Couples Reconnect (CORE): Parish-Level Community
Ongoing Support for Lasting Marriage Health
The weekend ends. The six weeks conclude. But marriage continues.
Your diocese has invested in crisis intervention through Rediscovery Retrouvaille. You're providing early support through Six Weeks to Us. But what happens after? How do couples sustain the transformation? How do they continue growing instead of sliding back into old patterns? How does this become a parish-level community of couples?
Couples Reconnect, known as CORE provides the answer: ongoing community-based support that keeps couples connected, accountable, and growing long after the initial program ends.
CORE prevents this drift by creating sustainable, parish-based communities where couples continue the work of marriage enrichment together.
What Is CORE (Couples Reconnect)?
CORE is a monthly gathering program designed for couples who have completed Rediscovery Retrouvaille, Six Weeks to Us, or other marriage enrichment programs, such as Marriage Encounter.
It provides structured ongoing support that helps couples in their parish:
- Sustain the gains made during initial programs
- Deepen communication skills through continued practice
- Build lasting friendships with other committed couples
- Receive regular encouragement and accountability
- Address new challenges as they arise in marriage
- Serve as mentors to couples just beginning their journey
The Reality CORE Addresses . . .
Research shows that follow-up support dramatically improves long-term outcomes:
- Couples with ongoing support maintain communication improvements 85% better than those without
- Regular couple gatherings reduce relapse into old patterns by 70%
- Community accountability increases marital satisfaction over time
- Peer mentoring strengthens both the mentors and those being mentored
- Divorce rate among those actively engaged in marriage ministry is less than 1%
CORE provides the structure and community that transforms temporary breakthrough into lasting transformation. This CORE group of couples becomes the CORE of your parish.
Why Your Parishes Need CORE . . .
One of the most powerful aspects of CORE is that it becomes self-sustaining:
- Peer-led: Couples who've been attending CORE mentor newer couples
- Curriculum driven: Monthly curriculum that can be led by any participating couple
- Newsletter supported: Monthly newsletter that supports marriage provided for print or email distribution in your parish
- Locally based: Meets in parish settings with minimal diocesan resources
- Organically growing: Strong CORE groups naturally attract other couples due to the social, marriage enrichment and spiritual growth aspects
- Ministry-generating: CORE participants become leaders in other parish programs
- Existing couple groups can utilize: Existing couple groups in the parish can adopt the curriculum for monthly programming in both English and Spanish
This creates a multiplication effect: couples who receive support become couples who provide support, creating sustainable marriage ministry.
Building a Culture of Marriage Support
When parishes host regular CORE gatherings, the culture shifts:
From: "We only talk about marriage when there's a crisis"
To: "We invest in our marriages continuously"
From: "Strong couples don't need help"
To: "Strong couples get stronger through community"
From: "Marriage support is for struggling couples"
To: "Marriage support is for all couples"
CORE normalizes ongoing investment in marriage—making it a lifestyle, not just crisis management.
What Makes CORE Uniquely Effective?
Monthly Rhythm That's Sustainable
CORE meets monthly (typically 1.5-2 hours on a weekend evening or Sunday afternoon).
This rhythm is:
Manageable: Doesn't overwhelm busy couples but provides regular touch points
Consistent: Creates accountability without feeling burdensome
Flexible: Parishes can adapt timing to fit their community's needs
Long-term: Couples can participate for years, not just weeks or months
Welcoming: Informal gatherings with shared meals or special events become a looked-forward-to social events
The monthly gathering becomes anticipated, valued time that couples protect on their calendars.
Structured Yet Flexible Format
Each CORE gathering typically includes:
Opening Prayer & Check-In (15 minutes)
Couples briefly share an ice breaker question about how they are doing as a couple
Discussion Topic (40 minutes)
Structured content on marriage themes: communication, conflict management, intimacy, parenting as partners, financial unity. Spiritual growth together that is based on the church calendar
Couple Dialogue Time (20 minutes)
Private time for couples to discuss the topic using communication tools learned in initial programs
Community Sharing & Prayer (15 minutes)
Optional sharing of insights, prayer requests, mutual encouragement
This structure provides both content and connection—teaching and community.
