strengthen any one particular faith. It is for any couple who desires a better marriage. For more information, contact:
National Marriage Encounter
320-252-3220
home.att.net/~StCloudMENatural Family Planning
Modern Natural Family Planning is being successfully used worldwide.
Instructors in the Diocese of St. Cloud are certified to teach the Billings Ovulation Method and the Sympto-Thermal Method. Classes are held in hospitals, clinics and homes for any couple wishing to learn a natural method of child spacing.
NFP helps couples to be more aware of their combined fertility, opens new avenues of communication and adds an enriching dimension to marriage. Couples who wish to achieve or avoid pregnancy, those who are breast-feeding and those discontinuing contraceptive family planning are given personal attention through the classes and individual consultation.
Statistics from the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services show a method effectiveness of 98% for modern NFP. To contact a certified NFP instructor in your area, call or write:
Office of Marriage & Family
305 7th Ave N, Suite 100
Saint Cloud, MN 56303-3631
320-252-4721
800-624-9019Refoccus
REFOCCUS is a packet of five exercises that a married couple can use by themselves. The title "REFOCCUS" stands for Relationship Enrichment Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study. Each of the five exercises focuses on a different area: Marriage As A Process, Intimacy, Compatibility, Communication and Commitment.
Each exercise contains a series of statements which each partner answers separately. The couple self-scores the exercise to get a profile of their current strengths and weaknesses. There are in-depth questions for each statement which provides direction for the couple to discuss, and builds their relationship. Reading material is provided which gives insight on an overall approach to study, discussion, and understanding.
REFOCCUS order forms are available or you may purchase REFOCCUS for $13.50 per couple packet by contacting the OMF office.
Retrouvaille - A Ministry for Hurting Marriages
The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience with six follow-up sessions. Couples from all ages and backgrounds come to Retrouvaille. Some are separated or divorced, but want to try again. Many have struggled to stay together, sometimes with outside help, but more often not knowing where to turn. What all these couples have in common is a sincere desire to build a stable relationship.
It is designed to assist in relationship building rather than problem solving. The main emphasis of the program is on communication between husband and wife. It gives couples the opportunity to rediscover each other and to examine their lives together in a new and positive way.
The program helps husbands and wives communicate and gain awareness of themselves as individuals and their relationship. The post-weekend phase is as crucial to a troubled marriage as the initial weekend experience. For more information call:
Jerry & Carol Jansen
2508 14th St S
Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4850
320-255-5314
888-255-5314Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends are presented for couples that wish to revitalize their Sacrament of Matrimony.
The joy of the weekend comes alive as couples rediscover themselves and each other through open, honest and loving communication. These skills can be used throughout their married lives. Freshness and excitement are rekindled as couples share the weekend away from the distractions and stress of today's world.
Married couples of all faiths and ages, as well as priests and religious wishing to enhance their own sacraments, are welcomed on the weekend. Presentations are given in a group setting by Catholic couples and a priest, but couples share in the privacy of their own rooms (no group sharing).
Post-weekend participants can meet to affirm and encourage continued growth in their vocations and to support Christian family values. Contact:
888-455-3496
www.WWME.org