What's it all about

Open to all married couples, no matter what age, walk of life or ethnic backgrounds. There are no borders and some may be separated or even divorced, but want to try again. All these couples come together with one thing in common, a sincere desire to build a strong and loving marriage. Merely by reading this material you have taken a step in the right direction and Retrouvaille’s programs can help you to begin again the art of rediscovery, the art of Retrouvaille. (For purposes of our program, Retrouvaille defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman.)

For the rest of your life you could chart time from this weekend forward, either pre or post Retrouvaille and that will make all the difference. You will begin with a weekend experience in which husbands and wives are helped to re-establish effective communication and to gain new insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple.

A team of three veteran couples and a priest facilitate the initial  retreat. Upon completion of the weekend, couples attend six follow-up sessions. These sessions are crucial to marriage recovery and focus more directly on causes and conditions of who we are as individuals as well as how we relate as couples. The presenting couples share their stories of pain, disillusionment, struggle, conflict and anger. As you hear their stories, the message of hope rises from the ashes of dispair. You will find courage and strength in the realization that you are not alone in your brokeness and struggle, and that there are solutions to your problems. Weekend sessions are held at a local retreat facility.

The weekend is not a spiritual retreat, not a sensitivity group, not a seminar, not a social gathering, nor is it counseling. It is a very private experience between you and your spouse, and although you will be in a group setting for the presentation you will be only with your spouse for couple sharing. You will not be asked to share your problems with anyone else. You will be encouraged to look forward and leave the past in the past, to work together to heal your relationship and rediscover a new and better way to relate to each other.

A follow-up series of presentations, which provides a nuetral time and place to work on your relationship, is an integral  part of the healing process. This second phase of the Retrouvaille program offers a more relaxed setting to consider other subjects relating to marriage and love, to reaffirm  your commitment, and to develop and expand new insights awareness and skills.
Among the areas to be covered the following topics will be explored during the post-weekend phase:

• Building a Healthy Marriage
• Listening and Communication
• Family of Origin, Personality Styles
• Needs, Expectations, Values, Personal Relationship with God
• Love and Commitment
• Forgiveness and Trust
• Managing Conflict
• Intimacy
• Sexuality
• The Sacrament of Marriage
• Marriage in the Community

We are not alone in this struggle and the support and interaction of likeminded couples that have also walked a similar path is imperative to continue the healing process. Once completing the Weekend and Post-Weekend phases of Retrouvaille, you will find the support group called C.O.R.E. and it is an invaluable and helpful link for continued healing. 

C.O.R.E  is offered as a time for interaction with other couples who are seeking to improve their relationships. This group offers continued support and encouragement as you grow as a community with other couples who have completed the program.