LOVESTRONG Marriage Documents for Retreat Leaders – LOVESTRONG

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The mission of the LOVESTRONG Marriage Ministry is to support, strengthen, and nurture the Christ-centered marital bond between a man and a woman utilizing an experiential-based weekend retreat program.

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Chris and Stephanie Kwan

Chris and Stephanie Kwan were married in June of 1993 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. They have been parishioners at the Shrine of St. Padre Pio since 2011 where they have been active in many ministries throughout the years. Currently, they are part of a Teams of Our Lady marriage group. Chris participates in TMIY, the Knights of Columbus, the Choir, and is a Eucharistic Minister. Stephanie is a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. The Kwans have three children and one son-in-law, Camille & Alton, Aidan, and Lauren. Chris and Stephanie have been a part of the Lovestrong Ministry since attending their first retreat in 2021. They were part of the first retreat team at their home parish of St. Padre Pio and helped create the parish Lovestrong Steering Committee. Chris and Stephanie are passionate about the importance of this ministry for married couples. Each time they are part of a retreat weekend, they are amazed to see the beautiful impact on the couples. In addition, they find that serving on team is a reward in itself as part of a community that values Christian marriage. The Kwans are humbled to serve on the Executive Committee with a devoted group of people focused on the growth and sustainability of this marriage ministry.

Lorenzo and Itzel Schuessler

Lorenzo and Itzel were married on August 3,2002 at San Juan de Los Lagos Catholic Church in Piedras Negras, Coah Mexico. They are the proud parents of three beautiful girls, Itzel, Michelle, and Nicole. Lorenzo and Itzel have been active parishioners at Holy Spirit since 2013 and currently participate in different ministries including ACTS, LoveStrong, Steering Committee, prayer workshop, MFCC, Divine Mercy Cenacle, VBS and Choir. The couple participated in a LoveStrong retreat as a retreatant couple in 2019, at Holy Spirit parish, and since then, they have been part of the team in different retreats.

By far, LoveStrong Ministry has been their favorite ministry because they can participate together as a couple. And every time they serve, they feel like they’re renewing their wedding vows. They love serving and giving back a portion of what they’ve received. Lorenzo and Itzel are blessed to be part of this wonderful Ministry.

Julieta and Efrain Garza

Efrain and Julieta Garza have been blessed with nearly 29 years of marriage rooted in love, faith, and resilience. They met in northern Mexico, married in the Catholic Church, and began their life together when Efrain was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California. Guided by their shared faith, they raised two children, Sebastian, 27, and Cynthia, 25, who is married to Bernardo. Efrain and Julieta eagerly await the arrival of their first grandchild, Santiago Augustine, a cherished blessing from God. As dedicated parishioners at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels, Efrain and Julieta have served in various ministries, including El Movimiento Familiar Cristiano Católico, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, and now LoveStrong. Their ministry journey has strengthened their commitment to guiding couples in faith. Leading the second Spanish LoveStrong retreat, themed “United Through the Love of God”—”Unidos a través del Amor de Dios,” has been among their proudest accomplishments. The retreat created a nurturing space where couples could strengthen their bond and draw closer to each other and to God, offering a deeply inspiring experience of faith in action. Through this example, Efrain and Julieta hope to inspire others to embrace a Christ-centered marriage anchored in love and unity.

Kim and Larry Bock

Lawrence “Larry” and Kim Bock were married on August 14, 1982 at St Thomas More Catholic Church in San Antonio. They were blessed with two children, Kelly and Kevin, who are both grown and have loving families of their own. Larry and Kim participated in a Lovestrong retreat as a retreatant couple in September 2019, at Holy Spirit parish, where their own marriage was renewed. The experience caused them to want to give back to the ministry to serve other couples. They have participated in several Lovestrong retreats and other activities since then, and now serve on the Executive Committee since 2024. Larry and Kim have contributed to several non-profits separately over the years, and Lovestrong allows them to work together towards the goal of enhancing and strengthening marriages. The couple is passionate about supporting the message of Pope Francis: “New creativity is needed, to express, amid today’s challenges, the values that constitute us as a people…”.

