Are you….

An Engaged Encounter weekend offers you…

Engaged Encounter weekends provide a safe environment in which couples prepare for a fulfilling married life.

What is an Engaged Encounter Weekend?

An Engaged Encounter Weekend is a workshop for couples, who are intending to marry, to learn how to make marriage special.

We offer you a quiet weekend to focus on your feelings, hopes, joys, fears and expectations for marriage while learning from those who have already made their marriages work. Couples do not have to share personal details with others; the weekend is between you and your partner to help you communicate effectively and honestly.

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Who is it for?

An Engaged Encounter weekend is for couples who want a great marriage in which their relationship continues to grow and deepen.

The weekends are based on a Christian view of marriage, but would prove helpful for couples of any faith. Indeed, all are welcome. However, please note that Engaged Encounter is not an alternative for engaged couples who believe they are in need of counseling.

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What happens?

An Engaged Encounter weekend is full and structured with little free time. A team of married couples and a priest present a series of talks, each focusing on a different aspect of married life.

As the team couples speak honestly about their own experiences of marriage, you will be challenged to think about your own present and future relationship.

At the end of each talk you are given time to reflect individually on what you have heard before meeting privately with your partner to share your response. The aim is to provide a positive and thought provoking experience which will prepare you for a fulfilling married life.

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What does it cost?

There is a booking deposit of €50 per person (or its Sterling equivalent).

The actual cost (of which participants will be advised on the Weekend) depends on the venue used but averages at approx. €200 per person (or its Sterling equivalent).

It is the policy of Engaged Encounter that no couple should ever have to forgo making a Engaged Encounter Weekend because they cannot afford it.

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When and where are Weekends held?

Weekends are usually held in either a hotel or a retreat house. Today many retreat houses offer comfortable rooms in attractive surroundings at reasonable cost. The Weekend is however in no sense a ‘retreat’.

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Click here to find a full listing of the dates and venues for Engaged Encounter weekends in Ireland and to make a reservation on the weekend of your choice