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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Engaged Encounter Weekend?
Engaged Encounter is an investment in your future. It is a weekend experience where you, as a couple, can concentrate exclusively on one another, free of the pressures of daily life and the expectations of friends, relatives, and business associates. We want to help you make your marriage wonderful and permanent!! Engaged Encounter provides an atmosphere where you, as a couple, can privately share, even though 10 to 25 couples may be on the weekend. The weekend is not a recreational retreat. It is unlike any previous experience that you may have had individually or together. The weekend utilizes a process based on listening, writing, and dialoguing with each other-it provides you the opportunity to address your future and your commitment to each other, to build on your foundation for life together. Personal reflection and discussion as a couple are the main focus of the weekend. You will be encouraged to talk in terms of planning your marriage, rather than wedding, because we truly believe: "A wedding is a day, a marriage is a lifetime." A series of talks are presented, usually by two married couples and a priest, during the weekend. After each talk, the couple separate to write alone on a question concerning the talk. Then the couple meet privately to share each other's writing, to discuss what each other has written, and to explore their feelings and reactions. Reflecting our Catholic values, separate dormitory facilities are set up for men and women. We are also sensitive to values and expectations of other cultures. A few of the subjects you will discuss together include:
Come with an open mind. We are sure your marriage will benefit. Sure it takes work, and, of course, we all make mistakes. Yet we can provide you with techniques for better communication, productive ways to argue, and more. You will learn how to make your upcoming marriage, which we deeply care about, more unified and joyful. Do I Have to Be Catholic to Attend?
When and Where Is the Encounter Weekend Held? Weekends for Engaged Encounter of Central Washington are held at the Lazy F Retreat Center in Ellensburg, WA. Directions and further information will be sent to you when you register. The Encounter begins promptly at 7:30 PM Friday night-so plan to arrive by 7:00 PM, if at all possible. Weekends end by 3:00 PM on Sunday afternoon. The cost of the weekend is $295.00. This includes all supplies, your housing, and meals. Visit our registration page
or Who Can We Contact for More Information?
What Do We Do If We Have to Cancel? Visit our registration page for cancellation information. What Is the Schedule of Weekends This Year? See our schedule. All your bedding and towels, notebooks, and pens will be provided-you may
bring a sleeping bag and favorite pillow, if you wish. Please leave your cell
phones, electronic games, or portable TVs at home. You won't have time for them. Bring:
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Engaged Encounter is one of the approved marriage preparation programs
available to people being married in the Catholic Church. It is an intensive
time of work starting on Friday evening, continuing all day Saturday, and ending
in the early afternoon of Sunday. During this time, you (each couple) have the
chance to question, to examine, and to deepen their relationship with each other
and with God. The weekend experience challenges you (every couple) to explore
your relationship in deeper, more honest ways than which you probably have ever
experienced.
