Couples, Families and Priests: Journeying Together in Life and Mission
23min | Presented by Leo and Helen Wursthorn with Fr Patrick Rooney
In this presentation, Leo and Helen discuss the work and mission of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, an international ecclesial movement in the Church, and how married couples and priests can support, encourage and challenge each other as they live out their vocations. Fr Pat Rooney shares his experience working with married couples through Worldwide Marriage Encounter.
Leo and Helen Wursthorn are parents to five children, and grandparents to 18 grandchildren, plus one in heaven. The family of the Church is their second main ministry, particularly through their work with Marriage Encounter. Leo and Helen have held various leadership roles in Australia and have represented Australia and the Pacific region internationally within Marriage Encounter. They have worked with a team of couples and priests for over 25 years in supporting marriages, always believing that couples can improve their marriage by investing time in it, for the greater glory of God. Fr Pat Rooney grew up on a dairy farm on the Warren River in the Manjimup, Pemberton timber country. He has worked in parishes in the south of Western Australia for over 60 years, including Australind, Gnowangerup, Tambellup, Margaret River, Augusta, Manjimup, Pemberton, and Esperance. He explains that he was blessed over 40 years ago to have participated in a Marriage Encounter Weekend, and to have worked with Marriage Encounter couples and priests ever since. Fr Pat has also helped with Engaged Encounter and worked with married couples in parish-based marriage preparation.