Engaged Encounter Couples Needed

Amarillo—Team Couples are needed for the Amarillo Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) Program, according to diocesan coordinators Deacon Henry and Lori Wilhelm.
“We are looking for team couples who would be willing to share with engaged couples their experience of the Sacrament of Marriage,” said Lori Wilhelm. “Team couples are married couples who have been married for a year or more, who are in communion with the Catholic Church and looking for a meaningful ministry.”
The Wilhelm’s took over as coordinators in 2013 after Deacon Blaine and Louise Westlake served in the roles for 21 years. The Westlake’s, along with the Wilhelm’s and Agnes and Jerry Ballard, have actively functioned as senior team couples, supplemented by many other married couples, who shared their experiences and love of marriage with more than 1,400 engaged couples.
“For those who wish to have a viable, rewarding ministry reaching out to engaged couples, Louise and I truly believe the Catholic Engaged Encounter Program is the way to go,” said Deacon Westlake. “We truly believe Engaged Encounter was a blessing and it was something that kept us young at heart.”
The Catholic Engaged Encounter is an in-depth, private, personal, marriage preparation experience within the context of Catholic faith and values, according to Deacon Wilhelm, who along with his wife Lori, have been dedicated to the Amarillo CEE for over 14 years.
“The CEE weekend retreat offers plenty of alone time together to dialogue deeply and honestly with each other about their future lives together,” said Deacon Wilhelm. “Couples will explore their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, their attitudes about money, sex, children, family, religious upbringing, spiritual maturity, relationship with Christ and their role in the family, job, church and society. There will be several team couples who will also share their marital experiences throughout the weekend.”
The weekend is open to any engaged couple seeking a deeper, more meaningful life together in a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church. The weekend begins Friday at 8:00pm and goes through Sunday afternoon. Guests will share a semi-private room: men with men and women with women. Meals are included and Mass is celebrated on Saturday evening.
CCE Weekends in 2015 are scheduled:
• Friday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 22;
• Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17;
• Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12; and,
• Friday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 15.
To register for the CEE Weekend contact Mollie Villegas at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 383-2243, ext. 116. For more information please contact Deacon Henry or Lori Wilhelm at 367-5099.