Duane and Rianna Simmons participated in a recent Skills for Sacramental Marriage Building weekend at the Seminary. It was hosted by the Barataria Family Life Unit.
Duane: The two-day session was well planned and executed. It highlighted the common issues couples face and provided the tools to address them. I thoroughly enjoyed the session as it provided a view from a different perspective.
From the daily check-in to the temperament model, these small tools are so monumental in effectiveness—they provide a clear picture of how to manage a relationship.
For me, time has always been a challenge, and the daily check-in has become a helpful tool. It gives your spouse an overview or summary of matters that need to be communicated. I fully endorse this as it helps couples facilitate quick, judgment-free communication.
The temperament model helped me become more aware of both my own personality and my wife’s. It really allowed me to understand things from her perspective, especially her unmet needs. Meeting these needs is crucial to a successful relationship and should constantly be shown through self-giving love.
I have no regrets about the time we spent at this two-day session. I truly appreciate the effort, the hard work, and the time taken by the team in providing support to us as a couple. Their selfless giving of their time was greatly appreciated, and may God continue to bless these families.
Rianna: The power of being in a space where everyone gathered was pro-marriage and actively seeking God’s heart was deeply impactful from the onset. It felt like a safe space.
From the icebreaker, it was obvious how much distance had crept in between Duane and me. Though I was tempted to be embarrassed, I instead leaned into embracing the reality that we had some ground to cover.
The discussion on the natural cycles of relationship hit me personally with a humbling perspective. My illusion was that our marriage preparation and knowledge would save us from the usual pitfalls. But through the facilitators’ testimonies and guidance, I came to a deeper understanding that the process is unavoidable. Marriage is meant to remove pride and restore spiritual nakedness. God is the vinedresser, and in the marital union, our spouse is His chosen tool of pruning.
As the weekend progressed, the required reflections challenged us. Thankfully, the format of the weekend invited us to stay present with each other. That allowed us to honestly share what we were feeling. Naming those feelings made them less frightening, and hearing others share similar (or more difficult) experiences made it less heavy.
The weekend wasn’t easy, but Duane and I did it together—and that was the real gift. I left with a deeper understanding of myself and my husband, a renewed sense of community, and practical tools that I know will help us live out the marriage story God intended for us.
Upcoming Workshops: Skills for Sacramental Marriage Building
- September 27 & 28 – Pointe-a-Pierre
- October 4 & 5 – Chaguanas
- October 24 & 25 – Pt Fortin
- November 8 & 9 – Diego Martin
To register and for more information, please contact familylife@catholictt.org;