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Catholic engaged retreats?

sndietzsndietz
100 Comments
in Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul

I am wondering which ones other Catholics have attended (Living God's Love, Catholic Engaged Encounter, Fully Engaged, etc.) and how you liked them.  Living God's Love is probably the most convenient location-wise, but I'm afraid it is more religious than the others?  I would love your reviews!

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Re: Catholic engaged retreats?

  • newlyseliskinewlyseliski member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    I attended Living God's Love.  It's best that you attend whichever one that your parish requires, unless they give you an option!  We didn't have an option.  At the retreat, they do teach on the religious aspect of marriage, your faith as a couple and introduce NFP.  Additionally, they cover finances, communication, everyday life, have a Q&A session with a panel of different married couples and provide a lot of time for you to discuss things one-on-one with your fiance.

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  • AshP12AshP12
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We went through Christian Marriage Ministries (they have a retreat specifically for engaged Catholics). The main speaker is someone I had heard talk before, and I really like him. The retreat can be split up either 5 Tuesday evenings or one Friday evening and one Saturday from 8:30 - 3:00. We did the full weekend one to get it over with. Though it got boring towards the end from sitting for so long, it was overall very good. I wouldn't call it overly religious, though that theme is there. They talked a lot about conflict resolution, which was especially helpful because we discussed it with other couples in our group--it's nice to know everyone has arguments, and other couples often have very helpful ideas. They had less of an emphasis on budgeting and spirituality which was somewhat frustrating because he was so good and detailed on the conflict issues, but overall, a very good retreat. Highly recommended!
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  • srdavis21srdavis21 member
    Seventh Anniversary 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    We attended Living Gods Love and left a bit frustrated with some of the comments/points of view that were given because we felt like we were really looked down upon.  (I know...it's a Catholic retreat, so of course because we live together we probably are looked down upon by the Catholic Church but I think in this day and age it should be acknowledged that couples do live together before marriage and that not all couples who live together beforehand will end up in divorce.)  Anyway, I wouldn't recommend it, but did hear really great things about the Christian Marriage Ministries retreat and would point you in that direction.
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