At the Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption in Joun, couples explored the basic needs that nourish a family, through workshops, role-play and a walk together as couples.
Under the patronage of His Excellency Bishop Elie Bechara Haddad, Archbishop of the Greek Melkite Catholic Diocese of Sidon and Deir El-Qamar, Metanoia Listening Center organized a formation day for members of the Family Committee and some couples who are friends of the committee, at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption in Joun.
The first part of the day focused on the basic needs that nourish a family, divided into four areas:
1. Foundations of safety and belonging.
2. Bridges of communication and depth.
3. Pillars of respect and connection.
4. Skills for growth and continuity.
The theme was explored through workshops, role-play and sharing.
After lunch and a break, the second part was dedicated to time as a couple and personal time for each spouse. Everyone set off on a walk from the novitiate monastery towards the Church of Our Lady of Al-Waara. Each couple, on their own, shared memories of their first meeting before marriage; then each person took personal time to review their relationship with their spouse, and afterwards each couple came together and shared about the basic needs in their relationship.
After a group sharing of the fruits each person had received from the day, the couples recited the couple's prayer, thanking each other for the love that unites them and asking the Lord to fill them with His Spirit and help them grow further, paying attention to each other's needs and meeting them with joy and faithfulness, after the example of the Holy Family.
