Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Parish based groups encourage evangelization because the experience of Christian community.When people see groups of ME couples having fun together, it is an example to others of God’splan for marriage. Our passion can also attract others to our Church.Parish-based groups make it easier to invite un-encountered couples to events such as RomanceDinners to give them a taste of M.E. and encourage them to attend a Weekend.HOW TO ESTABLISH PARISH-BASED COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE IS NOEXISTING COMMUNITYo Pray for success!o Look at parishes in the area for possible grouping.o Focus on several specific parishes for Inviting.o Contact eachpastor and tel him what you’re trying to do.o Send each pastor an information portfolio and a video.o Establish parish contact couple from each parish.o A sharing group can be started with as few as 2 couples who are willing to meetregularly. These couples can come from one parish, or from a group of parishes that arein proximity to each other.o Put announcements in the bulletins inviting couples who have previously experiencedWeekends to get involved.o Experienced couples from other areas could help angel new groups.o Holding initial meetings at a parish rather than in a home might be more comfortablefor new members. After trust has been established, the meetings can be moved tohomes.o Work in an organized fashion, one parish or deanery at a time.o Continue to pray for God’s help.HOW TO ESTABLISH PARISH-BASED COMMUNITIES WITH EXISTING CIRCLESo Pray for success!o Survey existing Circles to see what parishes are represented. There could already be anatural grouping of couples.o Assign area parishes to each circle and make them accountable for inviting efforts inthose parishes. That would help to give them ownership for the mission in their area.o Contact the pastors and tel them what you’re trying to do. Send each pastor apromotional portfolio and a video.o Assign a contact couple in each parish if possible.o Put announcement in parish bulletins inviting couples who have experienced aWeekend to join the group in their local area.o Target specific parishes for pulpit talks to build up areas where there are no circles.o Create a sense of mission and renewal in the Church to help form other groups. Oneway to do this is to encourage attendance at area enrichment experiences. These eventshelp empower the couples to reach out and place them in contact with other dreamersand believers.o Don’t force anyone to change groups based on geography.o Continue to pray for God’s help!