Fr. Rob Ruhnke, C.Ss.R. believes that the more effective use of technology – specifically the Internet – is the silver lining of the global pandemic. While he discovered the wonders of Zoom technology to conduct online training of marriage preparation sponsor couples during the past year, other couples around the world searching for more effective marriage preparation resources discovered For Better & For Ever online.
Fadi Khalil and Lara Zgheib in Lebanon initially expressed interest in learning more about For Better & For Ever in November of 2020. After many emails and Zoom discussions, For Better & For Ever is now being translated into Arabic. Fr. Rob also continues in dialogue with the director of the Family Center in Lithuania, who is working on a translation for that country. Resources are already available in the English, Spanish, Vietnamese and French languages.“
Couples who have contacted me know the difficulties of trying to introduce new ideas into parishes,” Fr. Rob said. “I’m encouraged that the couples in Lebanon plan to use For Better & For Ever with newly married couples, who will then talk with their pastors about the value of the program for couples preparing for marriage. We’re hoping that these newly married couples can convince their pastors that they can function as true peer-to-peer ministers among dating/ engaged couples.”
Closer to home, Fr. Rob also participated in a recent Retrouvaille weekend and follow-up sessions via Zoom. He is now working to train Retrouvaille couples in Los Angeles as sponsor couples.
Pictured Left to right, from top: Recent Zoom meeting participants included: Fr. Rob Ruhnke in California; Carolyn and Chuck Lamar in Colorado; Redemptorist seminarian Steven Urban, who is learning more about marriage and family ministry; Fr. Stephen Rehrauer, Provincial Superior of the Denver Province in Chicago; Antonio Khalil and Paschelle Moallem in Lebanon; Fadi Khalil and Lara Zgheib in Lebanon; and Bill Mahoney and Cynthia Lopez (missing) with Retrouvaille of Los Angeles in California.