Marriage Enrichment | Enriquecimiento Matrimonial
Contact/Staff
Director of Hispanic, Intercultural & Marriage Ministries
Enrique Castro
Office: 573.635.9127, ext. 250
Cell: 573.680.3650
ecastro@diojeffcity.org
Administrative Assistant
Nicole Secker
573.635.9127, ext. 226
faithformation@diojeffcity.org
2207 West Main St | PO Box 104900
Jefferson City, MO 65110-4900
Diocesan Contact
Director of Hispanic, Intercultural, & Marriage Ministries
Deacon Enrique Castro
Office: 573-635-9127, ext. 250
Cell: 573-680-3650
ecastro@diojeffcity.org
Assistant Director
Mary Madelyn Mertes
573-635-9127, ext. 228
mmertes@diojeffcity.org
Administrative Assistant
Nicole Secker
573-635-9127, ext. 226
faithformation@diojeffcity.org
Alphonse J. Schwartze
Memorial Catholic Center
2207 West Main St
Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914
Marriage Enrichment & Family Life Resources
2026 Marriage Retreat
Join us for the upcoming diocesan retreat for married couples!
The retreat will be held on March 13-14, 2026 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph and will be led by two inspiring couples from the Marianist Retreat Center.
Attendees can expect three delicious meals, inspiring talks, engaging prayer experiences, and quality reflection time (reflection can be done as a couple or in small groups).
Marriage Encounter Jefferson City
Description: This marriage enrichment weekend retreat is designed to give couples the opportunity to examine their life together- the reasons to rejoice and the areas of improvement. It is not specifically designed for marriages that are “in trouble” but would still be a beneficial way to reconnect. Attending an all-inclusive Marriage Encounter weekend gives the couple the chance to get away together and put aside the stress and cares of work and household. The website also has a newsletter couples can sign up to receive and other helpful resources under the resources tab. Available in English only.
Retrouvaille
Description: This weekend retreat is designed for marriages that are in trouble, struggling and facing difficult challenges. The retreat experience is supported by a series of follow-up sessions to help keep the couple on track. The website has a search to look for locations and dates that are available. The webpage offers information in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Korean but all retreats in Missouri are in English. Click on the USA flag that says “English” next to it to change the language.
For Your Marriage: Married Life: Newlyweds
Description: The content here will help newlyweds grow closer together, navigate challenges that are common in the first few years of marriage, and grow more confident in their vocation to share God’s love with all those around them. Available in English & Spanish.
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
Ministry to the Newly Married (Agapé Catholic Ministries)
Description: This is a five-year parish program for newly married couples. Its goal is to foster the development of relationship skills, broaden their understanding of each other and of the living out of the sacrament of marriage. Newlyweds meet every 3 months with their mentoring couples to discuss and share on four defined topics each year, engaging with a new mentoring couple each year.
Prepare/Enrich
Description: This blog website covers many different topics like conflict, connection, family & friends, parenting, resilience, and more. They have an email subscription available that sends weekly tips & tools. The blog is available in English only
Fierce Marriage
Description: This website offers podcasts and printed media to enrich and build healthy, Christ-centered marriages at all stages. With titles like: Healthier Sex Life After having kids, 8 ways to affair-proof your Marriage, The 3 P’s That Can Poison Your Marriage, Crafting a Family Vision/Mission, and much more. Available in English only.
National Marriage Week USA
Description: National Marriage Week USA (every Feb 7- 14) is a movement to increase marriage education all across the United States. This website lists some of their favorite tools for strengthening your marriage.
For Your Marriage
Description: Marriage is a vocation to holiness. From their first days as husband and wife through their golden years, married couples have the awesome task of witnessing to God’s faithful love to each other, their children, and society. No couple does this perfectly, and everyone needs help when love feels strained and the going gets tough. All marriages can grow in knowledge, faith, joy, and love. Whether you are just starting out in marriage or have fifty years under your belt, the advice, real life stories, and Church teaching here can help strengthen and bless your marriage. This website has multiple articles and links to books to help couples through all stages of their marriage. Go to the general website directly below or click the specific links next to each subsection. Available in English & Spanish.
Website Links:
- For Your Marriage: Married Life home page:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Newlyweds:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Sexuality & Conjugal Love:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Enriching Your Marriage:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Overcoming Adversity:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- The Later Years:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
For Your Marriage: Married Life: Sexuality
Description: In this website, you’ll find an in-depth look at married love and intimacy, together with practical advice in living marriage well. Available in English & Spanish.
