Marriage Encounter #22

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” John 2:1-3

Marriage requires time and attention. “No couple does this perfectly, and everyone needs help when love feels strained and the going gets tough. All marriages can grow in knowledge, faith, joy, and love.” - https://www.foryourmarriage.org

Marriage is a journey. “As for our marriage, the journey continues even now and into the future. New wounds from our past and new ways to grow and love each other are regularly discovered, presented, accepted, and worked through together. What we thought we’ve already dealt with in our marriage sometimes resurfaces, revealing a totally new facet. It’s become almost rhythmic, this new uncovering of ever-deeper layers in our souls that Jesus wants
to work on.” (Sri, Edward and Beth, “The Good, The Messy, and The Beautiful.” Ascension, 2022.)

Marriage is God’s gift to families and the world. “The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family” (Gaudium et Spes, no. 48)

The Encounter presented by BLD Washington is open to couples married sacramentally in the Catholic Church. The Marriage Encounter is an invaluable
experience of renewing marital relationships and oneness.

“When Christian couples receive the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony, Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their crosses and so follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another‘s burdens, to be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ, and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love.” (USCCB, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan, p. 32-33.)

• Stronger foundation for your future together
• Privacy during conversations and reflections
• Rediscover each other
• Confidentiality
• No group discussion
• No counseling/therapy
• No judgements

The Weekend atmosphere is created for you and your spouse to focus on each other. A series of talks are given by a team of trained couples and Priest. Each talk gives a husband and wife the opportunity to look at themselves as individuals and to look at their relationship with each other, with God, and with others. Marriage Encounter starts with the love you have for your spouse and helps you to build, expand, and deepen that relationship. The  Weekend shows you the way to do this and provides you with the means – the rest is up to you!

An “ecclesial team” trained and prepared for ministering the Encounter process conducts the Weekend: a “Team Priest” and at least two “Team Couples” who manage together its instructional and experiential components.

Fr. Erdman B. Pandero, PhD
Marriage Encounter Weekend Spiritual Director
Fr. Pandero is a Roman Catholic Priest from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 8, 2011. He graduated from Xavier University with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (2001). He has a graduate degree in Pastoral Ministry at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary (2010) and Doctor of Ministry in Intercultural Ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (2017). He is enrolled currently in the Catholic University of America for his second post graduate program (PhD) in Biblical Studies.

For more information, contact:
Geoff and Chat Ampoyo
Marriage Encounter Weekend Coordinators
(571) 245-1958