Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Worldwide Marriage EncounterInviting and Supporting the Weekend-Family Friendly IdeasThe mission of Worldwide Marriage Encounter is to renew the Church andchange the world. How can we provide a more “family friendly” atmosphere to attractcouples that have children to attend the WWME Weekend, become involved withinviting others to the Weekend and offer support during the Weekend? How can weinvolve our priests and religious? Below is a list of suggestions to help you in yourefforts to spread the mission of WWME.INVITINGPARISH Offer special weekends for families (outlines available) Offer special events for families like Advent Days that have presentationsand activities Give parish enrichments and provide free childcare* WWME sponsored “parenting” program for local parish as an intro &inviting tool. Real need today to help couples with parenting issues! More inexpensive, fun nights focused on young couples, providechildcare* Events open to non-Encountered couples and priests- i.e. Family hay rides,family camp out, family fishing events, family swimming parties,Languages of Love for Families Involve teenagers in planning events Recognize a family in the parish to send a card of affirmation to and aninvitation to a Weekend that gives a $off award/incentive Romance nights, i.e. dances for young married couples, provide childcare* Include clergy in our activities Invite clergy into our family Sponsor family events in the parish Invite Bishop to family events Have encountered families attend booths at ministry days or parish fairs Adults and children wear WWME shirts at outings World Priest Day-Invite a priest to dinner, one couple per priest, all at thesame restaurant. Also invite nuns and seminarians. Visit the pastor as a family to talk about the impact of WWME on familylife as well as marriage Invite priests to dinner; love them*Childcare subject to local area legal and diocesan requirements.© 10/05 Worldwide Marriage Encounter, San Bernardino, CA

WITNESS/PULPIT TALKS Pulpit/Witness talks presented by families Witness talks – 2 families go to support each Witness talks- have children participate-either as part of presentation orafter for greeting and passing out info Have young couples give witness talks Use the Community Pillar Selection Process to encourage young couplesoff Weekends to do the Witness Talks. Youth Masses- have teenagers give the witness talk about impact ofWeekend on family Stress the value WWME has on family in all witness talks Target Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas) for “family”witness talk 1. Homily time? 2. World Family Day? Families hand out brochures after Mass Posters and registration forms with pictures of families Stress what WWME has done for your family Ask children what their parents involvement in WWME means to themhowit affects their daily family life Pictures of family events included in inviting effortsMEDIA Submit family articles to eMatrimony/local area papers/magazines Articles on WWME’s positive impacts on familiesPRAYER/DIALOGUE Prayer chain with children Encourage family dialogue, whenever possible at family eventsWEEKEND SUPPORT Ask children to sacrifice for a couple attending the Weekend-NoNintendo, no sweets, so MTV. Etc-kids ask kids-make a big paper bannerwith sacrifices listed, decorated by kids involved Children make banners to support Weekend Candy grams-create message using specific brand name candy bars tapedto paper to create a love message-kids love it! Greet Off and end of Weekend-encourage families to participate Kids help with Weekend setup Get the teens involved and the younger children will follow© 10/05 Worldwide Marriage Encounter, San Bernardino, CA