Diocese of Jefferson City NFP Webpage
Description: NFP is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancies. The diocesan website explains Natural Family Planning (NFP) and gives couples access to information and links for three NFP methods (a sympto-thermal method taught by the Couples to Couples League, the Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System, and the Billings Ovulation Method promoted by Family of the Americas) and connects them with instructors. The website is bilingual in English and Spanish.
For Your Marriage: Real Couples Share What It’s Like Practicing NFP
Description: This website offers articles, videos and links for further reading to share NFP practicing couples’ real life experiences.
For Your Marriage: Family Life & Parenting
Description: Content in this section can help families become places of prayer and faith (domestic Churches) and navigate the challenges that come with parenting, extended family relationships, caregiving, and more. This website has multiple articles and links to books to help couples through those challenges. Go to the general website directly below or click the specific links next to each subsection. Available in English & Spanish.
Websites:
- For Your Marriage: Family Life & Parenting Home page:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- The Domestic Church:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Welcoming Children:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Parenting:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Family Dynamics:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
- Care Giving:
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
Our Not Quite Holy Family; by Mark & Melanie Hart
Description: The authors have four children and they realize that despite all the advice they've doled out over the years, there's no single formula for having a happy, holy family. In this book, the Harts offer candid, sincere, and down-to-earth wisdom from their time in the trenches of parenting.
BeDADitudes: 8 Ways to Be an Awesome Dad; by Gregory K. Popcak
Description: The Beatitudes can be viewed as a practical guide to understanding the love of God and applying that love to being a better father. This book uniquely focuses on the Beatitudes and fatherhood. The author helps you stop focusing on yourself and instead focus on God, learning how to be the father God wants you to be by becoming a servant leader in your home.
Parenting Resources from FORMED.ORG
Description: This website requires a personal or parish subscription. It has thousands of videos, programs, books, and audio available that align with the values of the Catholic faith to support a healthy Catholic lifestyle. Available in English & Spanish.
Specific Parenting Resources:
- Parenting for Purity (Jason Evert)
- Into the Breach
- Be not Afraid Family Hour
- Pass it on (video program for parents)
- And more…
Compass Catholic Ministries
Description: The website lists an abundance of resources, including but not limited to studies & courses, books, articles, a podcast, money coaching, newsletters, a money app and over a dozen free financial spreadsheets to aid in the management of day-to-day finances and the development of healthy financial habits. Many of their resources are available in English and Spanish.
Website Link
Podcast Link
Spreadsheets Link
Faith Finances: A Guide to Mastering the Three Biblical Principles of Financial Success in Eight Steps book and couple’s workbook; by Thomas E. Zordani
Description: Zordani explains a systematic approach mixing biblical principles with proven secular techniques to improve your financial situation in his book. The book offers readers the knowledge to change their finances and experience spiritual renewal.
Overcoming Worries About Money - A Catholic Perspective; by Gregory S. Jeffrey
Description: The author has degrees in both business and theology that gives him a special point of view to help the reader identify what shapes their attitude toward anxiety regarding finances. He offers a new look at the familiar Bible stories, reflection questions at the end of each chapter and many more valuable insights and advice surrounding finances from a Catholic’s unique perspective.
Suzy Orman’s Website and Women & Money Podcast
Description: Suze Orman is a financial author, television show host, international motivational speaker, and longtime financial adviser. On Orman’s website, you can find her financial books, tools, and free advice, including information about real estate, retirement, buying a car, and almost any other financial topic that you may need. Although the podcast is called Women & Money, it boasts that it is for “everyone smart enough to listen.”
Catholic Financial Life
Description: Catholic Financial Life is the second largest Catholic not-for-profit financial services organization in the United States. The website offers some free resources for couples at various stages of their lives’ journey together.
HopeFilled Financial Coaching
Description: HopeFilled Financial Coaching is a coaching ministry focused on walking with individuals and couples as they learn how to better manage finances and communicate about money. Jay Disberger approaches finances with love and the Biblically backed financial virtue of frugality (the Intentional Practice of Prudent Economy). HopeFilled provides one-on-one coaching services, a weekly podcast, and parish-hosted workshops. While the workshop linked below is only 2-hours, it is designed to make a lasting impact that eases financial strain and encourages Biblical unity.
