By David and Lourdes Tupper
Special to the Herald
Every two years, Catholic Engaged Encounter community members come together for a national convention. This year the group — including three Hawaii couples — gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 31-Aug. 2 with a convention theme of “LOVE (Living Our Vows Everyday).”
Conventions are a great opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. It’s refreshing to share the weekend with like-minded couples and clergy dedicated to preparing engaged couples for the sacrament of matrimony.
The schedule in Atlanta was filled with the sacraments, community-building activities, group discussions and great speakers. Attendees were treated to memorable talks by keynote speaker Paul J. Kim — in sharing the tragic loss of his son Micah, Kim helped everyone better understand the communion of saints and how we in the physical world are inextricably connected to those in the spiritual realm.
The next national convention with the theme “One Mission” will be held in 2028 in San Antonio, Texas.
The Catholic Engaged Encounter website reminds us, “A wedding is a day … a marriage is a lifetime.” Each sacramental marriage forms the basis of a domestic church. Catholic Engaged Encounter helps couples prepare for this lifelong vocation.
If you would like to get involved, email hawaii@engagedencounter.com or visit hawaii.engagedencounter.com to learn more.