In October, the Archdiocese of Denver will host an exciting retreat put on by the St. John Paul II Healing Center.
Unveiled is a retreat for all married, engaged and dating couples who want to experience more intimacy, passion and purpose in their relationship. The retreat will be held Oct. 19-21 at St. Mary’s Parish in Littleton and will be led by author and speaker Dr. Bob Schuchts and his daughter Carrie Schuchts Daunt, both of the St. John Paul II Healing Center.
The teachings of the retreat are based on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and will explore God’s design for marriage and the skills to build unity, passion and intimacy, as well as healing and reconciliation in marriage. Click here for more details.
We spoke with Dr. Schuchts to learn more about the retreat and what attendees can expect. Registration for Unveiled opens on July 17. Click here to get notified!
In your experience, what are some challenges that arise in a marriage that can lead to loss of passion, purpose and intimacy?
Dr. Bob Schuchts: Marriages that grow and get stronger are ones where both husband and wife are willing to continue to know, love and serve each other. When we become lackadaisical or fail to keep Christ at the center of the marriage, or allow selfishness, sin, or unhealed wounds to predominate, then we can lose passion, purpose and intimacy in the relationship. But these can be restored by a conscious decision to focus on the marriage relationship.
How can couples who are engaged or dating build a solid foundation to endure future struggles that might arise in their marriage?
Dr. Schuchts: Dating and engagement are the best time to set a good foundation in marriage. Couples can do this before marriage by developing intimate communion —spiritually and emotionally, and then strengthening companionship and teamwork. This also provides the best foundation for sexual intimacy within marriage. Couples can also learn how to honor each other in the midst of conflict, learn to forgive and restore trust, and heal the wounds brought into the relationship from past experiences.
What is one way St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body can help fortify a marriage?
Dr. Schuchts: John Paul II’s Theology of the Body provides a beautiful vision for marital life which accounts for the complementarity of male and female, and shows God’s design for marriage and family life.
What can attendees expect to get out of the Unveiled retreat in October?
Dr. Schuchts: The Unveiled retreat is fun, inspiring, intense and informative. Couples will be provided the opportunity to build intimacy and respect, while also healing wounds and developing skills and insights for developing a beautiful marriage. The first day provides an inspiring vision for marriage based in the Theology of the Body and a unique teaching approach, human sculpting. The second day is a lot of fun as couples learn and practice skills for building intimacy and enhancing trust. The third day helps men and women to respect their differences and how to cultivate a beautiful sexual intimacy, while healing past hurts and restoring trust.