Category Spirituality | Spiritualiteit

Oudtshoorn, 26 May 2026: The Family Life Ministry in the Diocese reminds us of the Western Deanery Family Life Parish Coordinator training that will take place on Saturday, 30 May, at Christ the King parish in Worcester, starting with registration and tea at 08h30.

Asked to tell us more about the training that are given for parish Family Life Coordinators across the Diocese, the Coordinating Couple, Kenneth and Lynette Williams tolds us that families today face many challenges, and our parishes need people willing to bring hope, encouragement, and support to marriages and family life.

“The workshop therefore will be a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and experiences; strengthen Family Life ministry in our parishes; encourage one another in faith; plan together for the future and build friendships across the deanery. You do not need to be an expert or already involved in ministry — anyone with a heart for families is welcome”, they added.

They also asked that each parish in the Western Deanery shall ensure to send representatives so that together we can continue building stronger families and stronger parishes throughout our Western Deanery.

Use this online link, to register for the workshop. 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.

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.