Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) is the original faith-based marriage enrichment program since 1968. The Fr. Chuck Gallagher, S. J. Legacy Fund was created to honor the founding Father of WWME and to ensure that his work continues. It is an endowment to support the dream of our family strengthening ministry.  

So, what is our dream? That new generations of married couples and priests have the opportunity to live the great gift of the WWME Experience and that our movement thrives for the next 50 years and beyond!

Fr. Chuck Gallagher called WWME, "the best lay-leadership training in the Church." This fund, named in his honor, offers a priceless investment to continually train couples and priests and provide life-giving experiences and leadership preparation for the movement. It is a living fund that embodies Fr. Chuck's passion to provide experiences to couples and priests here in the United States and all over the world.  

WWME presents a positive, hopeful, Christ-centered view of the Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders. To continue in our mission, we are seeking crucial support by strong partners, like you, who can invest in the Fr. Chuck Gallagher, S.J. Legacy Fund so that couples and priests can receive training and continue to bless others by providing the best possible Experiences and to provide leadership training for the movement.

Today, we are asking for your help. Every dollar contributed to the #iGiveCatholic campaign means more money is available in the regions and local encounters to offer volunteer training for couples and priests. 

This year, we are again celebrating the legacy of a beloved WWME volunteer priest, Fr. Tom Ogg, who was also the creator of this transformative fund. As a dedicated servant leader to our ministry, Fr. Tom embraced the history of WWME and its future. He recognized how powerful WWME is to strengthen relationship and build community. His heavenly birthday is November 30th, and he would have celebrated 85 this year!

Let's honor Fr. Tom's lifetime of service and help strengthen marriages, empower priests and renew faith around the world. Your generous giving will help us continue building strong marriages and vibrant communities rooted in God's love.

Please consider making a gift of:

🌟 $85 in his memory

🌟 $55 to celebrate his years as an ordained priest and WWME volunteer

🌟 $30 to provide workbooks and materials for 1 couple and 1 priest

🌟 $20 to equip 1 couple and 1 priest with training resources

Last year, 4,681 couples and 44 priests attended their first workshop. Even more extraordinary is that 13,424 couples and 180 priests participated in our ministry across 274 dioceses throughout the U.S. and Canada. As a ministry powered by volunteers, married couples and priests experienced our ministry for the very first time at 379 weekends throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The Catholic Faith is built on one foundational truth: God is Love. Building a stronger Church through loving relationships is what WWME is all about. Whether you are a married couple or a priest, our core experiences can enrich your life with new insights on how God manifests himself in your relationship with others. Together, faith and communities grow stronger.  

By providing the tools and resources to our dedicated ministry volunteers through the Fr. Chuck Gallagher, S.J. Legacy Fund, we are investing in the next generation of servant leaders in the movement, to build upon the family strengthening ministry that began in the United States over 50 years ago. 

Let's dream big together!  Happy Birthday, Fr. Tom! 😇