Engaged Encounter in LA: Couples learn how to put God before marriage

John and Amy Sabol, who volunteer with Catholic Engaged Encounters retreats, pose with their wedding photo near a poster listing the weekend’s themes. (Theresa Cisneros)

As volunteers for Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE), John and Amy Sabol have spent the last 28 years helping engaged couples plan for their big day by preparing them for what comes after their big day.
The Sabols, who’ve been married for 50 years, help run CEE weekend retreats where they encourage couples to bring God into their relationship and develop healthy communication habits, as a reminder that a wedding lasts a day, while a marriage lasts a lifetime.

The Sabols said their own marriage was strengthened by sharing their life story with retreat participants and explaining how forgiveness, open communication, and making a conscious decision to love your spouse even in difficult times can lead to a more fulfilling union.

“We always talk about how marriage is work,” said John, “but we also try to tell them that it’s worth it. Being in a good relationship with your partner is worth more than anything else.”

“We’ve learned that we’re kind of best friends as well as a married couple,” Amy added.

The Sabols are part of a global network of priests and married couples who present weekend retreats for CEE, an international Catholic marriage preparation program that grew out of the Marriage Encounter program about 50 years ago.

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, couples can meet marriage preparation requirements by completing a CEE weekend retreat.

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