Vanimo, West Sepik Province: A week-long retreat workshop on Marriage Encounter & Child Protection was conducted by Sr. Rose Mary Arulandu MSI the Diocesan Family Life Coordinator of the Catholic Diocese of Vanimo.
Held at the St. Anthony Pilgrim House in Vanimo on 26th to 31st of October, it had the involvement of 45 participants. Facilitating the program were Fr. Peter, National Spiritual Director from the order of Holy Family, Goroka; Sr. Lucy D’Souza MSI the National Family Life Coordinator; and Robin Lesley from Caritas Australia.
On the first three days, Family Life couples of the Diocese were given sessions on Marriage Encounter. Fr. Peter and Sr. Lucy went through the twelve stages of the retreat before a Mass was held for the Renewal of Marriages for the participating couples. Bishop of Vanimo, Most Reverend Bishop Francis Meli, was the main celebrant at the occasion.
Sr. Lucy stressed on the topic of Child Protection with the last two days facilitated with sessions from Mr Lesley. The sessions were attended for all family life coordinators and other stakeholders, including religious. The core focus of the workshop was to create awareness on the Lukautim Pikinini Act & the Catholic Bishops Conference taking ownership and implementation of this new Act.
The sessions presented were an eye opener for all who attended. The retreat workshop ended on a high note with many of the participants expressing their satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
Most couples expressed their experiences of what the retreat workshop has done in their lives compared to their past experiences within their families and communities.
Organiser of the week-long program for the Parish Family Life Coordinators, Sr. Rose Mary Arulandu MSI, Family Life Coordinator of Vanimo Diocese