“A Day of Reflection and Renewal” on Saturday, February 11, 2012, 9am -4pm.
All married couples are invited to join in a one-day Marriage Program. Those who are planning to marry, newlyweds and those married many years will benefit from this special day of reflection and renewal. The program will feature Dr. Philip Mamalakis, a Clinical Family Therapist, who is a professor of Pastoral Theology at Holy Cross School of Theology and Father Elias, and will culminate in a prayer service, drawing all to a renewal of faith, love and commitment.
Treat yourself, and your spouse, to a Saturday retreat and re-connect with the person you fell in love with.

Dr. Philip Mamalakis, an Orthodox Marriage and Family therapist, and Professor at Holy Cross Seminary, joins us again so that we can take a little time from our busy schedules in order to make a big difference in how connected you feel with your spouse. Married, and ’soon-to-be married’
couples are welcome. Couples of all religions are welcome to attend. In fact, this is an excellent retreat for those who are single and hoping to marry one day.
We so often neglect the important things that need time. I hear over and over again, “I don’t need the retreat. My marriage is fine.” Is it? or is it something we take for granted? Or are many people staying married because they do not want to hurt their children by divorce or separation?
This retreat is for all married couples, young and old - happily married and those with normal struggles. So many couples stay away from retreats like this because they feel that they will be labeled by others as a couple with “marital problems”. This is not for couples with marital problems but for all couples. What a great message for your children: “Mom and Dad are going on a retreat together because we are in love.” Can you think of a better gift to give your family? The importance of love as husband and wife cannot be overstressed.

We have 2 whole months to make necessary plans in order to attend this retreat. I know we all make strong efforts to attend other events and socials and I hope we can make the same effort to participate on this special day. Indeed, we are all very busy and tied down with many responsibilities, however, just as we do not accept shortcuts to other successes, please do not accept shortcuts to strong marital unity.
A quote from one our participants- “We appreciated the opportunity to come to the workshop series on marriage. Too bad it was not years ago. Going to a marriage counselor gives you only the practical side of being giving and forgiving to your spouse. Adding what God expects from us totally validates all issues. So having both yourself and Philip Mamalakis at this workshop makes it that much more effective.”

Please email Kathy in our office to rsvp.
kathysp@optonline.net The donation per couple is $100. Lunch will be served and childcare will be provided based on the number in need.

Tentative Schedule - Saturday, February 11, 2012

10:00am Prayer in the Chapel - “The highest expression of prayer is silence; not my sharing with God, but His sharing with me.”

10:15-11:30 session #1
11:30-12:00 Activity #1

12:00pm -1:00pm Session #2

1:00-2:00 Lunch

2:30-3:00 Session #3
3:00-3:30 Activity #3

3:30 Wrap up

4:00 Closing