Strengthening the Covenant: A Retreat to Renew and Strengthen Your Marriage
Hosted by the Edmonton Regnum Christi Family Association
Dates: January 24–26, 2025
Location: Mount Carmel Spirituality Centre, Parkland County, AB
Join us for an unforgettable weekend dedicated to renewing and strengthening the sacred covenant of your marriage.
Marriage is a beautiful gift from God—but it is also a battlefield. As Our Lady of Fatima revealed, "the decisive battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about marriage and the family." In today’s world, marriages face unprecedented challenges. This retreat is designed to equip you and your spouse with the tools and spiritual fortitude needed to thrive in your marriage and prepare for spiritual battle.
What to Expect
This enriching weekend retreat will include:
- Daily Mass: Root your marriage in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.
- Healing Prayer: Receive prayers for spiritual healing, grace, and renewal, with the support of William and Carla Smiley from Encounter Ministries, who will bring their powerful healing prayer ministry to the retreat.
- Opportunities for Confession: Experience the profound grace of reconciliation.
- Dynamic Presentations: Led by Jean and Colin MacKenzie, this retreat will draw from Catholic teaching, psychology, and practical wisdom to help you fortify your marriage.
- Faithful to Catholic Teaching: While firmly grounded in Catholic doctrine, the retreat warmly welcomes all Christian couples seeking to deepen their marital bond.
- Time for Reflection and Connection: Spend intentional time together to pray, reflect, and rediscover the joy of your union.
Retreat Highlights
- Strengthening Your Covenant: Deepen your understanding of marriage as a sacred covenant and mission.
- Equipping for Spiritual Battle: Learn strategies to protect and nurture your marriage in the face of spiritual challenges.
- Practical Tools for Growth: Create a personalized plan to sustain your relationship long after the retreat ends.
- Opportunities for Intimacy: Build emotional and spiritual intimacy through guided discussions and exercises.
Your Presenters: Jean and Colin MacKenzie
Jean and Colin bring over 24 years of marriage experience and a deep passion for supporting Catholic couples. Combining Jean’s expertise as a registered psychologist specializing in couples therapy and Colin’s military perspective, their presentations are insightful, practical, and faithful to Catholic teaching. Together, they help couples embrace the mission of their marriage and prepare for the spiritual battle over family life.
Registration Details
- Cost: $795 per couple (includes all meals and accommodations at Mount Carmel Spirituality Centre).
- Contact for More Information: Cathy Dusterhoft at catharine.dusterhoft@gmail.com.
- To Register: E-transfer $795 to regnumchristiedmonton@gmail.com.
Why Attend?
- Renew your love and commitment to one another.
- Deepen your spiritual connection as a couple.
- Gain tools to nurture and sustain your marriage in today’s challenging world.
- Find encouragement and support from other Christian couples.
- Leave refreshed, inspired, and ready to face life’s challenges together.
Don’t Wait—Space is Limited!
Take this opportunity to invest in your marriage and fortify your family for the journey ahead. We can’t wait to welcome you to this transformative retreat!
Your Holy
Union Battleplan
Write Your Catholic Love Story
Strengthen Your Catholic Marriage
GET TO KNOW
Colin & Jean Mackenzie
Jean and Colin MacKenzie bring a unique blend of expertise, faith, and lived experience to the Holy UNION Battleplan course. Married for 24 years, they’ve faced the ups and downs of life together—moving frequently as a military family, raising seven children, navigating financial challenges, and weathering health crises. Through it all, they’ve leaned on their shared Catholic faith and a deep commitment to growing as a couple.
Jean is a registered psychologist with 20 years of experience specializing in couples counselling and trauma therapy. She is trained in the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy and advanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which she integrates into her work to help couples overcome emotional triggers and reconnect.
Colin is a veteran with 32 years of service in the Canadian military, where he developed leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a steadfast sense of duty. He brings a unique military perspective to the course, helping couples understand the spiritual battle for their marriage and how to fortify their union.
Together, Jean and Colin combine psychology, Catholic teaching, and military strategy to offer couples practical tools and spiritual insights. Their mission is to help you not just survive marriage but thrive in it—becoming a team that supports each other, grows closer to God, and builds a legacy of love.
They believe marriage is worth fighting for, and they’re ready to help you do the same.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional counseling, therapy, or medical advice. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, we do not offer counseling or medical services. Always seek the advice of qualified professionals regarding any mental health or medical concerns. If you are in an abusive relationship or experiencing serious marriage issues, please seek support from appropriate professionals in your area.