Implementation: Bringing CORE to Your Parish
Parish Requirements (Minimal)
Physical Space: Parish hall, meeting room, or couple's home
Materials: Monthly discussion guides (provided by CORE program)
Leadership: 2-3 couples willing to champion the program and help in planning
Schedule: One 90 minute to 2-hour gathering per month
That's it. CORE is designed to be sustainable with minimal resources.
Getting Started
Step 1: Identify 2-3 couples who've completed Rediscovery Retrouvaille or Six Weeks to Us willing to co-facilitate or integrate into an existing couple group in your parish
Step 2: Set a consistent monthly schedule (e.g., third Saturday evening, last Sunday afternoon)
Step 3: Invite all couples who've attended marriage programs; open to any married couples seeking support and enrichment
Step 4: Use provided discussion guides and let your imagination lead the way. Groups have integrated covered dish shared meals, picnics, cookouts, Valentine’s dinners, dance lessons, Christmas parties, Lenten retreats, and other fun “date night” ideas to make CORE a fun and enriching experience.
Step 5: Promote consistently—in bulletins, after programs, through personal invitation
Step 6: Create welcoming atmosphere with refreshments, childcare if possible
Step 7: Allow the group to grow organically through word-of-mouth
Sustainability Strategies
Rotate leadership: Different couples facilitate each month, distributing the workload
Flexible attendance: Couples attend when they can; life happens, and CORE accommodates
Social elements: Occasionally replace structured meetings with purely social gatherings (dinner, game night, holiday celebrations) to strengthen friendships. Groups have integrated covered dish meals, picnics, cookouts, Valentine’s dinners, dance lessons, Christmas parties, Lenten retreats, and other fun “date night” ideas to make CORE a fun and enriching experience.
Service projects: Periodically gather for service rather than discussion—strengthening bonds through shared mission
Annual celebrations: Mark anniversaries, renewal of vows, or achievements in the group
The Diocesan Impact: Completing the Continuum
CORE completes your comprehensive marriage ministry strategy:
Level 1: Marriage preparation and enrichment
Level 2: Six Weeks to Us (early support for disconnection)
Level 3: Rediscovery Retrouvaille (intensive crisis intervention)
Level 4: CORE (ongoing support and enrichment) ← This is the capstone
Without Level 4, couples cycle through Levels 2 and 3 repeatedly. With CORE, couples sustain their growth and help others do the same.
Multiplication Effect
Strong CORE groups create a multiplication cycle:
- Couples attend Rediscovery Retrouvaille or Six Weeks to Us
- They join CORE for ongoing support
- They become facilitators, mentors, and “champions of marriage”
- They invite other couples into programs
- Those couples join CORE and repeat the cycle
This creates self-perpetuating, ever-expanding marriage ministry throughout your diocese.
A Call to Action
CORE is not a luxury add-on to marriage ministry. It's the essential follow-up that makes all other programs effective long-term.
Every parish offering Rediscovery Retrouvaille or Six Weeks to Us should have an active CORE group. Without it, you're setting couples up for temporary gains rather than lasting transformation.
CORE provides:
- Sustained accountability and encouragement
- Ongoing skill development
- Supportive community
- Leadership pipeline
- Visible witness of thriving marriages
- Welcoming to couples from all marriage programs or existing small groups
And it requires minimal parish investment—just space, schedule, and willing couples.
For information on starting a CORE group in your parish, visit www.CouplesReconnect.org or call 1-866-213-0909.
"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." — Hebrews 10:24-25
Frequently Asked Questions About CORE
Q: Who can attend CORE gatherings?
A: Primarily couples who've completed Rediscovery Retrouvaille, Six Weeks to Us, or similar marriage programs. However, any married couple seeking support and community can attend.
Q: Is CORE counseling or therapy?
A: No. CORE is peer support and enrichment, not professional counseling. Couples needing therapy should be referred to licensed counselors.
