Mission of Marriage and Family
Our Purpose
We support parishes in their mission to draw families into communion with Christ within the marriage catechumenate.
How we Serve
We offer formation and coaching to parish leaders on the implementation of the Marriage Catechumenate (see our Resources page for information). We also host retreats in English and Spanish for engaged couples called Genesis: Pre-Cana Retreat and our newly renamed version, This One at Last: Pre-Cana Retreat (formerly Genesis II), and we support a growing network of Natural Family Planning ambassadors and instructors. We lead and co-host various events to celebrate and strengthen marriage and family life, including the annual Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Masses, the St. Gerard Mass of Hope for the Blessing of Children, and The Gift of Fertility for parents to attend with their middle-school-age children.
Upcoming MARRIAGE AND FAMILY Events
Saturday, February 1st 2025 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Location: Savanah Center 5533 Chappell Crossing Blvd, West[...]
(Spanish speaking couples only)15 de marzo9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center 5440 Moeller Ave, Norwood, OH 45212Mientras te preparas para tu matrimonio, te invitamos a ser[...]
(Spanish speaking couples only)30 de Agosto9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.St. Susanna Catholic Church616 Reading Rd, Mason, OH 45040Mientras te prepares para tu matrimonio, te invitamos a ser parte de una[...]
CONTACT US
Adriana Vasquez
Contact Me For:
• Information about the marriage catechumenate and sexual ethics
• Questions about fertility awareness and Natural Family Planning
• Support to any married couples facing the cross of infertility and miscarriage
Bio: My role at the Center is to offer leadership formation on marriage and family and all related topics, including Natural Family Planning in Spanish and English. It is a great joy to work with newly engaged and married couples and teach my Catholic faith at the same time.
A Little About Me: My husband Samuel, who is managing director of Hispanic Evangelization, and I married in 2010 and we are blessed with two children. I love playing with my kids, making pilgrimages to Marian shrines, listening to and playing classical music, reading novels, and making/eating guacamole (my favorite food).
Favorite Saint: Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. John Paul II (three way tie!)
Favorite Bible verse: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)
David Ulmer RN BSN
Contact Me For:
- NFP and Chastity outreach events
- General questions about Natural Family Planning and Chastity
- Information and support on issues of sexual morality, reproductive technology, and other related topics
Bio: My role is to promote and teach the virtue of chastity, primarily with young adults and couples in the first 5 years of married life. I hope to facilitate connections to Christ - the Way, the Truth and the Life - and share the good news of the beauty of God’s creative design and purpose for sexuality and marital intimacy. It is a blessing to help young people lay strong foundational stones on which to build their lives and marriages.
A Little About Me: I am a husband, father, and a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in pediatrics both in the clinical setting and at home with 9 kids. I graduated from Cedarville University with a BA in biology and a minor in biblical studies, and then received a nursing degree. My wife and I have been NFP instructors for 18 years. During our training, it was the teachings of the Catholic Church, in particular Humanae Vitae, that drew us into full communion with the Body of Christ at the Easter Vigil in 2005.
Favorite Saint: St. John the Baptist and St. Frances de Sales
Favorite Bible verse: “Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” Phil 3:13-14
Denise Austing
Contact me for:
- Any general Center questions
Bio: I am the main administrative assistant for the Center for New Evangelization. I support the efforts of all the various parts of the Center. I am everywhere! I love the opportunity to support the great work the Center is doing for the Church and I am able to connect a lot with the people in parishes.
A Little About Me: I am a life-long West-Side Cincinnati native. In fact, I grew up on the same street my father grew up on. I have been an administrative assistant at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for all of my professional career, right out of Seton High School. In my free time I enjoy vacationing & spending time with my family & friends.
Favorite Saint: St. Anne
Favorite Bible Verse: “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” Philippians 4:13
Katie Englefield
Contact me for:
- Information regarding the Genesis marriage prep retreat
- Becoming a presenting couple for a Genesis retreat
- Hosting a Genesis retreat at your parish
- Becoming a mentor couple to walk with an engaged couple
Bio: My role at the Center is to coordinate Genesis, the marriage preparation program at the Archdiocese. I also organize mentor couples to walk with couples during their engagement. With over 17 years of catechetical experience, including youth, young adult and marriage and family ministry, I look forward to helping couples deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and one another.
A Little About Me:I am originally from San Diego, CA, and after meeting my husband Josh as an undergrad at Franciscan University, decided to stay in the Midwest. After 17 years of marriage we are both proud Ohioans and parents to five wonderful children. I am a road trip fanatic, classic literature enthusiast and a gatherer of people around the dinner table.
Favorite Saint: St. Catherine of Siena
Favorite Bible Verse: "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28