Already Married?

Marriage is a long-term commitment.  It also needs attention and care to remain vibrant and healthy.  Here are some offerings available in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to help couples renew and deepen their relationship with one another. 

Domestic Church - retreats and continued formation for Sacramentally married couples who want to grow in holiness together with their spouses.

Couple Prayer Series - a fantastic parish-based or in-home program that helps couples overcome the common obstacles to intimate, shared prayer.

ECHO for Married Couples - retreat for married couples centered on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body and focused on growing in their own relationship in authentic community with other couples. 

Willwoods Faith and Marriage - couple and family retreats and other fantastic resources for married couples.

World Wide Marriage Encounter - retreat for married couples to deepen and strengthen unity and increase communication; closest retreat is held in Baton Rouge.

USCCB For Your Marriage - excellent resources for all stages and phases of marriage from some of the best sources in the country presented by the US Bishops Conference.

Already married and interested in becoming a mentor couple for engaged couples?  Contact your parish, and then either give us a call at 504-861-6243 to discuss options, or register online for training in the In Home Marriage Prep program by clicking here.

Natural Family Planning

The Office of Marriage and Family Life is pleased to provide excellent resources for a number of methods of Natural Family Planning: Northwest Sympto-Thermal, Creighton Fertility Care, Family of the Americas, and Couple to Couple League.  If you would like to learn one of these methods or have any questions regarding Natural Family Planning (NFP) please see below, or call the Office of Marriage and Family Life at 504-861-6243.

Northwest Sympto-Thermal - Uses a combination of basal body temperature and observations of physical changes to chart progress through the woman's fertility cycle.  This information can be used effectively to either achieve or postpone a pregnancy.  Classes are conducted in a group setting and consist of four, three-hour evenings spread over the course of two months.  Available on both the Southshore and the Northshore.  Registration is through the Office of Marriage and Family Life .

Creighton - The Creighton Model System uses observation of physical symptoms to both chart progress through the woman’s fertility cycle and provide a wealth of information regarding the woman’s health to a certified practitioner.  This information can also be used by medical personnel trained in NaProTECHNOLOGY, a cutting-edge healthcare system that works to maintain or restore a woman’s natural reproductive system.  Classes are one-on-one with a practitioner and consist of an introductory presentation followed by monthly follow-up meetings until autonomy is achieved.  Registration is through the Woman's New Life Clinic.

Family of the Americas - A method that is both simple and affordable, yet still very effective—it uses observation of physical symptoms to chart progress through the woman’s fertility cycle.  This method is said to be ideal for a woman discontinuing the use of artificial contraception. Classes are one-on-one with an instructor and consist of an introduction and monthly follow-up meetings until autonomy is achieved.  Registration is through Woman's New Life Clinic.

Couple to Couple League - There are two instructor couples in the area for this sympto-thermal method, and they are both on the Southshore.  Classes are three, pre-scheduled evening sessions done specifically couple-to-couple (imagine that!). Live and self-paced online courses are also available.  Registration is online by clicking here.