Married Life Programs

There are many organizations which support, strengthen and work to heal marriages. Below are some which are present in the Diocese of Fargo.

Red River Retrouvaille – Help for Hurting Marriages

Retrouvaille is a three-month long program designed to assist couples in troubled marriages. Beginning with an intense weekend experience, husbands and wives will receive help to re-establish communication and restore trust and intimacy in their relationship.  The weekend is followed by six critical aftercare sessions that deepen the skills learned during the weekend and provide a foundation for the long-term health of the couple’s marriage.

Retrouvaille is open to any married couple struggling in their relationship regardless of faith tradition.

For more information about Retrouvaille, visit the Retrouvaille International website.

Upcoming Weekends

Below are listed Retrouvaille weekends both in Fargo and the surrounding region. Click on the date and location for more weekend information or to register. For payment, follow instructions below.

RED RIVER RETROUVAILLE UPCOMING WEEKEND:

• OCTOBER 2-4, 2020: Fargo, ND
• March 5-7, 2021: Fargo, ND

In addition to registering on the Retrouvaille International website for the weekend in Fargo, a $200 per couple non-refundable deposit needs to be made on the Retrouvaille payments page.  To find out more please call 701-356-7962. Red River Retrouvaille is sponsored by the Diocese Fargo.

To financially support Red River Retrouvaille, visit the Red River Retrouvaille Donation page.

Surrounding Area Upcoming Weekends:

• July 31-August 2, 2020: Minneapolis, MN - Full
• September 18-20, 2020: St. Cloud, MN
• October 2-4, 2020: Minneapolis, MN
• December 4-6, 2020: Minneapolis, MN
• February 5-7, 2021: Minneapolis, MN
• April 9-11, 2021: Minneapolis, MN
• June 4-6, 2021: Minneapolis, MN
• August 6-8, 2021: Minneapolis, MN
• October 1-3, 2021: Minneapolis, MN
• December 3-5, 2021: Minneapolis, MN
• February 5-7, 2022: Minneapolis, MN
• April 1-3, 2022: Minneapolis, MN

Payment arrangements made with local community.

Teams of Our Lady

Teams of Our Lady is an international movement of married couples whose purposes are:

• Growth in the spiritual life of the couple and family through a program of prayer and study.
• Growth in the communication between husband and wife with a developing intimacy through shared prayer and regular in-depth talks.
• A way of life designed to make their Christian faith a daily living experience.

Each team is made up of five to seven couples and a chaplain, who meet once a month in each other's homes to share a meal, a time of Scripture, prayer and reflection, and a sharing of their experiences as they work to grow in their marriages and in their faith.

If you are interested in learning more about, and possibly joining Teams of Our Lady, contact John and Jan Klocke, Sector Couple at (701) 212-8892 or Father James Ermer, Sector Chaplain at (701) 347-4609.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend getaway that helps married couples rediscover themselves as individuals and as a couple. The Weekend format helps couples communicate openly and honestly, without any group sharing, therapy or marriage counseling.  So help us support the Bishops' Initiative on marriage!  Couples who attend Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends not only rediscover the joy, intimacy & romance in their relationships, but also become more active in their parish.

Great Marriages Don't Just Happen.  All marriages need attention, effort and nurturing. Worldwide Marriage Encounter provides an opportunity for you to explore your relationship together and find ways to make it more fulfilling and stronger for a lifetime.

Check out the FAQ page.

Upcoming Marriage Encounter Weekends  
(Click on dates below to register)

• August 28-30, 2020 - Virtual Weekend
• September 25-27, 2020 - Windom, MN
• October 9-11, 2020 - Buffalo, MN
• October 16-18, 2020 - Marvin, SD
• November 13-15, 2020 - Owatonna, MN
• November 13-15, 2020 - Medora, ND
• November 20-22, 2020 - Battle Creek, IA
• February 12-14, 2021 - Buffalo, MN
• February 12-14, 2021 - Windom, MN
• April 16-18, 2021 - Olivia, MN
• April 30-May 2, 2021- Buffalo, MN
• October 8-10, 2021 - Buffalo, MN

Give the gift of your time and love by taking your spouse on a Marriage Encounter. For more information about Marriage Encounter weekends in your area go to Worldwide Marriage Encounter (wwme.org).

Beginning Experience

Beginning Experience is a Christian support program for separated, divorced, and widowed people. It is a peer ministry program to help to transition from the pain of loss into a new beginning.

For more information on Beginning Experience visit the Beginning Experience of Eastern North Dakota web site.