Marriage enrichment
All marriages need to be nurtured and strengthened. We encourage married couples to get connected with their parish for local marriage enrichment initiatives. In addition, there are several resources that we recommend, see the list below. If you have questions or if there is anything else we can do to help, please reach out to us.
Marriage Resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Marriage Enrichment and Support
Cana Family Institute
Cana Family Institute partners with Catholic parishes, schools, and diocesan leaders to build strong Catholic marriages and families using an enlightening curriculum and accompaniment approach by engaging and transforming the family for Christ and the Church. The Cana Experience focuses on forming parents of young children from birth to 5th grade through regular small group gatherings and annual Advent and Lenten retreats.
Cana Feast
Cana Feast is a resource for virtual retreats and supportive community, dedicated to uplifting and inspiring Catholic couples to live their sacramental marriage with faith, hope and love. Please see their website for more information.
Discovering our Deepest Desire
Discovering our Deepest Desire is a program designed for all couples, from those with strong marriages to those who are struggling. Couples will grow in their marriage with the support of their faith community alongside them. Written in 2013, the marriage curriculum has been implemented in numerous churches. The program works to build marriage teams in parishes while presenting the enrichment curriculum to couples. The DODD curriculum can be presented over 12 sessions, 7 sessions, or an extended weekend.
Retrouvaille Program
Retrouvaille Program – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue… or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. This program has helped 10’s of 1000’s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. For more information or to register for an upcoming weekend program, call 513-486-6222 or visit the web site at www.HelpOurMarriage.com
Beloved
Beloved is a video series offered through FORMED from the Augustine Institute that is excellent for couples seeking to enrich their marriage. It beautifully presents the “Mystery and Meaning of Marriage” in 6 videos for part 1 and then the more practical “Living Marriage” in 6 videos for part 2. It is completely faithful to the teaching of the Catholic Church and draws from the rich deposit of the faith and couples’ personal experiences to better understand and live the Sacrament of Marriage. It can be an effective tool for evangelization and ongoing conversion.
Alpha Marriage
Alpha Marriage is not a Catholic program, but has been used in a Catholic context successfully to evangelize couples disconnected from Christ and His Church. The program was developed by evangelical Anglicans in Britain and has been used by various Christian affiliations throughout many countries. It is intentionally generic theologically, drawing from scriptural and universal principles to help couples develop healthier marital relationships. It uses a series of videos interspersed with time for discussion. The primary focus of Alpha is to create a welcoming atmosphere, combined with engaging and enriching material, to more effectively build relationships and evangelize.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
The Marriage Encounter experience is a skill-building enrichment program where together, you, as husband and wife, learn how to be the best couple you can be. Over a weekend or in seven three-hour sessions, the Marriage Encounter experience will give you the tools to remain strong as a couple and be a united force to provide a stable and loving environment for your children. As you become empty-nesters, you can use the same tools to continue growing and thriving in your relationship, living a lifetime love.
Springs in the Desert
Springs in the Desert – We are honored to accompany you in your struggle with infertility and loss. Together as a community, we share in the hope that God is transforming our suffering into fruitfulness.
Building a Eucharistic Marriage
Building a Eucharistic Marriage is a 7-part online video series that connects 7 areas for therapeutically strengthening your marriage with 7 areas of deepening your relationship with Christ through the Eucharist. There are options for couples who want to purchase an individual copy for home use or for parishes who would like to purchase a license for running the video series at their parish. The Parish License comes with a leaders’ guide, unlimited participant guides, as well as advertising options and participant discounts on their own copy of the program.
Retreats for Married Couples
All married couples are invited to attend the Marriage Day Celebration Retreat at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Liberty Township on September 20, 2025 from 9:15 am to 6:00 pm. Join national speakers Jeff & Donna Garrett and Courtney Brown. Connect with your spouse, celebrate Mass, renew commitment, worship in Adoration, and have the opportunity for Confession. A light breakfast and lunch is provided, and there will be a reception after the Vigil Mass. The cost is $110 per couple by 9/8, $120 after 9/8. Register online and contact John Carter by email at [email protected] with any questions.
Married Couples’ Retreat
Married couples are invited to attend a retreat at Mary Queen of Peace retreat center in Memphis, TN that will take place October 17-19, 2025. The cost is $400 per couple and this covers the room and all the meals for the weekend. It also includes formal dance lessons on Saturday evening. The hosts of the retreat include Fr. Jacob DuMont LC, of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and Ryan and Mary Rose Verret of Witness to Love. Register online and contact Fr. DuMont by email at [email protected] with any questions.
