01 Mar International Marriage Week Initiatives.
The International Marriage Week took place from the 7th to the 14th of February to celebrate and strengthen the sacrament of marriage. Members of the Teams of Our Lady organized a variety of activities and events to mark this special occasion and celebrate the gift of marriage. Below are some of the initiatives that took place.
We would like to sincerely express our gratitude to all the Teams of Our Lady members who dedicated their time to organize or participate in these events.
Enjoy the reading,
Ilaria and Pierpaolo (Expansion Couple, Ireland Region)
Sowing Seeds of Hope: Presenting Teams in Celbridge and Straffan
When Lucy and Paul spoke with Fr Phillip about International Marriage Week he was very supportive and kindly gave permission for Teams’ members to speak at all masses in St. Patrick’s (Celbridge) and St. Brigid`s (Straffan). A short article was included in the parish newsletter.
Aine and Joe spoke at the 2 masses in Straffan. Paola and Paolo graciously agreed to come to speak and share at the two Sunday morning Masses in St Patrick’s Celbridge. Lucy and Paul spoke at the evening masses in St Patrick’s. 
After the Masses other members of Teams joined us, meeting and greeting people as they left the church, and handing out information sheets. It was also lovely to catch up socially with Paola and Paolo after the masses.
The interaction with parishioners was positive and a seed has been planted!
Teams’s visit to Donnybrook and to Sallynoggin
We were really grateful for two invitations we received, that gave us the occasion to present Teams: one was from Fr Sebi, our Dublin Sector Chaplain, who invited us to speak to his congregation in the Donnybrook church of the Sacred Heart at his Family Mass on 15th February, and the other was from Sr Mary, chaplain to Team 34, who concocted the most original date for Ilaria: the Women’s breakfast in Sallinoggin Parish!
A lovely (and lively!) group of women meet monthly at this bountiful after-mass breakfast, and sr Mary thought it would make an ad-hoc platform, in the Valentine’s month, to speak of Teams to wives, mothers, sisters, grannies and aunties – and why not, possible future chaplains! We are very thankful to Fr Sebi and to Sr Mary for these opportunities that allow us to bring the charism of Teams out there, to be more and more known to people – and God knows, hopefully useful to more couples.
Marriage as Vocation: An Evening of Witness with Young Adults in Rathmines
Recently, Paola and Paolo
were invited to share their experience of marriage with the Young Adults Group in Rathmines parish, alongside a young couple newly married. It was a humbling and enriching evening of dialogue between different seasons of married life.
Together, they reflected on marriage as a total gift of self, inspired by Familiaris Consortio, exploring the beauty and challenge of sacrificial love in daily life. They spoke about prayer as a couple, discerning God’s will in family and work decisions, and living marriage as a vocation and mission in the Church — a witness of hope to the wider community.
A Joyful Witness to Marriage: Sharing Teams at St. Mary’s, Sandyford
Thanks to Joan and Sean, Teams were invited by Fr. John to present our charism at the Sunday 11am Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Sandyford. The church was full, and the presence of so many young families created a beautiful atmosphere of joy and hope. It was especially heart-warming to see the children gathered in front of the altar, singing the Our Father with such energy and enthusiasm.
After Mass, the day continued with Paola and Paolo sharing their testimony on the blessings Teams has brought to their marriage. It was a gift to collaborate with Joan and Sean throughout the event; their thoughtful contributions during the Q&A session enriched the conversation and offered a powerful witness of lived experience.
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