December 2024

"Attending this marriage retreat was a great way for us to deepen our faith and reconnect as a couple. The retreat prompted us to have thoughtful reflections and meaningful conversations that we would not have had otherwise. We left the retreat more grateful for each other and with a stronger conviction towards our marriage vocation. This 1.5 day marriage retreat was time well spent!" - Nick & Jeannine Clayton

"We have had the privilege of attending the SCS-sponsored Willwoods Married Couples Retreat for the past two years, and each experience has been a true blessing. These retreats have been invaluable for our spiritual growth as a couple, providing us with an annual ‘check-up’ for our marriage. They allow us to step away from daily distractions and focus deeply on each other in a faith-centered environment. The availability of Mass, Confession, and Adoration, along with insightful and engaging presentations, has greatly enriched our faith and strengthened our bond. Set on the beautiful grounds of St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, the retreat offers not only a serene atmosphere but also delicious food and comfortable accommodations. Each time, we’ve returned home with renewed faith, a stronger connection, and a refreshed spirit, ready to continue our journey together."  - Mike & Dottie Ellis

"We had a great experience on the parish marriage retreat. It was nice to get away to a quiet place where the grounds were beautiful, and conversation with other couples from SCS was enriching. It gave us the opportunity to reconnect and focus just on us. The speakers were awesome, sharing the same kinds of challenges many marriages experience. It’s never a good time to get away, but the fruits of a marriage retreat benefit the entire family." - Rob & Lorraine Hess

"Prior to the retreat, we spent years speeding through the motions of our responsibilities.   Our years in marriage were flying by like a blur!   We were neglecting to take the time to stop, discuss our marriage and make a few intentional changes.  After years of being married, we had developed a few habits that were not the best for us.  We knew we wanted more!    More connection!  More peace!  We knew something had to change, and we wanted to make that adjustment.  We signed up to attend the St. Catherine’s Marriage Retreat at Willwoods Community.  This was exactly the break from our routines that our marriage needed.   The retreat provided us the opportunity to slow down our lives and connect.   The couples who spoke during the sessions provided us with stories of HOPE!   Most didn’t sugar coat that marriage was a commitment that required us working with GOD and not each of us working individually.  The weekend was a balance of guided sessions and time spent with each other and GOD.  For us, the retreat was a great reset tool.   We committed to new habits that we are still using today!  We recommend that every married couple give yourself the gift of your best marriage!" - Vinson & Wendy Knight

"We signed up for the marriage retreat when we were only a few months married. We had each been pretty involved in individual faith formation activities, but we had not experienced formation as a couple besides our marriage preparation. We were excited to attend the retreat but had little expectation or knowledge of what it would be like. We both came away from the weekend refreshed and excited with what we took from it. The talks by the couples were real, relatable and moving.  We really appreciated the candidness of the topics they covered. There were also some resources we were given that we still look at and use today. We both came away with an appreciation and desire to pray more together as a couple. We would definitely recommend this experience to any married couple. It was time away from the day to day to dedicate love and attention to your spouse and grow closer to one another through Christ." - Patrick & Colleen Lamy