Rekindling the Hearth: A St. Valentine's Marriage Retreat

Marlane didn’t marry a deacon, she married a farm boy bent on acting for a living.  Soon after their wedding, they were acting together in a Toronto theatre troupe.  Two years later, they formed a mime troupe and toured across Canada for over a decade.  Although they took on roles independent of one another, their priority was to work together.  Expecting their third child, they gave up theatre (mostly) and became full time farmers – together, switching off farm work and child care with one another.  They founded and operated WISDOM Home Schooling and Living Water College of the Arts, and pulled together a team to start the Western Canadian Catholic Home School Conference.  While raising their 6 children and supporting their local parish community of St. Joseph, Derwent, they mounted plays, coordinated Catholic studies, assisted retreats, and provided sacramental preparation.  When Ken entered diaconal formation, they studied together and, 16 years later, they helped The Gilbertine Institute of Catholic Studies become an accredited school authority.  Together, they coordinate and instruct RCIA and Confirmation preparation and throw great parties; their family alone is a party of 32.

Ryan and Anna Topping were married 25 years ago in an Anglican church by a Mennonite minister.  In the following years they first lived in an intentional Christian Community in Winnipeg where they prayed the Liturgy of the Hours and attended Mennonite and Anglican services, then spent a year as neophytes with the Orthodox in Saskatoon, before moving to Oxford, England.  It was during their time studying in England that, after attending John Paul II's funeral, they were received into the Catholic Church.  For the past twenty years Ryan has taught in several Catholic colleges in the US and Canada and written over 10 books on education and culture, while Anna has homeschooled their 10 children and helps run Campion Classical Academy.  When they are not plotting to take over the world, Ryan and Anna enjoy hosting liturgically themed parties, or quietly reading around the fire.  

Colin and Jean MacKenzie are the founders of Holy Union Connect, a ministry dedicated to helping couples strengthen their marriages through faith, communication, and practical support. Inspired by Our Lady of Fatima’s prophetic message that the final battle would be over marriage and family, Colin and Jean are passionate about equipping couples with the tools they need to fight this battle and build resilient, faith-filled relationships. Drawing from their own journey of transformation and healing, they mentor couples, host workshops, and create resources rooted in biblical principles. With warmth and authenticity, they share their story and insights to inspire couples to pursue lasting love and partnership, standing firm in the spiritual significance of marriage and family in today’s world.

James and Miriam Rauch are college sweethearts who have been married for almost seven years. They have four daughters, five years of age and younger, and are very much in the thick of life. Amidst the tempests and joys of life, they have learned that marriage is both a foundation of stability and a school of virtue, without which they would be anchorless. Outside of being a husband and father, James is the headmaster of the Holy House of Our Lady & St. Benedict in Edmonton. For her part, Miriam is the heart of the Rauch home: wife, mother, teacher, and homemaker extraordinaire. In their leisure, James and Miriam enjoy family nature walks, gardening, and deep discussions on faith, culture, or literature over a glass of port.

Colleen and Tony LaGrange met at the campus Pro-life group at the University of Alberta where they were studying Psychology and Chemistry.  They married two years later despite Tony rocking a mullet at the time.  After three years of marriage the company Tony worked for went bankrupt, prompting them to start their own business.  On a shoestring budget they founded and grew Quantum Chemical - eventually buying the assets of Tony's former employer.  They worked together to grow the business while homeschooling 7 children and finding time to volunteer in many family ministries and sit on various boards, including; St Albert Economic Development, Children's Autism Services, and Newman College.  In their spare time Tony is working on his commercial pilot's license and Colleen enjoys gardening and reading everything in her extensive library.

Dax and Rachel have been happily married for the past 15+ years.  They started their adventure of courting then marriage by crisscrossing the country together with a growing family.  As a medical doctor (Dax) and artist (Rachel), this couple is under the shared patronage of St. Luke!  Also, promoting the culture of life is a passion for both! Differences in profession, temperament, and introversion-extroversion have allowed them to learn from each other and have provided ample opportunities for formation in virtue. For the past 11.5 years, Edmonton has been home for the Rumseys.  It has been a true blessing for them to settle down here, to homeschool their 6 children, and to steadily grow in faith, community, and excellence in Love.