Equipping newly married couples to grow together and build strong, faithful families.
The first years of marriage can be filled with joy, growth, and new challenges.
In his pastoral letter, Only One Thing Is Necessary, Archbishop Hebda reminds the faithful that the Church is called to accompany families in both their struggles and their joys. “You are not alone,” he writes.
One way the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis walks alongside families is through the annual Newly Married Retreat, which accompanies couples through the first seven years of marriage. These early years statistically carry the highest risk of divorce. Through the Catholic Services Appeal, couples have access to experienced speakers and practical guidance as they navigate the joys and challenges of these formative years.
At the 2026 retreat, nationally known authors and speakers Renzo and Monica Ortega of Two Become Family helped couples explore communication around intimacy in marriage. Marriage counselor Todd Mulliken shared three keys for couples to grow together, while Renee Oakes, Director of Marriage, Family, and Life at the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, addressed the ways health can affect fertility and the challenges of infertility and recurrent miscarriage as the number of couples struggling to conceive or carry to term grows.
Through these conversations, expert guidance, and time spent with other newly married couples, the retreat offers more than practical advice. It reminds couples that they are not alone—and that the Church is here to accompany them as they grow together in love and holiness.
The accompaniment of these couples helps set a firm foundation for the future of the Church. Strong marriages form holy domestic churches where faith is nurtured, lived, and passed on to the next generation.
Thank you for supporting marriages and families throughout our archdiocese!
