On the weekend of 22-23 March 2025, a transformative event took place at the leafy grounds of St Joseph’s Convent, Mary MacKillop Centre in South Perth. The Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) weekend — a retreat designed to strengthen marital bonds and deepen spiritual connections — brought together 14 Indonesian-Australian Catholic couples for a truly enriching experience. The couples, whose marriages ranged from three years to over forty years, were united in their commitment to strengthening their relationships with each other and with God.
This particular weekend marked the second batch of the Indonesian language WWME, following the inaugural retreat held the previous year. The retreat, designed to help couples build effective communication, grow in intimacy, and reflect on the deeper meaning of their sacrament, provided participants with invaluable insights that would continue to benefit them in their daily lives.
A Weekend of Reflection and Renewal
The Mary MacKillop Centre, known for hosting retreats and reflections for various groups, was the perfect setting for this meaningful encounter. With its peaceful, serene surroundings and spiritual ambiance, the centre offered an ideal space for couples to reflect, reconnect, and share their experiences. The weekend, however, was a live-out retreat, meaning that couples went home on Saturday night and returned Sunday morning to complete the program.
The weekend began on Saturday at 7.30 am with a mass held in the hall. As participants gathered, there was an air of excitement as the journey toward marital renewal began. The retreat concluded with a powerful mass in the centre’s beautiful chapel on Sunday late afternoon, where couples participated in a renewal of their marriage vows. This sacred moment served as a reminder of the profound significance of the sacrament of marriage and its central place in the lives of the participants.
A Dedicated Team of Presenters
The WWME was led by a team of passionate presenters, most of whom hailed from Indonesia. Romo Adrianus Akik Purwanto from the Archdiocese of Surabaya was the spiritual leader, offering profound insights into the importance of faith in marriage. He was joined by Chris and Lely, a married couple from Jakarta, as well as Donna and Kustedjo from Makassar. The Indonesian team brought a unique perspective to the weekend, with their experiences and insights resonating deeply with the participants.
Adding a local touch, the retreat was also supported by the efforts of Dwi Suseno and Sandra Wibawanta, a married couple from Perth, who had played a crucial role in initiating the Indonesian-language WWME in Australia. Additionally, Max and Annie Mayes, WA WWME coordinators, ensured the smooth running of the retreat, providing support behind the scenes.
A Collective Effort for a Common Goal
One of the most touching aspects of the weekend was the involvement of the first batch of participants. The couples who had attended the 2024 retreat played an integral role in this year’s event by helping with logistics, organising food, and writing welcoming messages for the 2025 participants. Their involvement went beyond simple assistance; it was a gesture of love and support, reinforcing the sense of community and the shared mission of strengthening marriages.
The participants themselves were fully engaged throughout the weekend. Despite the sometimes-rushed pace of the sessions, the couples made a concerted effort to participate in reflection exercises and engage in deep conversations. Topics focused on building effective communication between married couples, providing tips and techniques to navigate challenges, improve understanding, and foster emotional intimacy. Reflection time allowed couples to share experiences in pair and identify areas for growth.
Personal Transformation and Hope for the Future
As the weekend progressed, a subtle transformation was evident in the couples. By the end of the retreat, many participants appeared more connected and intimate with one another. The bonds between the couples had deepened, and there was a renewed sense of optimism that they could continue walking their journey together more effectively. The couples expressed a strong desire to take the lessons they had learned and apply them in their communities, hoping to influence and inspire other couples facing challenges in their marriages.
As our Church celebrates the Jubilee Year, the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” that emphasises the journey of faith and the hope that Christ offers made the participants left the weekend with renewed faith and a deeper sense of purpose. They hoped to be witnesses of hope and love in their communities, addressing the challenges of marriage in the Church and in the world.
For many, the experience was life changing. As one couple shared, after 30 years of marriage, there were still issues that had never been discussed until this retreat. With new tools and insights, they left with a concrete plan to address those issues and ensure that their relationship continued to flourish in the years to come.
A Mission Fulfilled
The weekend’s success was ultimately rooted in WWME’s mission: to proclaim the value of marriage and holy orders in the Church and in the world. The retreat was a living testament to the strength of faith, the importance of communication in marriage, and the power of shared experiences. The participating couples were not only more connected to each other but also more connected to their faith and their mission to live out the sacrament of marriage with love, commitment, and hope.
In conclusion, the 2025 Marriage Encounter weekend was a powerful and transformative experience for the Indonesian-Australian couples who participated. They returned home equipped with new tools to continue their marital journey with hope and confidence, knowing that their love could be a beacon of light in the world around them.