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FATIMA GATHERING –

Fatima enthused us with hope and joy! It increased our faith, and our love for

each other. The conference successfully integrated so many couples, coming

from different cultures from 95 countries spread over 5 continents. Teams are a

huge family of families and still growing.... The Holy Spirit moved amongst this

huge assembly of 9000 people.

Language is not a problem as Teams is a place of love and encounter, to make

friendship and re-kindle old ones. It was our first International Conference and

we will never forget it.

Our lasting impression is the

release of 2 white doves

followed by a flock of white

doves in the bright blue sky at

the closing ceremony.

Perfect.

Philp & Dominique Manser

We were thoroughly impressed with our trip to Fatima. We would like to suggest 3 words that express our experience:

Educational - we came away with a better understanding of the organisation and what "Teams of Our Lady" is all about

Inspirational - to see so many committed couples, particularly young couples participating

Nourishing - the strength to continue our sacramental journey of marriage

Carol and Mark Traynor

Eurasia couples

in Fatima UK, Irl, Oz, India, Trinidad, Africa.

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Highlights from Teams Members

What a wonderful witness to the strength of Christian marriage! Couples from around the world united in celebration of their union and their families. One of the highlights was our mixed teams meeting, where we quickly established mutual trust and shared on a deep level with the six other couples, and also had some fun.

Teddy & Collette Totman

It was the people from France, Syria, Canada, Colombia,

Brazil and Mauritius who were in our 'Mixed Team' that

really made it for us. Paul & Sue Rowney

The Sit Down

The sit down was a remarkable witness of faith to the Sacrament of Marriage and there were many onlookers who were touched by this very special event. It even reached the national Television news channel. Bernard & Susan Kelly

One thing that struck us both was the international dimension of the movement, with anglophones very much in the minority.

We couldn't resist the picture below of the mass sit-down noting the solitary red umbrella amongst the sea of blue and yellow ones!

Graham and Zof Stott

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FATIMA GATHERING –

We heard many moving testimonies from Teams members. Two that stay with us are the Argentinian family who opened their home to a Syrian Family and supported them through highs and lows of a year in exile and an Italian team supporting one of their couples through injury, illness and coming to terms with death of one spouse. The stories were inspiring and humbling.

Mark and Dympna Edwards

Have you forgiven them?

This was the question asked of the Emeritus

Archbishop of Mosul Georges Casmoussa

from Iraq when he was released by his

captors after having been kidnapped and

threatened with ‘slaughter’ by Isis in Mosul,

2005

I answered him spontaneously: "Yes, straight

away." - "How?" - "First of all, because we

are disciples of Jesus, then because we do

not solve the problem by not forgiving, and I

would become complicit in it and full of hatred

all my life.”

Tom & Maureen Hoban

Our ‘Highlights of Fatima’? The Masses in the Basilica were awe inspiring, with their processions of Cardinals, Bishops and Priests. The Choir and Musicians provided wonderful accompaniment.

At the Transatlantic Mass, which we were privileged to introduce, the choir gave a rousing rendition of ‘When the Saints go Marching in’, for the Recessional Hymn.

Tony & Pat Banks

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During the week we focused on the theme of The Prodigal Son with

meditations every morning given by Fr Tolentino de Mendoça. All talks and

photos are available on the website http://www.teamsofourlady.org/fatima_2018

For an inspiring and different perspective (‘Eastern’ as opposed to ‘Western’) on this

familiar parable look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfmwgpAJBn4

Regional couple letter Highlights from Teams members

At the closing ceremony each couple

was given a small gift bag. During the

ceremony were opened the bag to find

two rings in a gift box. During the final

Mass we exchanged our marriage vows,

recommitting to each other. It was a very

moving experience and one that will stay

with us for many years.

Mark and Dympna Edwards

It was amazing how one parable can create such varied and deep thoughts as were expressed in the addresses by the clergy and members of teams in their testimonies and in our mixed team. Teams of Our Lady is spiritually and socially relevant in our world today, and we are now more able to share that message in our daily lives.

Katie & John McRae

Please" "Thank you" and "Sorry."

The parable of the Prodigal Son reminds families

that we all need forgiveness. And we need to openly

ask for it as the son does. Pope Francis, in one of

his Wednesday audiences, spoke of three words he

considers to be "the key words for the family":

"please" "thank you" and ""sorry." Words that are

certainly simple, but difficult to put into practice

Tom and Maureen Hoban

Middlesbrough

Team

One highlight was the candlelit proces-

sion - an outward sign of inner grace.