CHARLOTTE — If you are looking for an opportunity to enrich your marriage this year, “Renew: A Couples Retreat” may be just the thing. Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is hosting a day of inspiration and reflection for married couples from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, in the New Life Center Banquet Hall at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. The cost per couple is $40, which includes lunch, and free child care is available by reservation.
“The pre-Cana workshops offered by Catholic Charities have always been an important part of preparing and supporting engaged couples for marriage,” said Alecia Acquaviva, Catholic Charities’ marriage preparation coordinator. “We feel passionate about extending that same support to couples at every stage of marriage. And we hope to offer this retreat and others like it at locations throughout the diocese in the future.”
The retreat offers a combination of practical relationship skills and spiritual guidance. Topics include “The 5 Love Languages,” “Couple Communication,” “Romance as Gift,” and “Sacramental Marriage.” Couples will have an opportunity to reflect and share privately after each presentation. They will also have the option to attend the 9 a.m. Mass together if they choose. Besides Acquaviva, presenters will include Jenny Cox, a licensed marriage and family therapy associate, and Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe.
Space is limited. Register online at www.ccdoc.org/renew. Contact Acquaviva at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. Child care reservations may be made by calling 704-543-7677, ext. 1003.
— Jenny Cox is a longtime member of St. Matthew Church. She has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and is a licensed therapy associate in private practice with Compassionate Life Counseling
JEFFERSON — Eduar Carrasco and Cindy Molina were confirmed and received their first Eucharist at a Spanish Mass in December in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They are pictured with Father James Stuhrenberg, pastor, and Father Jose Camilo Cardenas-Bonilla, priest in residence.
— Patrick Hession | Catholic News Herald
KERNERSVILLE — Ryan Carter, a student at Wake Forest University, received the sacrament of confirmation recently at Holy Cross Church, during Mass celebrated by Father Marcel Amadi, the campus minister at Wake Forest University, Salem College, Bennett College and North Carolina A&T. In attendance were his parents, Kellie and Mike Carter from Currituck, as well as staff and students of Wake Forest University. Fellow student Rob Michele was his sponsor. He chose as his confirmation name St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of students.
— Photo provided by Rob Michele
HUNTERSVILLE — Bishop Peter Jugis confirmed nearly 200 students at St. Mark Church during two Masses in December, including Benjamin Barnabei and his sponsor, his brother Joseph Barnabei.
— Photos provided by Amy Burger
