Marriage Prep
On behalf of Renew the 'I do’ Foundation, congratulations on your engagement!
You can count on our prayers and support for a long, happy and joy-filled marriage!
Our Joy-Filled Marriage preparation program will provide you with the best tools and training techniques, so that you both can experience a truly thriving marriage! Through a balance of theology, psychology and stories from our dynamic speaker team, we emphasize the importance of fully understanding the sacrament of marriage and preparing for the many years that follow your wedding day. Led by a passionate team of speaker couples, you’ll be guided to discern your call to marriage, learn what “I do” truly means, practice praying together and working on key marriage skills.
It brings me great joy to be a part of your marriage journey!
Alive in Christ,
Fr. Jay Donahue
"I came into the weekend probably more as a 'cultural Catholic' but I left wanting to be a 'real' Catholic."
"I fell in love with God more, and my fiancé all over again."
"This weekend surpassed our expectations! The speakers were so well spoken and amazing, you guys should go on a tour, take this on the road!”
"Thank you for your authenticity, not just sharing the positive aspects of marriage but the hard but real aspects of marriage."
“The vows presentation made me tear up and taught me how to better love God and love best as a husband.“
"We were so very moved by practicing our vows together in first session."
What Couples are Saying
Quotes from our April 2021 Joy-Filled Marriage Prep Weekend - Lawrenceville
Joy-Filled Marriage Preparation Courses
Renew the 'I do's Joy-Filled Marriage Preparation courses are the foundation of this initiative and are now being offered in four ways:
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In-person weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
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Virtual LIVE STREAM via ZOOM on in-person weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
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Private ONE on ONE sessions
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5 week series (Thursday Evenings)
Upcoming Weekends
August Joy-Filled Marriage Prep Weekend
August 6-8th, 2021
Beauty Shoppe Arsenal Motors, Lawrenceville
January '22 Joy-Filled Marriage Prep Weekend
January 28-30, 2022
Saints John and Paul, Sewickley
March '22 Joy-Filled Marriage Prep Weekend
March 18-20, 2022
Beauty Shoppe Arsenal Motors, Lawrenceville
May '22 Joy-Filled Marriage Prep Weekend
May 20-22, 2022
Beauty Shoppe Arsenal Motors, Lawrenceville
Alternative Options
One-on-One Joy-Filled Marriage Prep
In this one on one version; you will be guided by a trained facilitator to walk through this lively, insightful, and resourceful marriage preparation experience with your future spouse.
5-week Series (Thursday Evenings)
Join us for weekly group sessions of interactive and educational marriage preparation.
Check back soon for dates of upcoming sessions.
Our programs meet the canonical requirements to be married in the Catholic Church and is founded on the Ascension Press curriculum. If you have any questions about the Joy-Filled Weekends you can contact our
Program Director, Ashley Dillon at ashley@renewtheido.org.
5 Step Prep
"5 Step Prep" is an additional marriage preparation experience personalized just for the couple. Each couple is paired with one of our trained instructors to walk with them through each of the five meaningful steps.
This program alone does not meet the canonical requirement, rather it is done as a beautiful supplement to the Joy-Filled Marriage Preparation weekend.
If you have any questions about The 5 Step Prep, contact our Director of Family Life, Dolores Shipe at dolores@renewtheido.org.
What People Are Saying about the 5 Step Prep
By going through these steps,
we found ourselves more excited about planning for our marriage and lifetime together than on our reception details."
~Ben & Kate
"We are so grateful that we had our preparation with Renew the 'I do'!
We believe it is making us view this hardship so much differently and know that our faith and love will overcome this."
~Anthony & Maria
"The Five Step Prep Program has been a wonderful help to me preparing my engaged couples. It's a comprehensive and joyful program that brings couples together for unique activities that make for an enriching
personal experience."
~Fr. Thom Miller
Photos from Our Marriage Prep Events
Meet the Joy-Filled Weekend Team
Carla Sandy
Resolving Conflict in Marriage
John and Maria Hayden
Building Happiness- Time, Talent and Treasure
Sean and Emily Hannon
Sexual Honesty Before and Within Marriage
Vinny and Christina Costain
Intimacy and Prayer
Matt and Jill Kaufman
To What are You Really Saying
"I Do" to?
PJ and Ashley Dillon
Joy-Filled Weekends,
Program Director
Fr. Adam Potter
How to Beat the Odds
Joe and Meghan Austin
Joy-Filled Weekends Facilitating Couple
Pete and Laura Bianco
Marriage from the Beginning and How Christ Restores
Jim and Regina Donahue
Communication and Love Language within Marriage
Randy and Lisa Koslosky
Navigating Infertility in Marriage
Jeff and Alyssa Olenych
Building Happiness- Time, Talent and Treasure
Dave and Maria Phelps
Organic Married Sex and Baseball
Mike and Dolores Shipe
What is Organic Married Sex?
Teddy and Katie Sweeney
Marriage, a Witness of Love and Mercy
Nate and Bethany Wigfield
Marriage Mission & Role of Virtue
Dan and Christina Gallagher
Communication and Love Language within Marriage
Tony and Tina Rossi
Sexual Honesty Before and Within Marriage
Dan and Heidi Flaherty
Why Prayer is Important for your Marriage
Walt and Jackie Schratz
Communication and Resolving Conflict
Joe and Katie Henkles
Sexual Intimacy Before and Within Marriage
Ryan and Marta LeGrand
Inviting God into your Marriage