Embrace: Marriage Renewal Retreat is an evening designed to allow couples to honestly reflect on the state of their relationship and recommit themselves to God and each other. 
The evening retreat is broken into three parts: 
  1. Where did you come from? The couples will be led through a series of stories that are meant to help them remember why they fell in love with each other in the first place.
  2. How did you get to where you are? We will discuss four common traits that couples bring into marriages. The way these issues are dealt with often determine the success or failure of their relationship. This portion of the evening will encourage the couples to confront what they have been ignoring. Then we will take a short break, allowing the couples to privately examine where they want their relationship to be.
  3. How do you get there? After the break, four points are discussed that will help the couples move from where they are to where they want to be. Tangible tips and lessons are presented.  ​
 The evening ends with a priest- or deacon-led renewal of their marriage vows. We will send couples home with ideas for finding opportunities for growth in their marriage and family within their own communities.
The BAR is a ministry designed to provide community and encouragement to married couples of all ages and life experiences. Although the ministry is primarily intended for married couples, it is not uncommon to have engaged couples or even a priest or two show up. This monthly gathering was created and implemented by Chris and Linda Padgett in their home parish, and over the next year, Catholic FAM would roll this out in parishes throughout the diocese. 

What will be provided:
  • Training video’s for leadership team to assist in the planning.
  • Twelve video reflections to be used as discussion starters for each evening.
  • Ongoing support from CatholicFAM.
Proposed schedule for the BAR:
  1. Gathering and Welcoming
  2. Watch provided video (roughly 5-8 minutes) as a large group.
  3. Allow a few minutes of personal reflection time where each person can write their answers on a bar napkin and share with their spouse. (The questions will be fun and light.)    
  4. Couples will then have the opportunity to share their answers with the rest of the group. This is primarily where the community bond is built.
  5. Social gathering time. To end whenever people leave.