TRANSFORMED MARRIAGES
"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
Romans 12:2
This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:31-32
Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church.
St. John Paul II
Transformed Marriages (TM) is dedicated to strengthening marriages through a combination of activities that range from couples meeting other couples, social gatherings like the annual Dinner Date Night at the Ave Maria University ballroom, group prayers, talks focused on common marriage issues,
and even one to one couple counseling.
Couples meetings are held throughout the year in both English and Spanish, potluck meals are served to build community, and childcare is available during the meetings in order to allow couples time to focus on their marriage.
Each couple is called to live out their sacrament of marriage in the way God intended it to be lived out. A strong couple is the foundation of a strong family that benefits not only the family but the rest of the community and society.
Regardless if you are new to Ave Maria or have lived in the Ave Maria for years, TM is for you and your spouse. Even if you do not live in Ave Maria or are just visiting free feel to visit TM to experience what is possible in your marriage with other married couples supporting you along the way.
Come and experience the fullness of marriage and renew your marriage vows each time you say "I do" to marriage.
For more information about upcoming TM events and meetings, and or one-on-one mentorship contact Jorge and Karla Cebreros at:
At the heart of Transformed Marriages is the pursuit of a deeper union with Christ as we walk alongside other families.
We are rooted in the mission of Jesus: "to preach good tidings to the poor;
to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD" (Isaiah 61:1-2a).
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we undertake an integrative process that gradually allows Christ to transform our minds.
We intertwine our daily family interactions with Sacred Scripture and Tradition, drawing wisdom and guidance to help couples grow in the essential aspects of human formation—human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral.
We firmly believe that true and lasting transformation, leading to genuine conversion, can only come from being in God's presence, the ultimate source of strength and security. Thus, a sacramental, Christ-centered life is fundamental to all Transformed Marriages encounters and practices.
Growing Together in Human, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Pastoral Formation
"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."
St. John Paul II
Remain In Me
John 15:5
Marriage is a Divine Institution that cannot survive solely through human efforts.
Through the sacrament of marriage God gives us the grace not just survive, but to thrive in our marriages, enabling us to love one another with God's own love; therefore only one thing is needed, to remain in Him.
About Karla and Jorge
Karla and Jorge began their marriage in 1999, they have two sons, and now reside in Ave Maria, Florida.
For the past fifteen years, Jorge and Karla have been dedicated to homeschooling their children, serving as foster parents, and mentoring individuals and couples.
Having faced the pain of divorce in their own families and endured crises in their marriage, they describe their relationship and family life as a testament to God’s grace and miraculous intervention.
Transformed Marriages emerged from their deep commitment to sharing Christ's love with the world. Through this ministry, they guide individuals, couples, and families toward a profound encounter with Jesus Christ and the richness of the Catholic Faith.
Karla and Jorge are passionate about spreading a message of hope to each couple they come in contact with. “God only needs one willing heart,” Karla and Jorge say, inviting you to open your heart and witness the transformative power of Christ in your marriage and family.
Transformed Marriages is the marriage program at Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, Florida where Karla and Jorge lead the Marriage and Family Ministry and the Marriage Preparation Program. They are both certified facilitators for the Prepare & Enrich Marriage Assessment and are Unbound-trained.
Karla is also a Certified Leadership and Talent Management Coach, Graduate and Facilitator of Encounter School of Ministry.
You can find more about her work at www.karlacebreros.com
"Transformation hurts, but so does staying stuck"
For 1-on-1 Mentorship or Couple Sessions
Come & See
Couples meetings are held throughout the year in both English and Spanish, potluck meals are served to build community, and childcare is available during the meetings in order to allow couples time to focus on their marriage.
Even if you do not live in Ave Maria or are just visiting free feel to visit TM to experience what is possible in your marriage with other married couples supporting you along the way.
Come and experience the fullness of marriage and renew your marriage vows each time you say
"I do" to marriage.
Meetings 2024-2025
Donahue Academy
4955 Seton Way, Ave Maria, FL 34142
4:00 p.m. - 6:30 pm
Childcare Available
Special Events
2025 Marriage Retreat
Retreat details coming soon.
Stay tuned!
Previous Events
SOLD OUT
2024 Mariage Retreat
Aug. 23rd & 24th, 2024
Fr. Shawn Monahan
OMV
March 2023 Retreat
"Marriage and the Eucharist"
Rekindle your love for the Eucharist and
for each other.
“The marital act is nothing but a fragile and shadowy image of Communion in which, after having offered ourselves under the appearance of bread and wine and having died to our lower self, we now begin to enjoy that ecstatic union with Christ in Holy Communion-a oneness which is, in the language of Thompson, ‘a passionless passion, a wild tranquility.’ This is the moment when the hungry heart communes with the Bread of Life.”
