Frank and Julie LaBoda, from Cross Plains, Wisconsin, are international coordinators for the Retrouvaille program that helps couples experiencing troubled times in their marriage.

CNA spoke about the appointment with Julie LaBoda, who said their nomination was “really humbling.” At the same time, she said, the position will draw on their ministry, which she described as “who we are; it’s what we do.”

For the past 11 years the two have been involved in Retrouvaille, which Julie described as a “peer ministry” for couples who have experienced pain and misery in marriage. Retrouvaille participants share the “gifts of hope and reconciliation” and show how it is possible to have unity again.

The ministry is available in 24 countries around the world.

The LaBodas said they were happy to represent Retrouvaille and especially marriage in the United States. 

Julie LaBoda said she did not know exactly what they would be doing for the Pontifical Council on the Family, but reported that she and her husband had met with its president, Cardinal Ennio Antonelli.

She described the Council as the arm of the Church that is invested in what the Church has to say and do about marriage and the family throughout the world.

The Council will be meeting by e-mail and will include the LaBodas if they have any questions for them.

LaBoda said her and her husband’s work with Retrouvaille and their own experiences would be “infinitely beneficial” in their consultations with the Council.

We know firsthand from our own broken marriage and almost divorce that hope is possible
and that the Church cares about marriage. God created marriage. It’s fabulous that the Church is fighting for us,” she told CNA.

“If we can be that voice for the committee, Amen.” 

There’s more at the CNA link.  And you can find more information on Retrouvaille at this website.