On Saturday 8th of February, couples from Tauranga, Auckland and Hamilton gathered together to participate in a marriage retreat for Teams of Our Lady.

The retreat day was held centrally due to the sheer number of babies, toddlers and children accompanying the energised married couples. The ambient space of St Mary’s Chapel was the perfect place to start our day, which then naturally carried through to the Gerry Sullivan Centre where our sessions were held. I noticed a prevalent and perhaps unintentional dress code of tropical-themed shirts, shorts, jandals and sundresses which fitted the bubbly mood.

Father Matt Gibson gave a sermon on the various ways in which scripture can be interpreted; the literal, allegorical (text as symbolic representations) and eschatological (concerned with end of times).

"As couples, make it possible for each person in the marriage - to be able to go to a lonely place"

The explanation was given - this is the place where Jesus waits to meet each of us, to fill us for all of life's challenges.

Pilgrims of Hope Through Marriage, presented by Deacon John and his wife Barbara was the drawcard presentation. Reflecting on the Year of Jubilee 2025, Deacon John shared a candid dialog on the challenges of marriage and family life in modern (and expensive) New Zealand. His simple, relatable remark —“when you have young children, it’s hard to get anything done, isn’t it?”—offered a moment of shared understanding and perhaps even catharsis. It has stuck with me since the retreat.

Barbara spoke about her experience as a chaplain at Waikato Hospital, which is surely one of the most front facing and impactful roles in our diocese. She shared parallel accounts of two families dealing with death and sickness of loved ones in hospital. The first, overcome with grief, refused her offer of prayer and comfort despite their Catholic faith. The second, in a similar situation, welcomed prayer and remained open to chaplaincy. This very human example, which plays out daily at our hospitals, is a reminder that Christian hope runs like a thread through our life, including in marriage, and affects our level of resilience to life’s inevitable challenges.

Three couples who have been married upwards of 5 years, were put in the 'hot seats'. On this panel they shared their experiences of living their faith in the context of 'the reality of family life.'

The contribution of the late John Jackman to the establishment of Teams in Aotearoa was acknowledged. This was a poignant moment for many in the room, especially for those of us in 'Hamilton team #2' which John and Raewyn led. Thanks for all your mahi in Teams, John, and rest in peace.