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Be More:

A Marriage Formation Retreat

En Español

 

 

 

Be More: A Marriage Formation Retreat by Witness to Love was developed to provide couples a pathway to grow in community, identity and understanding their mission. To each and every couple preparing to receive and live out the Sacrament of Matrimony in today’s world – you were born for a time such as this and the grace of the sacrament is real! Let us walk with you, your mentors, and your church community as you prepare to be more in Christ!

This retreat is carefully curated and jam packed with 14 core lessons including videos and resources from engaging and relatable Marriage Champions from around the country.  Together, you will explore Theology topics and Life Skills topics as you grow closer to one another, Christ and his Church.  Review Be More Retreat course outline here.

Witness to Love offers 4 different Be More Retreat options for Couples, Parishes and Dioceses. Be More Retreat is only accessible to couples preparing for marriage at a Witness to Love parish (please contact your parish leader to provide access via a parish license) and couples completing WTL’s Virtual Pathway.

  1. Virtual Pathway for Couples ($125)- The complete Witness to Love Marriage Prep experience. The Virtual Pathway for Couples option includes a WTL Couples Marriage Prep set, access to Be More Retreat, and a coaching session with a WTL team member for couples and their mentors. Learn more about the Virtual Pathway here. Note: Be More Retreat is not available as an option on its own.
  2. Basic Parish Subscription ($150)- One time fee. The Basic Parish option includes online leader formation video course; unlimited licenses for couples to access Be More Retreat; technology cost; a Leader’s Guide with in-person retreat sample agenda; 50 copies of “The Catholic Wedding Ceremony Explained” Brochures & Additional Resources. Any parish utilizing Be More will need to enroll in this subscription for access. This option is also available to evangelizing spouses desiring to begin in home small groups utilizing Be More Retreat lessons and resources.
  3. Custom Parish/Diocese Subscription ($300)- One time fee. The Diocesan/Parish option includes customization of Be More (flyer, landing page, registration link & course lessons); unlimited licenses for couples to access Be More; covers the technology cost; a Leader’s Guide with in person retreat sample agenda; online leader formation video course; 50 copies of “The Catholic Wedding Explained” Brochures, sample agenda for diocesan and/or large parish Be More Retreat training day & Additional Resources.

Questions about which option is right for you? Contact us at parishsupport@witnesstolove.org

Enroll Today!

 

 

 

*Note: Couples and leaders currently enrolled in Be More will continue to have access. As of Monday March 20, 2023, new users will need to be enrolled through their Parish or Diocese subscription or by going through our Virtual Pathway

Please contact our Parish Support team at parishsupport@witnesstolove.org with any questions.

Featured Presenters

Ryan and Mary Rose Verret

Mary-Rose & Ryan Verret are the co-founders of Witness to Love and the authors of Witness to Love: How to Help the Next Generation Build Marriages that Survive and Thrive. Together Ryan and Mary-Rose speak on issues regarding evangelization, marriage, and disciples-hip. In June 2021 the Verrets were invited by the Vatican to present at the International Forum: Where do we stand with Amoris Laetitia? – on the impact of men-tor couples in evangelization. They are frequent guests on Catholic TV and radio and they reside in the heart of Cajun Country in Louisiana with their five children. Their passion is teaching couples to share their marriage with others and to understand that their home is a missionary outpost of the local parish.

Ryan and Mary Rose

 

picture of priest

Fr. Benjamin Tran

Fr. Benjamin Tran is a much beloved priest in the Diocese of Orange, California, where he grew up. It was during high school that he felt a “nudge” to consider the priesthood and entered Queen of Angels Seminary High School in San Fernando, California. He explored a different path for a time after graduation but then while in college experienced a deep revelation and clarity of God’s healing mercy in his life. The Holy Spirit compelled him to seriously consider again the priesthood. After a time of prayer and discernment, he entered St. John’s Seminary College and Theology in Camarillo where he completed his undergraduate studies and continued on to receive his theological degree. Fr. Ben was ordained a priest on June 10, 2006 and has been serving at various parishes in the Diocese of Orange since then. He loves to sing, play guitar, and lead worship. Fr. Ben also loves the outdoors, whether it be hiking, camping, playing sports, or traveling. He is known to even skydive on occasion.

Alex and Sarah Schimpf

Alex and Sarah Schimpf live in Oklahoma City, OK, where Alex works as the Director of Marriage and Family Life Ministry for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Sarah is a freelance event planner and a stay-at-home mom. They have been married for 10 years and have been blessed with four children: Xavier(9), Gideon (7), Edith (5), and Antigone (1.5). Together they also serve as the Regional Couple for the Domestic Church Movement.

