Oudtshoorn, 26 May 2026: The Family Life Ministry in the Diocese informs us that a Retrouvaille program will be presented in Oudtshoorn from 24 to 26 July with the intention of establishing a Retrouvaille community in the Diocese.
Following is an explanation of the purpose of Retrouvaille and the benefits it offers to couples and families experiencing difficulties in their marriages and relationships.
Retrouvaille, (French for rediscovery) is a program not only for marriages in trouble, but also those facing difficulties and challenges at different levels. A misconception is that Retrouvaille is for couples on the brink of divorce.
It is a wonderful program for the ‘perfect’ marriages as well. Any couple seeking to improve their communication skills, whether in the family or at work, in their marital relationship or with family and friends, will benefit from the Retrouvaille Program.
Retrouvaille is designed to help couples heal, rebuild trust and restore love. They often succeed where other efforts have failed. It offers tools for better communication and deeper connection in a safe space with no forced sharing. The program is rooted in Christian values and Catholic tradition but welcomes couples of all faiths or no faith. Sessions begin with a weekend experience, followed by additional sessions and ongoing support to continue healing and solidify progress.
The weekend experience is not counselling or group therapy; instead, it focuses on helping couples rebuild communication and understanding through a structured program led by volunteers who have faced similar challenges. All interactions are private between you and your spouse, allowing you to prioritize your relationship away from daily routines. This challenging yet rewarding experience provides a valuable opportunity to invest in each other.
To this end, a Retrouvaille weekend will be presented right here in Oudtshoorn 24 – 26 July, meaning that there is no need to travel to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth.
More details regarding this weekend can be obtained from either Fr. Dennis Ongansie CO or Kenneth and Lynette Williams, the Diocesan Chaplain and Coordinating Couple for the Family Life Ministry.
Die Gesins- en Familielewebediening in die Bisdom laat ons weet dat ’n Retrouvaille-program van 24 tot 26 Julie in Oudtshoorn aangebied sal word, met die doel om ’n Retrouvaille-gemeenskap in die Bisdom te vestig.
Hier volg ’n verduideliking van die doel van Retrouvaille en die voordele wat dit bied aan egpare en gesinne wat uitdagings in hul huwelike en verhoudings ervaar.
Retrouvaille (Frans vir “herontdekking”) is ’n program nie net vir huwelike in nood nie, maar ook vir dié wat op verskillende vlakke met probleme en uitdagings te kampe het. ’n Algemene wanopvatting is dat Retrouvaille slegs bedoel is vir paartjies op die rand van egskeiding.
Dit is egter ’n wonderlike program vir die sogenaamde “volmaakte” huwelike ook. Enige egpaar wat hul kommunikasievaardighede wil verbeter – hetsy in die gesin, by die werk, in hul huweliksverhouding of met familie en vriende – kan baat vind by die Retrouvaille-program.
Retrouvaille is ontwerp om paartjies te help genees, vertroue te herbou en liefde te herstel. Dit slaag dikwels waar ander pogings misluk het. Die program bied hulpmiddels vir beter kommunikasie en ’n dieper verbintenis in ’n veilige ruimte sonder verpligte deel. Dit is gewortel in Christelike waardes en Katolieke tradisie, maar verwelkom paartjies van alle gelowe – of selfs sonder geloof. Die sessies begin met ’n naweek-ervaring, gevolg deur verdere sessies en volgehoue ondersteuning om genesing te bevorder en vooruitgang te versterk.
Die naweek-ervaring is nie berading of groepterapie nie; dit fokus eerder daarop om paartjies te help om kommunikasie en begrip te herbou deur ’n gestruktureerde program wat deur vrywilligers gelei word wat self soortgelyke uitdagings beleef het. Alle interaksies is privaat tussen jou en jou eggenoot, wat julle toelaat om die verhouding te prioritiseer weg van die daaglikse roetine. Hierdie uitdagende, maar lonende ervaring bied ’n kosbare geleentheid om weer in mekaar te belê.
Om hierdie rede sal ’n Retrouvaille-naweek hier in Oudtshoorn van 24 tot 26 Julie aangebied word – wat beteken dat daar geen behoefte is om na Kaapstad of Port Elizabeth te reis nie.
Meer besonderhede oor hierdie naweek kan verkry word by Vr. Dennis Ongansie CO of Kenneth en Lynette Williams, die Bisdomkapelaan en Koördinerende Egpaar vir die Gesinslewebediening.
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