Holy Cross couple leading WWME in Iowa/La Crosse

HOLY CROSS — Worldwide Marriage Encounter for the Iowa/La Crosse area has a new leadership couple. In March, Jeff and Janet Francois were affirmed as leaders for the next two years.

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Jeff and Janet are from Holy Cross and were married in 2008. They have dedicated the past five years to the mission of Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME), presenting weekends and also the past three years as the inviting coordinators. The couple believes their biggest asset in Iowa is their team of nine presenting couples as well as various community group couples who support WWME. The team is very dedicated to the mission of WWME, which is to proclaim the value of marriage and holy orders in the church and in the world. Jeff and Janet’s dream is to see all married couples and priests experience a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend and community.

A WWME weekend is presented by three team couples and a priest. The team gives a presentation on various topics related to the sacraments of marriage and holy orders. At the end of each presentation the attendees are given a question to answer and discuss in private. The communication tools taught give everyone something positive to take away from the weekend.

Another couple involved in our local area of WWME are Jared and Veronica Stewart of Oelwein as the new inviting coordinators. Jared and Veronica have so much energy, and we cannot wait to see what they will offer.

Dan and Shirley O’Connell of Waterloo are working on the World Marriage Day celebration and Mass. Years ago it was a huge celebration and Dan and Shirley will be highlighting that for us again. World Marriage Day is celebrated the second week­end in February, so watch for more details to come at a later date. Chuck and Kim Mashek of Waverly will be highlighting WWME on social media and are working on bringing back the famous Spirit magazine.

Dennis and Deb Jones of Waverly, prior leaders, will present weekends and help couples write their presentations. John and Sue Fink of Marshalltown, with over 30 years in Worldwide Marriage Encounter, will help with the finances, present weekends and also help couples write presentations.

Joe and Lori Dunham of Bondurant present weekends and are a great help with inviting in the Des Moines area. Bill and Sandra Gruman of Grinnell present weekends and help with inviting also. Craig and Lori Diggins of Marshalltown have recently joined the presenting team and are writing their presentations.

Ron and Pat Milder of Iowa City also present weekends and have dedicated over 40 years to this ministry. Other couples involved in supporting WWME are Greg and Denise Rubner of Arlington who will be stepping into the application couple position as Roger and Marcia Lunesman stepped down after 30 years of service to participate in the diaconate program, and we all wish them the best of luck. Also, Mark and Laurie Fallon are helping get bulletin announcements out to all the churches.

If you have attended a WWME weekend in the past consider going again as the presentations have been updated and after a few years of life changes you have a different perspective on things. Also, if you have attended a weekend in the past and want to be part of WWME again, please give Jeff and Janet a call, they would be happy to help you find a community group in your area or tell you how you can get involved.

Jeff and Janet are also on the steering committee for the WWME 50th Anniversary Convention that will be held in Lombard, Illinois, next summer, June 22-24, 2018. All couples, priests and religious who have attended a WWME weekend are invited to attend. The theme for the convention is “We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe.”

To find information about upcoming WWME weekends, go to www.-Iowa-wwme.org or call 563-608-3305. To find more information about the upcoming 50th convention, go to WWME2018.org.  You can also e-mail Jeff and Janet at jlj-wwme08@gmail.com with any Worldwide Marriage Encounter inquiry. 

Photo: Jeff & JanetFrancois  

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