I joined the Catholic Marriage Advisory Bureau, later to be called Marriage Care, 33 years ago as a Marriage Preparation Facilitator and two years later I became a counsellor. The training, love and care I received during what were some of the most difficult times in my life really helped me to be the person I am today.
I can say we are a family of love all striving for the same goal which is to help couples prepare for Marriage and to nurture them though their own journey if they have any problems.
As one of the Trainers for Marriage Preparation I can say we work together to ensure that new volunteers get the best training possible and that they are well prepared to deliver to the highest standard – ensuring that God is at the centre of all we do.
At the heart of my various roles in Marriage Care is my belief that the vows we undertake on the day of Marriage begin a lifelong journey. After 52 years of Marriage with the loss of my young son aged 16, couples need to understand that the promises they make to each other are not fickle but a light burning brightly, when the light flickers and they cannot resolve differences we – Marriage Care – are there for them, we always welcome them to the family of Marriage Care.
When a couple say thank you for a lovely day it makes me happy, when a couple say they want to be a volunteer because Marriage Care helped and they want to give something back or when I get a letter from a priest saying that the couples are very happy with their marriage preparation day I thank God for giving us the gift of love.
Marriage Care has taught me patience, kindness, tolerance, acceptance and love.
Glenda is one of many volunteers with Marriage Care. To find out more about their work, visit here.
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