Because we had just gone to a family retreat about 3 weeks before the parish had a course to renew married life (CTĐSHN), and had also accepted to serve at the meals of the course, my husband and I had no intention of participating. Participate in this CTĐSHN course. It was a blessing and luck for us, because the earnest invitation of some of the organizers, as well as their interest in learning and the opportunities to relax during the retreats, made us I decided to enroll in the honors course. The course is held for 3 days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 4, 5 and 6 at the home parish.

To devote our full attention to the course and each other, we tried to arrange all the work thoroughly before the course day. Then Friday came, and we set out with full confidence. On the first evening, the organizing committee warmly welcomed all the participants very thoughtfully. Each pair of graduates received a candle of love and unity to dedicate their entire family life to God during these 3 days. After taking souvenir photos for each couple, the course began with a delicious, purely Vietnamese dinner. The greetings of parish priest Bui Quang Tuan, spiritual director Nguyen Hung and the organizing committee placed our hearts on the true meaning of the vocation of marriage in God's creative plan. The peaceful, cordial evening ended with a touching Unity Candle Lighting ceremony.

Over the next two days, cheerful faces, witty words, and concise, touching, and heartfelt sharings brought us experiences and sudden awareness of many complex aspects. Complex and noteworthy in married life. The topics are very close to all families. Difficulties, concerns, stumbles, struggles, and sufferings are difficult to avoid in almost any married life. There were so many tears of happiness that fell to raise smiles of sympathy and serenity. After sharing topics, we again had the opportunity to have a few minutes of discussion, contributing useful personal opinions and concerns. Interspersed in the talks and discussions were meaningful and touching liturgical ceremonies that still resonate in our hearts to this day. Through these moments of closeness to God, we feel even more that the Vocation of Marriage is priceless and full of loving meaning.

The kind care of Father Linh Huong and the members of the organizing committee, the friendly meals, and the interesting conversation breaks continue to bring a lively, gentle spirit to all the participants. attend. All the course's processes were meticulously planned and progressed so smoothly, continuously and interestingly that we no longer needed the support of coffee.

During the 3 days of attending the course, we honestly felt like we were on an exciting cruise. In addition to three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the break table is always filled with fruits, nuts, chips, tea, punch, coffee and tea. The couple's 3-day leisurely weekend focusing on each other and God must be described as absolutely wonderful.

It's so touching to see lecturers put aside comfortable days and hours with their families and children, being self-sufficient and coming from far away states or cities, to share their "bloody experiences" and their scars. love and their lives, hoping to foster and protect the happiness of other families.

Thank God for giving the Spiritual Director, along with all of you, the generous, self-sacrificing hearts and courage to share life experiences, wounds, tears, and not a lack of laughter. Feel free with us throughout the lockdown. A very strong feeling is that we need moments to quiet our souls, away from the noise of life, to look back at each person's soul, to sympathize and forgive; does not close the door of mistakes and errors, but opens a path to understanding and joy.

We hope that the Marriage Renewal Course will return to our parish as well as to all parishes, so that all families have the opportunity to receive the fruits of the wonderful love that God gives. Every couple goes through this meaningful family retreat.