Venerable Fulton Sheen
Testimonials
Luisa & James Cabrera
St. Edward's Parish, 2010
Transformed Marriages was the answer to our prayer as a couple together with other couples asking God for a ministry that, in the light of the gospels and the teachings of the church (Catechism), will help us grow, live and face all the challenges in the different stages and areas that carry Marriage, children, Family and Extended Family. Transformed marriages helped us to put in order areas of our lives as spouses and parents, especially in communication. We received tools to work in the different areas of our family relationship and our relationship as spouses was strengthened. We thank God for all the blessings we received through Jorge & Karla and that we have been able to bring to other couples. God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.. In our prayers, James & Luisa Cabrera
Suzette & Jose Montañez
Ave Maria Parish, 2022
Once married, we really did not have much support, or great examples, on how to live our marriage as our faith intends. Fast forward almost 17 years, we were being called to move to Ave Maria. Now it is clear to us, it was so we could join Transformed Marriages. Life, the world, external factors were really starting to take a toll in our marriage. Once in Ave, we joined the Transformed Marriages group. Week by Week, by practicing what we had learned there, we saw how our marriage, and our faith, were mended. We thank God for the blessings we received through the Transformed Marriages ministry.
Jane & Bob Popik
Ave Maria Parish, 2023
Very fruitful ministry! It brings healing, joy, and improvement to marriages... and is so much fun, you don't realize you are actually working on your marriage! "Come to me, all who are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30
Morelba & Freddy García
St.John XXIII Parish, 2012
For us, it was a blessing to have been in Transformed Marriages, it really was a great support for our relationship as a couple and in our pilgrimage together on the path of our Lord. A true support to our marriage relationship and with the Church. Thank you very much Jorge and Karla for so much love.
Joly Mendes & Gil Villasmil
St. John XXIII, Ft. Mayers, Fl. 2022
We want to share with you how wonderful it has been to be part of Transformed Marriages. We find in this group a space where love and connection with God flourish in our married lives. As we move forward in our relationship, sometimes facing challenges, we discover that marriage is more than just a coming together of two people; it is a sacred path that leads us towards holiness. In Transformed Marriages, we have had the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to God and to each other. The teachings shared by other members have constantly reminded us that love and mutual respect are the foundation of a blessed marriage. As we share our experiences and learnings with other couples, we realize that we are not alone on this journey. Each encounter inspires us to renew our promise of love, to value the little things that make our relationship special, and to find beauty in everyday moments. Through prayer and reflection, we have understood that our marriage is a blessing that we must care for and cultivate. We are grateful for Transformed Marriages, a place where God's love is manifested through our stories and where we realize that together, as couples, we can transform and grow in holiness. We encourage all couples, both those who are about to get married and those who have been together for years, to join this beautiful path of love, spiritual growth and constant renewal. With love and gratitude, Joly Mendes y Gil Villasmil
Esperanza & Jose Bolaños
St Edward Parish, 2011
It was a blessing for us to have attended the Ministry of Transformed Marriages as participants and later as servers. There were many tools that we used according to each topic discussed, this allowed us to discover great gaps that did not allow peace and harmony in our home. It is an invaluable gift that has strengthened our union by putting Christ at the center of our lives. Esperanza and Jose
Maria & Sean McCormick
Ave Maria Parish, Fl. 2025
We moved to Ave Maria in September 2022. After leaving New York we realized that it was important to connect with a marriage community to strengthen and support our marriage. Transforming Marriages allows us to strengthen our marriage both spiritually and emotionally. Not only does it provide a place to support marriage in a world where marriage is constantly under attack. It also is a community of couples that honor the sanctity of marriage. Transformed Marriages allows us to share our joys and our challenges of being married couples. We have learned so much from couples that are part of Transformed Marriages. We have learned from couples who have only been married a few years to couples who have been married many years. TM has given us great friendships that we value very much. TM allows us to share deeply with our “marriage family”
Alma & Javier Cue
Ave Maria Parish, Fl. 2025
“TM has truly been a game changer for our home. Learning about God’s plan for our marriage has made such a big difference in our family life. We just wish we had these tools earlier in our relationship. We wholeheartedly recommend this ministry to every couple!”
Anamaria & Bernardo Tavera
Ave Maria Parish, Fl. 2025
We’ve been married for over 25 years and initially joined the Marriage Ministry out of obligation, thinking we were a stable couple who didn’t really need it—what a big mistake. From the very beginning, we discovered deep Catholic truths about marriage we had never learned. Now in our third year, each session renews us, making our marriage stronger and happier in every aspect: faith, finances, intimacy, social life, and service. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit. True protection and joy in marriage come from constant learning, prayer, and inviting God into every part of our journey.
"If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes"
