Creator of For Better & For Ever Celebrates 60 Years of Ministry
Rev. Robert A. Ruhnke, C.Ss.R.
The Rev. Robert A. Ruhnke has devoted his priesthood to strengthening marriages, families, and the Church. Ordained on June 22, 1966, Fr. Rob’s vision led to the creation of the Sponsor Couples® model and For Better & For Ever,® resources that have prepared and enriched countless couples around the world.
Through his ministry as a pastor, educator, and mentor, Fr. Rob has inspired generations through his dedication, wisdom, and compassion. The Redemptorists along with his friends in the For Better & For Ever community wish to congratulations, Fr. Rob, on the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Thank you for your lifelong commitment to God, the Church, and the vocation of marriage.
What is For Better & For Ever
Inspired by its mission to create strong marriages through accompaniment and conversation, For Better & For Ever® is a marriage preparation and enrichment program that for over 50 years has helped couples begin that journey in mutual understanding and support. The program was developed to offer a more personal, relational, and ecumenical approach to preparing couples for the vocation of marriage.
Today, the ministry supports dating, engaged, and married couples through structured resources that encourage meaningful conversation, reflection, and growth. At the heart of the program is the Sponsor Couple® model, where trained married couples accompany engaged couples through a series of guided discussions. These conversations create space for honesty, shared experience, and deeper understanding as couples prepare for lifelong commitment.
Designed for parish life, For Better & For Ever® works in collaboration with dioceses, clergy, and marriage ministry teams, offering a flexible framework that can be integrated into existing preparation programs. The approach emphasizes accompaniment over instruction, helping couples not only prepare for their wedding day but build a strong foundation for a faithful and lasting marriage.
For parishes, the program provides a practical and proven resource to support marriage ministry. For couples, it offers guidance that is both grounded in Church teaching and rooted in real-life experience.
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