Dimapur, May 4 (EMN) : A motivational event for married people called the “marriage enrichment retreat I and II” was conducted at Don Bosco College in Kohima town from April 28 to the 30th.
According to a press release from Brother Marcus Mengukhrietuo, State Coordinator of CFC, the Marriage Enrichment Retreat is part of a program of ‘Couples for Christ.’ It was in response to the need for better understanding and appreciation of God’s plan for marriage and family life, it stated.
According to the updates, for couples to discover more clearly and intimately God’s plan, there is a need to spend time in an atmosphere where God’s word can be studied, understood and meditated on; where couples can have an opportunity to come before the Lord and present themselves as a living oblation. A time is needed where couples can take stock and assess themselves, their relationship, their family life and their role within the context of God’s plan. Couples need time to know God’s vision and take practical steps in order to attain the goal God is calling them to.
It is also to provide the couple participants with an effective environment of prayer, learning and Christian fellowship, in which they can begin working on their marriage relationship together so that it may be founded more solidly on Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are various elements in the MER working together in order to provide the couple participants with an overall environment that is conducive to learning about and living out God’s plan and call to them, the note stated.
According to the press release, the elements are:
Prayer: Being a retreat, the schedule provides adequate time for both personal and communal prayer. Prayer is an effective way of discovering God’s call and responding to that call with faith and humility.
Teachings: The MER has seven talks which examine important areas of Christian marriage and family life. The talks not only present teachings based on the Bible, but also practical guidelines for daily living.
Couple discussions: After every talk, the husband and wife meet exclusively with each other to discuss what was presented and to consider specific aspects of their marriage and family life that they need to work on.
Action planning: Towards the end of the MER, the couple will again sit down to formulate specific steps they will do in order to put what they have learned into practice.
Fellowship: As part of fostering an informal and relaxed atmosphere, and also enhancing the personal relationships among the couple participants, the MER provides structured interaction throughout the retreat, especially during the evening program and entertainment.
Eucharist: As the climax to the whole MER, Holy Mass is celebrated. During the Mass, the couples renew their marriage vows and offer to God their action plans.
Further, the press release stated, the Marriage Enrichment Retreat II (MER 2) was part of the formation program available in the CFC. “It is available to all member-couples starting from their second year in CFC. It is an optional program for the general membership and for household leaders, but is required for unit leader sand up,” It stated.
