Marriottsville, Maryland (west of Baltimore)

Hidden Treasure Retreat for Couples

August 7 @ 4:00 pm – August 9 @ 11:30 am $570

Christian Marriage Is Hard…and Beautiful

Robert and Lori Fontana, relationship educators, return to Bon Secours to help couples discover the amazing gift of married love (even if that love has been frayed a bit). Any couple that wants to succeed in love is welcome! Lori and Robert Fontana have been married since 1978. They have six children and seven grandchildren. Together they direct Catholic Life Ministries NW (CLM), a non-profit educational and counseling outreach.

Lori was primarily a home mom. She has a certificate in Spirituality and Theology and taught elementary school for 12 years. Robert has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and has a clinical counseling practice in Seattle. Robert also has a Doctorate in Ministry and has worked professionally at the parish and diocesan levels in the Catholic Church, and now for CLM. Robert has taught throughout Washington State and in Catholic parishes around the country, as well as internationally in Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Haiti, and Belize, Central America.

The retreat begins with The Marriage Jackpot Date Night on Friday evening, where you will meet Murphy the Marriage Salesman, do the “how well do you know your partner” quiz, sing old love songs, meet other couples, and enjoy great snacks and spirits.

The retreat continues into Saturday and Sunday, building on the insights and fun from Friday night. You will reflect on the beauty and challenges of Christian marriage; strengthen skills in communication, active listening, and self-awareness; explore together emotional needs for intimacy, affection, fun, and sexual fulfillment; and have an opportunity to bring healing and forgiveness to relationship hurts. This is a participatory retreat with opportunities during each session for spouses/partners to separately complete relationship inventories related to the topic, share their answers with each other, dialogue, and enjoy intentional time reflecting on their relationship…all while having fun together! Guided by Robert & Lori Fontana.

Check-in begins at 4pm. There will be a brief welcome session at 5:30pm, followed by dinner at 6pm. The retreat begins after dinner at 7pm on Friday and concludes before lunch on Sunday. Mass will be available Sunday morning for those who wish to attend.

The price of $570 is per couple and includes retreat, lodging, meals. You are most welcome to commute. To register or for more information please email Doris.Gallagher@BonSecoursRCC.org.

If you would like to register a group to attend this retreat, please call our Welcome Center at 410-442-3120 or email Doris Gallagher, Manager of Marketing & Events, at Doris.Gallagher@BonSecoursRCC.org.