George and Irene Mitschke

George and Irene Mitschke were married on March 1, 1996, and convalidated their marriage a year later at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Selma, Texas. They have been parishioners of Holy Spirit Catholic Church since 2011. Both George and Irene are active within the parish serving as Eucharistic Ministers, ACTS, faith formation teachers, LoveStrong Steering Committee members, Knights of Columbus, Walking with Purpose, and Parish Financial Council. They have a daughter, Annalisa (26), married to Douglas Dalke and a son Philip (24). George retired from the Army in 2007 with 20 years of service and currently works for the Defense Logistics Agency. Irene currently works for the Defense Health Agency. After attending the first LOVESTRONG retreat in 2015, they recognized this ministry provides a community that brings like-minded couples together to strengthen Christian faith-filled marriages and decided to devote their time in helping other couples. They feel truly blessed for the opportunity to serve with this wonderful Marriage Ministry.

Erika and Ramon Villarreal

Ramon and Erika met each other in university and after three years of marriage, married in March 1996. God has blessed them with three sons. For more than a decade, he moved to San Antonio in search of a better future, and found in the Community of the Holy Spirit a place to revive and strengthen his Catholic faith.

Their marital life has deepened to put God at the center, especially through the LOVESTRONG retreat that they lived in 2017. Since then, they have led three retreats and organized the first videoconference in Spanish, reaching couples in America and Europe. Their testimony of marriage has been an example of love, service and faith.

Both serve actively in their community: Ramon es Caballero de Colón, minister extraordinary of the Eucharistía, lector and formator in theology. Erika is also a minister of the Eucharist and has facilitated biblical courses. Groups have participated in ACTS retreats, missions and parish activities, including LifeTeen and the Committee of the Virgin of Guadalupe. After a year of formation, they were commissioned by the archbishop as ministers of formation for the Parochial Ministry.

Gary and Rosie Huth

Rosie and Gary Huth have been devoted parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels for over 12 years. Married for 20 years, they share a beautiful, blended family of five children (Jennifer, Erica, Allison, Drew & Dana) and are proud grandparents to six grandchildren ranging from toddler to teen.

Their deep faith and commitment to service are at the heart of their lives. They are actively involved in the ACTS ministry, the LOVESTRONG Marriage Ministry, and serve on the Steering Committee for LOVESTRONG, helping to strengthen marriages within their faith community. Their passion for giving back extends beyond the church, as they support Family Promise and engage in various volunteer efforts throughout their neighborhood and local community.

Gary honorably served for 20 years in the U.S. Army, bringing a deep sense of dedication and leadership to everything he does. Rosie has built a successful career in technology, blending innovation with her passion for problem-solving and connection.

Jimmie and Dulce Flores

Jimmie and Dulce met in Houston and married in Valencia, Venezuela on May 10, 1997. They have been parishioners at Holy Spirit Catholic Church since 2008, and currently participate in several ministries, including ACTS, SAMMinistries, Knights of Columbus, Hospitality, That Man is You (TMIY), and Walking With Purpose (WWP). Together they are blessed to have four children: Eric (in heaven), Kaitlin (27), Aaron (19), and Helena (14). Jimmie and Dulce have benefited enormously from the LOVESTRONG Ministry and are looking forward to helping other couples strengthen their marriages. They are active participants in both the English and Spanish retreats and served a leadership role in the development and delivery of the inaugural LOVESTRONG Virtual Conferences. To spread this wonderful message, they serve as Assistant Co-Chairs on the Social Media and Virtual Outreach (SMVO) subcommittee. GOD first! LIVE. LOVE. STRONG!

Tom and Didi Kolkebeck— Founding Couple

Tom and Didi were married in June 1996 in San Antonio, TX and they celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary this year. In the Spring of 2014, Tom and Didi, along with Fr. Carlos Velazquez, felt the need to create a Retreat program that would give married couples the opportunity to get closer to each other and closer to God as a couple. With the help of 26 couples from Holy Spirit Parish, the very first LOVESTRONG Retreat took place in February 2015. Since then, Tom and Didi have continued to be actively involved in the growth and development of LOVESTRONG Marriage and currently serve as the Chair-couple of the LOVESTRONG Executive Committee. They have been Holy Spirit Catholic Church parishioners since 2011. Both Didi and Tom have also been active in the ACTS ministry for many years. Tom is the youngest of eight children, Didi, the oldest of four. Tom’s and Didi’s parents have been shining examples of Christian sacramental marriage, having each been married over 60 years. Tom and Didi are the proud parents of three beautiful adult children – Daniela, Elizabeth, and Mateo. We are truly honored and blessed to be a part of this very special Ministry!