Blog · Newsletter from For Better & For Ever - August 2021
[Left to right, from top: Recent Zoom meeting with couples in Lebanon: Fr. Rob Ruhnke in California; Carolyn and Chuck Lamar in Colorado; Redemptorist seminarian Steven Urban, who is learning more about marriage and family ministry; Fr. Stephen Rehrauer, Provincial Superior of the Denver Province in Chicago; Antonio Khalil and Paschelle Moallem in Lebanon; Fadi Khalil and Lara Zgheib in Lebanon; and Bill Mahoney and Cynthia Lopez (missing) with Retrouvaille of Los Angeles in California.]
Newsletter from For Better & For Ever - August 2021
11Aug2021 By Rob Ruhnke
In spite of Covid-19, For Better & For Ever expands Internationally. Fadi Khalil and Lara Zgheib in Lebanon contacted Rob in November of 2020. After many emails and Zoom discussions, For Better & For Ever is now being translated into Arabic.
Rob says, "Couples like Fadi and Lara who have contacted me know the difficulties of trying to introduce new ideas into parishes. I am encouraged that the couples in Lebanon plan to use For Better & For Ever with newly married couples, who will then talk with their pastors about the value of the program for couples preparing for marriage. We're hoping that these newly married couples can convince their pastors that they can function as true peer-to-peer ministers among engaged couples."
Closer to home, Fr. Rob also participated in a recent Retrouvaille weekend and follow-up sessions via Zoom. He is now collaborating with Retrouvaille couples in Los Angeles so they can serve in their parishes as sponsor couples. In addition, Fadi and Lara in Lebanon are interested in providing Retrouvaille for couples in Lebanon.
Deacon Javier and Jennifer leading a convalidation class for our parish using For Better & For Ever. Some of them are already eager to serve as sponsor couples!
Natalie & Ryan & Rob. The three of us worked 8 months to get an annulment so they could be married in the Catholic church. This was our day of celebrating the annulment!
Grandmother Rita was the faithful cheer leader through the annulment process.