Developed inAustraliawith collaboration of colleagues inPennsylvania,USA, the first prototype Celebrate Love seminar was held in Kensington parish, Sydney in 1992. Since that time, there have been 60 seminars in 12 dioceses across the nation. In May 2006, Celebrate Love will venture to theUKon the invitation of Westminster Diocese inLondon. Over 40 couples have registered for this seminar, some of whom will be trained to present future seminars with ongoing support from Celebrate Love inAustralia. Interest has also been received from other countries includingNew Zealand.
2006 will also see the launch of ‘Embrace’ – an adaptation of Celebrate Love for the engaged. Comprised of six sessions, Embrace is a parish based marriage preparation course that draws on Celebrate Love couples who ‘mentor’ each engaged couple one-on-one. Presented in the home with the assistance of a DVD curriculum, Mentoring is an attractive apostolate for couples, especially those with young children, who find it difficult to be away from home.
Celebrate Love is one of a number of programs developed by the PMRC. It was established by Fr Charles Gallagher SJ who was the founder of Worldwide Marriage Encounter. The PMRC promotes a relational spirituality that takes its inspiration from John 17. Initiatives introduced to Australia include Celebrate Love, Embrace, Antioch, Luke 18, Movement of Continuous Prayer for Marriage & Family Life, Parish Renewal Weekend, Evenings for the Engaged, Evergreen, Barnabas and Parishioner Empowerment Weekend.
