* Retreats for marriage preparation may be attended at any location. If retreats in our area are full, please widen your search. 

Marriage does matter. After all, we’re all in this together. As members of society, we count on each other every day to keep our commitments. We feel more secure when we can depend on others.

Although marriage has changed a great deal in the U.S., the benefits of marriage endure. Social science research confirms that marriage is an important social good that brings a wide range of positive outcomes for adults and children alike. Some benefits of marriage are:

• On average, married people are better off financially.
• Marriage is associated with better health, sex and safety for men and women.
• Children do better when they live with their own two married parents.

Congratulations! You have chosen a wonderful vocation for your lives.
Catholics believe Marriage is a Sacrament - a visible, living sign of your union together founded upon the love of Christ. It is a sign to the world of the covenantal (sacred and permanent) relationship into which God has called the two of you. Because your marriage is that kind of sign, it will have an effect on everything about you. Likewise, it will have varying effects on everyone you know. In short, you do not marry in private.

It is our hope to affirm your decision to marry, to provide resources to support you, and to provide opportunities for you to create supportive relationships within our faith community.

The Church requires a - minimum of six months - before marrying you.
Most couples give themselves at least one year to prepare to marry. 

Whether you are engaged or already civilly married, we do require all couples to attend a marriage preparation retreat. Retreats begin on Friday evenings and end on Sunday afternoon - this is a weekend just for you! You may attend a retreat in any area. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND "MARRIAGE CLASSES" because retreats provide private time - away from distractions - for intimate conversations and reflection. INVEST IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP.

Register for your retreat using the links to the right. Which retreat do you need?
If you are civilly married but not living together, please attend Catholic Engaged Encounter.

Engaged Couples attend Catholic Engaged Encounter
Catholic Engaged Encounter is an in-depth, private, personal, marriage preparation experience within the context of Catholic faith and values. Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend retreat away with other engaged couples with plenty of time alone together to dialogue honestly and intensively about their prospective lives together-- their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, their attitudes about money, sex, children, family, their role in the church and society--in a face to face way.

The weekend is open to any engaged couple wanting to prepare for a deeper, more meaningful life together in a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church according to its Church law. 

Civilly Married Couples attend Worldwide Marriage Encounter
If you are currently in a civil marriage and are planning to marry in the Catholic Church (marriage convalidation) to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, YES! This is the Weekend for you! (A certificate can be provided for your church pastor as well.) 

The Weekend gives busy couples much needed time together to focus on each other and deepen their communication. After the Weekend couples often return to their life and families, refreshed, with renewed commitment to each other. 

Often we share that ideal Weekend couples are those going through life transitions:  recently married, expanding the family, job transitions, blended families, empty-nesters or couples facing retirement or illnesses - as well as civilly married couples preparing for the Sacrament. These are times when compassionate communication and listening matter the most!

Retrouvaille - Rediscover a loving relationship

• Do you feel lost, alone or bored in your marriage?
• Are you frustrated, hurt or angry with your spouse?
• Are you constantly fighting? Or, do you simply shut down?
• Have you thought about separation or divorce?
• Does talking about it only make it worse?

The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

It is NOT a retreat, counseling, or a sensitivity group. There are neither group dynamics nor group discussions on the weekend. It is not a time for hurting; it is a time for healing.

It IS for couples with marital problems including those who are considering marriage separation and those who are already separated or divorced that want marriage help.

Some couples come to Retrouvaille during the initial signs of a marriage problem. Other couples are in a state of despair and hopelessness when they attend the program.