Coffs Harbour Mission Area of North 2 Chapter Celebrates the Success of Marriage Enrichment Retreat 2
Strong marriages do not grow by accident. They grow through grace, honest reflection, practical learning, and the steady support of a faith community.
The Marriage Enrichment Retreat is an invitation for CFCA couples who have completed MER 1 to take the next step in renewing their covenant, strengthening communication, and growing together in Christ. It builds on the foundations already received in MER 1, while creating space for deeper prayer, clearer conversations, and renewed commitment.
A retreat that continues the journey after MER 1
MER 1 opens the door to a deeper understanding of marriage as a Christian vocation. MER 2 continues that journey by helping couples look more closely at daily married life.
The retreat does not offer abstract ideas only. It brings together Scripture, Catholic teaching, practical guidance, couple reflection, and community support. This helps husbands and wives bring faith into ordinary moments, such as decision-making, parenting, intimacy, conflict, forgiveness, and shared service.
Participants describe the retreat as refreshing because it gives couples time, they rarely get at home. Away from routines and distractions, they can listen to each other with more patience and pray with more focus.
One attendee, Sis. Che Grandeza shared:
My takeaway for this MER2: I’m able to appreciate my husband more. As brothers and sisters, aside from being a prayer community we’ve been able to have a deeper relationship. We’ve got to know each other more. Grateful for this opportunity.
Another reflected, Sis. Vanessa Patunob:
Yesterday, we finished attending Marriage Encounter Retreat 2, and we are truly grateful for the beautiful experience.
We highly recommend this retreat to all married couples. It gave us the opportunity to pause from the busyness of life, reconnect with each other, and most importantly, strengthen our relationship with Jesus at the centre of our marriage and family.
It reminded us that raising children can be challenging, but with faith, patience, love, and God’s guidance, we can continue to grow together—not only as parents but also as husband and wife.
For those who haven’t attended Marriage Encounter Retreat 1 (MER1) yet, we truly hope you take the opportunity when you can. It’s a beautiful chance to step away from our busy lives, spend meaningful time with your spouse, and allow God to work in your marriage.
We’re leaving this retreat with a renewed heart, a deeper appreciation for each other, and a stronger desire to build a family rooted in faith, love, forgiveness, and Christ.
Highly recommended for every married couple!
Prayer creates the right beginning
Prayer is at the heart of MER 2. The retreat includes both personal prayer and communal prayer, giving couples time to meet God individually and as husband and wife.
Prayer also prepares the heart for the teachings. It helps couples receive the talks not as lectures, but as invitations to conversion, healing, and growth.
The six MER 2 talks offer faith and practical guidance
The teaching sessions are a central part of the retreat. Each talk explores a key area of married life, blending biblical principles with real-life guidance couples can use at home.
What Makes a Christian Marriage Work (by Bro. Chester & Sis. Phoebe Salcedo)
This talk looks at the heart of Christian marriage. It reminds couples that love is not only a feeling, but a covenant lived through daily choices.
Couples reflect on faithfulness, sacrifice, forgiveness, and the grace that comes from putting Christ at the centre of married life.
Unity in Marriage (by Bro. Raffy & Sis. Nympha Tagudar)
Unity does not mean sameness. This session helps couples understand how two people with different personalities, histories, and preferences can grow as one.
It encourages shared goals, mutual respect, and practical ways to make decisions together.
Communication in Marriage (by Bro. Bong & Sis. Rose Ampon)
Communication often shapes the health of a home. This talk focuses on listening, speaking with care, and handling conflict without blame or withdrawal.
Couples are encouraged to practise honesty with kindness, especially when conversations are difficult.
Sex in Marriage (by Bro. Jojo & Sis. Norie Fajardo)
This session approaches marital intimacy with reverence and maturity. It presents sex in marriage as a gift that expresses love, unity, openness, and commitment.
The talk helps couples reflect on intimacy with faith, respect, and sensitivity.
Christian Parenting (by Bro. Ted & Sis Jo Celestino)
For couples raising children, parenting can be both joyful and demanding. This talk explores how parents can form children in faith, love, discipline, and example.
It also reminds couples that the marriage relationship itself shapes the spiritual climate of the home.
Empowering Our Marriage (by Bro. Vitt & Sis. Donna Lim)
The final talk invites couples to carry the retreat experience into daily life. It encourages husbands and wives to keep growing through prayer, service, dialogue, and support from the CFCA community.
This session helps couples see their marriage as a source of strength for family, church, and mission.
A renewed invitation to grow together
For the six CFCA couples from Coffs Harbour who have completed MER 1, MER 2 is a meaningful next step. It offers time to rebuild where needed, strengthen what is already good, and rediscover the joy of walking together as husband and wife.
A weekend set aside for marriage can bear fruit long after the retreat ends. The conversations continue at home. The prayers become part of family life. The fellowship becomes support for the journey ahead.
The success of Marriage Enrichment Retreats has come from more than planning. It has come from the prayerful service, open hearts and the grace of God working through the couples, leaders and members of the North 2 Chapter headed by Bro. Ted & Sis Jo Celestino and the guidance of Bro. Vitt and Sis. Donna Lim, Cluster Head of North Cluster.
Below are the photos taken during the retreat by Bro. Alvin Soriano.
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