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monthly seminar designed to develop spirituality among married couples to sustain them through difficult times, among others, is ongoing in Western Sydney, run by the chaplain for Filipino Catholic faithfuls in the Sydney diocese.
monthly seminar designed to develop spirituality among married couples to sustain them through difficult times, among others, is ongoing in Western Sydney, run by the chaplain for Filipino Catholic faithfuls in the Sydney diocese.Seven West Sydney couples had completed the Marriage Enrichment Seminar (MES) conducted by long serving Filipino chaplain Fr. Nards Mercene last May 17 and 18 2014 at the St. Ezekiel Moreno Augustinian Recollect Sister Convent at 174 Hill End Road, Doonside.
Fr Mercene said the MES is an interactive workshop with lots of seminars and personal sharing, to help couples rediscover each other deeply, and nourish their lives.
Participants of the recent MES Class 206 included Nelson & Marian Cabusas, Jeerico & Agnes Caspe, Jojo & Norie Fajardo, Bobby & Marilyn Jimenez, Bernard & Tess Macapagal, Tim & Ritchie Perez, and Roy & Celia Tomita.
Mr Obet Dionisio served as Acolyte and In-charge of Liturgy.
The Marriage Enrichment Seminar (MES) was initiated in Sydney in 1988 by Rev. Fr. Nards Mercene, Chaplain of the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy, Archdiocese of Sydney.
Activities of MES are based on specified guidelines. Its aim is a spirituality that can sustain married couples through difficult times, help them re-discover each other, nourish their lives together. It is also aimed to enable them to be more enriching to each other and strengthen their marital and family bonds based on Australian cultural environment. Participants are taught a lifestyle that make their relationship not simply living together but one which offers each partner a truly rewarding, fulfilling, and intimate experience.
Some of the topics covered are : “The Goals of Marriage” , “Responsible parenthood”, “Communication in Marriage”, “Marriage as a Vocation” and Family’s Responsibility to Society and the Church”.
The two-day seminar starts on a Saturday from 9:00am to 4:30pm and Sunday, 9:00am to 3:30pm. The seminar concludes with a Holy Mass where the participants renew their marriage vows, graduation, and fellowship.
The service team provide and serve participants with everything including breakfast, morning tea, lunch, child minding etc. Fr. Nards delivers all lectures. There is no fee involved.
The service team provide and serve participants with everything including breakfast, morning tea, lunch, child minding etc. Fr. Nards delivers all lectures. There is no fee involved.
Fr Nards said recent statistics show alarmingly increasing reports of marital conflicts and a rising incidence of separations among married couples.
Convenors of MES believe various economic and social factors, are changing the moral and spiritual values of the Filipinos brought about by the new culture and lifestyle in the adopted country.
The convenors believe the following life situations ; 1) the priorities given to work, baby-sitting, material things etc., lessen their time for each other; 2) financial and relationship concerns involving relatives here and in the Philippines; 3) mortgages and other debts that are common problems of young couples aggravated by household chores and the lack of support; 4) domestic quarrels caused by the inability and unwillingness to communicate sensibly with each other that also affects the rearing and disciplining of children, affect many migrant Filipino couples.
The convenors believe among others, these factors erode the stability of the relationship of many marriages causing the loss of mutual respect, support, and love between the spouses. The Marriage enrichment Seminar was designed to address these problems in a straight forward way.
So far , according to the convenors, a good number of successfully assisted couples in its 25 years of dedicated efforts look back to it in gratitude as they move forward to a renewed life.
All couples whether they are married in the church or by a marriage celebrant, or are living together but are intending to get married in the church may attend the Seminar. Contact persons to ring for more information: Fr. Nards Mercene: H-9604 5512, M-0410 505 177, Manding Abogado: H-9610 8478, M-0413 147 740 and Annie Abogado M-0411 637 002.