Last Sunday evening I had the honor of hosting eleven
couples from our parish at my house.
The purpose was to watch a section of a well-known marriage enrichment
program Love and Respect by Dr.
Emerson Eggerichs (say that ten times fast!). We gathered for fellowship, viewing part of a DVD session
and having open conversation about the presentation. It was an edifying evening for all.
Dr.
Eggerichs most basic point comes from Ephesians 5:33: “…let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
In his
humorous presentation he argued that men and women, created differently by God,
have specific filters in their senses and communication based on being either
male or female. One is not better
than the other, but he maintains that men and women process things in very
different ways. Knowing this can
enrich a marriage.
This was
only my second exposure to the Love and
Respect program, and I am impressed.
It was telling to hear the laughs and groans of the couples watching the
presentation in my living room, affirming exactly what he was saying!
This
weekend I want you all to know how important marriage and family enrichment is
for our parishes. It is ministry
that is dear to my heart, as could be said for the Catholic Church as a
whole. Families are the building
blocks of society. Healthy and
holy marriages found such families.
As marriages go, so goes a society.
I am
grateful to Anthony and Theresa Stone for organizing this particular marriage
enrichment program. Thanks also to
the couples that took part in this introduction to Love and Respect. It
looks like we will be continuing to the series and I hope many more couples may
attend. More than this, we will be
striving to provide several opportunities to help you grow in your
marriage. Keep your eyes and ears
open and take advantage of these!
Know of
my gratitude and prayers for you married couples. If I can be of any assistance to your marriage and family,
don’t hesitate to ask!
God Bless!
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