Q: What if our parish is too small for a CORE group?
A: Partner with neighboring parishes. Even 4-6 couples can form a meaningful CORE group.
Q: How long do couples typically participate in CORE?
A: Many couples participate for years. CORE becomes their primary couple community and marriage support and enrichment practice.
Q: What's the parish's financial commitment?
A: Minimal. Discussion guides are affordable and provided digitally if the parish is supporting Rediscovery Retrouvaille or Six Weeks to Us programming ; space is already available. Some parishes subsidize childcare or refreshments, but costs are very low.
Q: How does CORE differ from a regular small group?
A: CORE is specifically focused on marriage support and enrichment using structured dialogue techniques learned in initial programs. Regular small groups may discuss various topics; CORE maintains marriage as the central focus.
Every marriage ministry needs follow-up. CORE provides it—creating sustainable communities where couples thrive, serve, and witness to covenant love.
Contact Us
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
The Parish Impact: More Than Just Support
Creating Marriage Ministry Leaders
Visible Witness of Thriving Marriages
Creating Marriage Ministry Leaders
CORE participants become your parish's marriage ministry workforce:
- Hospitality teams for Rediscovery Retrouvaille and Six Weeks to Us
- Recruitment ambassadors sharing personal testimonies with struggling couples
- Marriage preparation mentors for engaged couples
- Small group facilitators for other parish programs
- Service project organizers serving the broader community
CORE is not just receiving support—it's a leadership development pipeline.
Multigenerational Marriage Wisdom
Visible Witness of Thriving Marriages
Creating Marriage Ministry Leaders
CORE groups naturally include couples across life stages:
- Newlyweds navigating first-year adjustments
- Young families balancing parenthood and marriage
- Mid-life couples managing career demands and aging parents
- Empty-nesters rediscovering couple-hood
- Retired couples facing new rhythms together
This diversity creates rich mentoring relationships: seasoned couples offer wisdom; younger couples bring fresh energy; everyone learns from everyone.
Visible Witness of Thriving Marriages
Visible Witness of Thriving Marriages
Visible Witness of Thriving Marriages
When a parish has a vibrant CORE group, it sends powerful messages:
To struggling couples: "There's hope. Look at these couples who've been where we are and are now thriving."
To young couples: "Marriage is worth investing in continuously, not just when there's crisis."
To the broader community: "This parish takes marriage seriously—not just in theory but in practice."
To other couples: "We're not alone. Other couples face similar challenges and are working on their marriages too."
This witness is evangelization—demonstrating that covenant love is possible and supported.
Early Warning System for Crisis
Early Warning System for Crisis
Visible Witness of Thriving Marriages
CORE provides relational safety nets:
- Couples notice when friends start withdrawing or showing signs of distress
- Trusted peers can gently suggest returning to intensive help if needed
- The stigma of "needing help again" dissolves in a supportive community
- Couples are more likely to seek help early rather than waiting until crisis
This peer accountability prevents many couples from sliding back into serious trouble.
Integration with Other Programs
Early Warning System for Crisis
Integration with Other Programs
CORE serves as the "home base" for ongoing marriage ministry in the parish:
For Rediscovery Retrouvaille graduates: CORE provides the post-weekend support recommended for lasting healing
For Six Weeks to Us participants: CORE is the natural next step for continued growth
For all married couples: CORE offers enrichment for any couple wanting to invest in their marriage - the message is clear. All are welcome here.
CORE becomes the gathering place where couples from all programs converge, creating rich multigenerational and multi-stage community.
Peer Leadership Model
Early Warning System for Crisis
Integration with Other Programs
CORE gatherings are facilitated by couples,
for couples:
- Integrates with existing couple groups supported by Rediscovery Retrouvaille or Six Weeks to Us participants bringing marriage support experience to the group
- Leadership rotates among couples, distributing responsibility
- No professional counseling is provided—this is peer support, not therapy
- Shared wisdom from lived experience, not expert advice
This peer model creates authenticity, accessibility, and multiplication of leadership.