Jeff and Daniela Mazzone

Jeff and Daniela Mazzone live one hour north of New York City with their two daughters, ages four and one.  They married in 2015, and are passionate about supporting marriages, having experienced the breakdown of the family in their own families of origin. Born in New York City, Daniela is the youngest child of immigrant parents from the Dominincan Republic. Before becoming the Spanish Support Team Leader for Witness to Love, she served for five years in the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of New York as the Assistant Coordinator for Spanish Programs.  Prior to meeting Daniela, Jeff studied to be a priest with the Archdiocese of Washington and then as a temporarily-professed Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (CFR).  He holds an M.A. in theology from St. Joseph’s Seminary, and currently leads music for several churches and ministries while finishing an M.A. degree online at Liberty University toward licensure as a clinical mental health counselor.

Richard Budd

Richard Budd is the director of Marriage and Family Life Ministry for the Diocese of Lansing, MI and a graduate of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family. He has served in Ministry for almost twenty years and much of his experience has been focused on helping people achieve their full potential as disciples of Jesus Christ. He speaks regularly to audiences on the gift and nature of the family and the co-responsible role of the Church with the Family to announce Jesus Christ to the culture. He has written for several publications including Humanum, Adoremus Bulletin, and Mosaic. He and his wife Maureen have been married five years and have three children: Eleanor (4), John Paul (2.5), and Benedict (10 months).

Tony and Liz Cotrupi

Tony and Liz Cotrupi have been married for 34 years; half-way there if you consider their parents have been married for 54 and 65 years respectively. They reside in Charlestown, MA. Liz is the Director of Family Life for the Archdiocese of Boston and Tony is a marketing consultant. As students of marriage, they got some things wrong and some things right as they raised three children, and now enjoy the blessing and privilege of being grandparents. Together with a team of great couples, they strive to prepare couples for life-long and grace filled marriages.

Craig and Stephanie Rapp

Craig and Stephanie Rapp met while they each attended college in different states. Craig pursued Stephanie and what began as a long distance friendship led to marriage two years later. Craig and Stephanie have now been married for eleven years and are blessed with three incredible children: Lilyana (6), Liam (4), and Logan (9 months). They live in Columbus, Ohio where Stephanie serves as the Director of Marriage & Family Life for the Diocese of Columbus and Craig works as a corporate attorney. Craig and Stephanie believe that each new day provides them with opportunities to love and new reasons to be grateful for each other and their marriage.

Bob Schuchts

Dr. Bob Schuchts

Bob Schuchts [Ph. D.) is the founder of the John Paul II Healing Center, where he and his team provide healing and equipping conferences for married couples, clergy, religious and lay leaders.  Bob has been serving married couples for the past 40 years, as a marital therapist and conference speaker.  Bob and Jake Khym have a popular podcast entitled: Restore the Glory at:   www.restoretheglorypodcast.com.  Bob is the author of several books including Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion and Communion in Your Marriage; Real Suffering: Finding Hope and Healing in the Trials of Life; Be Healed: Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life and Be Transformed: The Healing Power of the Sacraments.  These and recorded talks and workbooks on marriage and healing are available through www.jpiihealingcenter.org.  Bob and his wife Margie were married for forty-two years before she passed away in 2017. Bob has two grown daughters who are married and serve in the ministry at the John Paul II Healing Center. He also has 8 grandchildren.

Dr. Kerry and Peter Pound

Dr. Kerry and Peter Pound met while completing degrees at Oxford University.  The beauty of the university provided an amazing atmosphere to have incredibly deep, probing conversations about the meaning of life and God — leading to Peter’s conversion to the Catholic Church prior to leaving Oxford.  Peter and Kerry were married in Montreal while in medical and law school and have been married 19 years and are parents to four wonderful children — Charlie, 15yo; Amelia 13yo; William 8yo, Francis 6yo.  They reside north of Boston and are trying to live their faith in all aspects of life while raising dynamic Catholic kids.  Dr. Kerry Pound worked in the pediatric emergency room during most of her career. In 2018-2019, she became a medical consultant with Creighton Fertility Awareness and in June of 2020, she did medical training with FEMM to expand her ability to diagnose and treat hormonal issues affecting young women. She currently works with MyCatholicDoctor.com as well as being the medical director at the Gordon College Health Clinic.

