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Is your marriage tearing you apart?
I once read a stark statement: "Divorce breeds divorce." What does that say to you? I have found that more and more people look at marriage as ‘semi' permanent. If it doesn't work out I can always get a divorce. In fact, the expressions "he or she will a good first /husband/wife" and "trial marriage" are being used in some circles and professions. When our society takes this view divorce becomes way too commonplace in thought. How can a Catholic look at Marriage as Sacrament in light of such conversation? Are we as Catholics defending marriage as sacrament, being the role models we should be in our own marriage and family? Are we helping those struggling in married relationship with good counsel or suggestions of where to look for help?
Perhaps it is easier to say it is not my business. But whose business is it to be supportive? If no one speaks out in defense of marriage, when troubles strike-and troubles strike all marriages, oftentimes divorce becomes the first option instead of renegotiating and recommitting to the marriage. Instead of looking at the problem with an attitude that I/we can get through this, we throw away the marriage and look elsewhere for satisfaction. But when this occurs the troubles and issues are still there, unaddressed and compounded by the heavy pain of divorce for self, spouse, children, and extended family.
One option to offer hurting marriages is Retrouvaille, the Christian peer ministry program for couples in hurting marriages. The Diocese of Bismarck, Office of Family Ministry, will sponsor the national Retrouvaille Program Weekend Event with ongoing aftercare support here in Bismarck.
The Retrouvaille program consists of a weekend experience and a series of After Care sessions offered within the three months following the weekend phase. Currently, married couples in a hurting relationship have to travel to the Twin Cities for this lifeline for troubled marriages.
What are the goals of the Retrouvaille weekend? -Promote personal and couple healing;-Provide an environment for spiritual growth; Create an empowering environment;-Teach the technique of dialogue; Affirm the couples and help build their confidence;-Help couples to incorporate the values of Retrouvaille into their married relationship.
Someone once said "marriage may be made in heaven, but they sure take a lot of work on earth." In our society, with the pressures of conflicting demands and too little time, personal relationships are often taken for granted. With all the distractions, we easily forget that strong, caring, loving relationships take work.
Without attention and care, marriages wither. Couples slowly and quietly drift apart or are being torn apart by terrible words and actions. Many are married in name only, or just stay together "for the sake of the kids." For many, it has been ages since they knew the joy of a loving relationship. When infidelity, alcohol abuse, or drug dependency is involved, the situation may seem even more hopeless.
Retrouvaille is helping couples put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. Retrouvaille is a French word meaning "rediscovery". If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if you are considering separation or divorce, I believe Retrouvaille can help you. It is for all ages of couples and people come from many walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. Some have already separated or divorced, but want to try again. Many are struggling to stay together. What all these couples have in common is a sincere desire to build a stable, loving marriage.
Retrouvaille is Catholic in origin and orientation, but is open to all married couples regardless of religious backgrounds. For information on this weekend call Joyce at Office of Family Ministry, 701-222-3035, toll free 1-877-405-7435.
Registration is limited and only accepted through an interview process which is strictly confidential.
This registration form makes it easy to register. Please complete it and send to the Office of Family Ministry, Diocese of Bismarck, PO Box 1137, 520 North Raymond Street, Bismarck, ND 58502.
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The official site of the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota
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