Diocesan News

Deanery Vocations afternoon: Our Deanery Vocation team invites all Confirmation candidates and youth to attend the Deanery Vocations afternoon on Sunday 3 May at 14:00 at St Martin de Porres Parish, Gelvandale.  We strongly encourage all young Catholics to attend as part of their ongoing faith formation journey.

Married Couples Retreat: The Diocese of Port Elizabeth’s Pastoral Development Office invites married couples across our deanery to our annual Married Couples Retreat, taking place on Saturday, 16 May from 09:00 to 12:00 at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Malabar. This year’s theme, “Growing as a Synodal Catholic Family in Parish and Community”, will be facilitated by Fr. Luvuyo Madikane. The retreat offers couples a sacred space to reflect, reconnect, and deepen their faith journey together in a spirit of synodality. For registration details email pdo@cdpe.co.za or WhatsApp 079 977 1455 (messages only).

Retrouvaille Weekend: The presenting team, three couples and a priest or pastor couple presents a technique of communication that enables you to take a good look at many areas of your relationship. The team provides practical tools for improving your marriage. Unlike marriage counsellors, they will share how they were able to benefit from these techniques themselves. After each presentation you will have time for reflection and discussion in complete privacy with your spouse. The next Retrouvaille Weekend will take place in Port Elizabeth from 24-26 April 2026.  For confidential information about Retrouvaille visit our website at www.helpourmarriage.com, or to register for the next weekend please click here or phone 072 783 6785 and we will gladly help you.

Engaged Encounter Weekend: Our Diocese will be hosting an Engaged Encounter Weekend, on 9 to 10 May 2026. The weekend is intended for engaged couples who wish to get married in the next 8 months. The Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend is a retreat for couples preparing for marriage within the Catholic tradition. The primary goal is to strengthen the couple’s bond and understanding of each other as they prepare for marriage, all within a supportive Catholic Christian context. This weekend aims to provide a foundation for a strong, faith-centred marriage. Click here to register.