Deacon Eric and LInda Paige

Deacon Eric and Linda Paige

Deacon Eric and Linda Paige have been married for 26 years and have been blessed with two wonderful daughters. Deacon Eric Directs the Marriage, Family Life and Formation Department for the Archdiocese of Seattle. He also writes for Northwest Catholic magazine and teaches on subjects including Catholic Social Teaching, Faith Formation, Morality and Scripture. Linda teaches the 2nd grade at All Saints School in Puyallup Washington where she encourages parents to be the first teachers of their children. Deacon Eric may be reached at eric.paige@seattlearch.org

Art and Laraine Bennett

Art Bennett is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. He was also the co-founder of the Alpha Omega Clinics in Maryland and Virginia. Art has more than 30 years of experience in the mental health field and is a frequent speaker on marriage and family issues. Laraine Bennett has a master’s degree in philosophy and currently is Communications Manager for the National Council of Catholic Women.  Together, the Bennetts have co-authored five books: The Temperament God Gave You, The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse, The Temperament God Gave Your Kids, The Emotions God Gave You, and Tuned In: The Power of Pressing Pause and Listening. Laraine also wrote A Year of Grace: 365 Reflections for Caregivers.  They have lived in California and Germany and recently downsized to live in a 1940s townhome in Arlington. They have four adult children and five grandchildren.

Dr. Daniel and Bethany Meola

Dr. Daniel Meola is an adult child of divorce who earned his Ph.D. in Theology of Marriage and Family from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. He has been leading retreats and support groups for adult children of divorce or separation since 2015 in the Archdiocese of Washington, and in 2018 he founded Life-Giving Wounds to spread the retreat, support groups, and other ministry to adult children of divorce or separation around the country.  Bethany Meola has a master of theological studies degree from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. She and Dan met there and married in 2011. Bethany served the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for seven years in the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.  Dr. Daniel and Bethany Meola live in Bowie, MD and are members of Teams of Our Lady, an international marriage apostolate.  In 2017, Dan and Bethany welcomed their daughter Zelie-Louise through the gift of adoption, and Bethany became a stay-at-home mom. And in 2019, Grace joined their family, also through adoption. Bethany assists with many of the behind-the-scenes operations of Life-Giving Wounds.

John and Lauren Prust

John and Lauren Prust live with their son in San Diego, CA, where John directs the diocesan family life office and Lauren works in commercial real estate. They are also active in marriage preparation and young family ministries at their home parish.  They received M.Div. degrees in theology from Boston College (Catholic) and from Boston University (Protestant) respectively; in preparing for marriage, they followed the guidelines of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church. They are passionate about helping engaged and newly married couples navigate the blessings and challenges of an ecumenical or interfaith marriage.

Father Matt Williams

Fr. Matt Williams is a priest of Jesus Christ for the Archdiocese of Boston, and currently serves as the pastor of St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph Catholic Collaborative in Quincy, MA. Fr. Matt has been a priest for over sixteen years, serving as a parochial vicar at St. Mary’s in Dedham, a variety of roles in youth, young adult and family ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston, and recently (prior to becoming pastor) as chaplain for the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage. Fr. Matt has been involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for more than twenty years and is a founding member and chaplain of LIFT Ministries, a monthly intergenerational gathering where participants encounter the Lord Jesus through the Eucharist, His Word, Praise and Worship, and the gathered community. Fr. Matt has a great passion to preach the Gospel, especially to youth and young adults; helping them to relate the Gospel to their daily lives.

What participating couples are saying about Be More Marriage Formation Retreat:

“Be More offered valuable information and insight into the inner and outer workings of marriage and allowed a more introspective look at our own union and the future we are trying to set up.”  Married Couple, Manchester, NH

 

“Be More is insightful on how to center your marriage around God even when dealing with subjects that we might think do not obtain God such as finances.”  Engaged Couple, Venice, FL

 

“Every presentation was impactful and important to us. The Lesson that was most impactful was lesson 5 because I never thought of our family being considered the domestic church. When looking at it that way it changes the way we view our roles as husband and wife.”  Engaged Couple, Lafayette, La

 

“We appreciated the depth of the Be More lessons on the various topics that are truly pivotal in creating a strong foundation within our marriage. We also appreciated all the resources linked in the lessons. We look forward to revisiting them overtime in our marriage.” Engaged Couple, Detroit, MI

 

“Be More Lesson 4 on the Beatitudes impacted me the most. It really hit home with me when the presenter talked about how the blessing at the end of your wedding ceremony serves as a roadmap for the rest of your life and then described each way this is true.  That was really meaningful for me and for some reason made it all the more real.” Engaged Couple, Boston, MA

 

“Be More really makes you think about and discuss certain topics in-depth that may have not come up during everyday discussion, as well as things that we may not have realized could cause arguments down the road if we don’t discuss them ahead of time. For example, how our upbringing and the way our families interacted growing up may influence how we interact with spouses and their family. It also makes you think about uncomfortable topics that are very important to discuss before going into a marriage, such as pornography use or addiction, or traits that you yourself carry that aren’t necessarily Christ-like or helpful towards a happy marriage. The discussion questions throughout/at the bottom of every page help keep you engaged while also prompting some of the discussions over things we may not have discussed before.” Engaged Couple, Charleston, SC