For Your Marriage: Married Life: Overcoming Adversity
Description: The web page offers many articles to help married couples face the trials and tribulations this life throws at us. Advice, encouragement and real-life stories are also shared within these articles.
Website Link (English)
Enlace (español)
Restore: Catholic Marriage Resource
Description: Restore is an online, self-led marriage resource that gives you and your spouse the opportunity and the tools necessary to heal and restore your relationship. It is meant to help couples struggling with communication, conflict, disillusionment, etc. There is also an affair recovery class meant for couples who are in the initial stages after a discovery or admission of infidelity. The program continues to expand its areas of aid. Available in English only.
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri
Description: Professional therapy is one way to work through stress and anxiety, and the therapists in Catholic Charities Counseling Services provide the insight and support needed to manage life problems in a more productive way. Services provided: Individual and Family Counseling, School-based Counseling, Hope: the emotional support chatbot, and Clínica para la Familia (Family Clinic & Spanish counseling resources)
Contact Information:
1015 Edmonds St
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-635-7719
Website Link (English)
Enlace (Español)
Hope Chatbot
The Counselor is In
Description: Online counseling with Dan Spadaro. He has worked with families, couples, young people, clergy and seminarians over the past 25 years. He has a MA in Clinical Counseling and is trained in the integrated family therapy model, addiction and more. English only.
Grace Counseling, LLC
Description: This agency provides individual, couples and family counseling for children-adults ages
3 - 99+. Treatment specialization includes themes such as therapy for depression and anxiety, family counseling, Play Therapy, parenting support, school issues, grief counseling, eating disorders, work and career counseling, stress management, addiction & recovery, conflict resolution, PTSD, military services, DBT and telehealth counseling. English only.
Contact Information:
718 W. McCarty St.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-644-6128
For Your Marriage: Married Life: The Later Years
Description: Here you’ll find book suggestions for couples in their later years, as well as advice for transitioning to an empty nest after actively raising children for many years. Available in English & Spanish.
Let Me Sow Light: Living with a Depressed Spouse; by Amy Viets & Bernadette Stankard
Description: The authors write from their personal experiences of living with husbands who suffer from depression. They also share other spouses’ experiences and offer an entire chapter devoted to reviewing avenues of support.
For Your Marriage: Illness
Description: This website links to an article that gives you a plethora of suggestions of facing this time of trial with your spouse. There are also further links to the author’s blog and other articles and books regarding the illness of a spouse.
Infant & Pregnancy Loss
Description: This webpage offers resources for coping with grief regarding the loss of a infant or pregnancy. Losing a baby, whether through miscarriage or as an infant, is one of the deepest forms of grief and pain that a couple may endure. If you or a loved one has suffered the loss of a child during pregnancy or infancy, know that support and resources are available.
Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One; by Father Eamon Tobin
Description: This article offers suggestions for coping with grief, negotiating the challenges of it, important things to remember, helpful measures to help you help, and recognition of the signs of healing.
It Is Well: Life in the Storm; by Chris Faddis
Description: This book is a memoir of the trials, tribulations & grace filled moments of a husband and going through the illness & eventually the loss of his wife, Angela. When Angela, was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer during an emergency room visit on Easter Sunday, 2011, her response not only surprised her husband, but it has also inspired people around the world. "Jesus still rose, so we will trust."
Grieving With Grace: A Woman’s Perspective; by Dolores Leckey
Description: This book is the author’s journey following her husband’s death. It is not only about grieving, but also about their marriage and about change & new life from a woman’s point of view.
Grieving with Great Hope video series on FORMED.ORG
Description: Grieving with Great Hope is a grief support program and a healing ministry developed by John and Sandy O'Shaughnessy; they are the co-founders of Good Mourning Ministry, a Catholic Bereavement Apostolate. The Formed.org website requires a personal or parish subscription. It has
thousands of videos, programs, books, and audio available that align with the values of the Catholic faith to support a healthy Catholic lifestyle. Many videos and resources are available in English & Spanish.
Grief Centering Resources
Description: This website offers links to books, articles, and an online magazine subscription to aid those dealing with bereavement. In response to the need for support by families and caregivers while facing their grief experience Centering developed many new resources. Today we have over 500 grief resources for children and adults. Centering continues to provide educational resources and bookstore for caregivers and families. There are many topics such as the death of a spouse, the death of a child, the loss of miscarriage, and children’s grieving to name just a few. Many resources are available in English and Spanish.