Building the Domestic Church one Marriage at a Time

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Mike grew up in Buffalo, NY, the middle of three children, son of Wray Carlton, fullback for the Buffalo Bills. Laurie was raised in Youngstown, OH, the oldest of three, daughter of a Lebanese Maronite father and convert mother. They met in 1988 at Miami University, Oxford Ohio, where Mike played football and Laurie was on the dance team. They were married in Youngstown, Ohio in July of 1991 as an interfaith couple, Mike being Presbyterian and Laurie a cradle Catholic.  They began their marriage in Cincinnati, “church shopping” and working for six years before having children, then moving to Atlanta in 1997, which changed everything for them as a couple.  Mike converted to the Catholic Church, they had six children and set up marriage ministries in their parish and the diocese.  They were the founders of MAC, Marriages Are Covenants ministry, and more recently PROMISE, Program to Renew and Optimize Marriages in Sacramental Enrichment.  In addition, they have given talks at churches around Atlanta, been interviewed on Catholic Radio and televised on EWTN Catholics Come Home program.  For additional information regarding their ministry or to book them as speakers, go to www.mikeandlauriecarlton.com or integratedcatholiclife.org (Integrated Catholic Life) where Mike is a writer and speaker.

Miami Merger

The university’s most well-known tradition, When two hearts beat as one and both attended Miami, it’s a Miami Merger. If you kiss under the Upham Hall Arch, you will marry and the bond will never be broken.

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Yeager Stadium, Fall 1989

Upham Arches

Upham Arch, Spring 2018

Marriage Insights and Interviews

Journey Home

Journey Home

EWTN Global Catholic Television Network: Journey Home - Marcus Grodi - Mike Carlton - Former Presbyterian

Catholics come home

Catholics Come Home

Couple overcomes challenge, now cheerleads for stronger Catholic marriages. Discover how the Holy Spirit transformed the Carltons independent challenges into a holy plan for a healthy marriage and family. Hear how the near death of their son solidified their prayer life and trust in God.

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The Marriage Minute

What makes a good marriage? What takes a couple from that special ceremony to their 25th anniversary and beyond?

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Gala Chair Couple 2024

Laurie and Mike Carlton recorded live at the Thy Kingdom Come! RC Atlanta Gala on Sunday, October 20, at the Georgia Aquarium.

Featured Speaking Engagements

Explore our Featured Speaking Engagements, where we delve into insightful discussions on three distinct facets of marriage, sharing wisdom, faith, and personal experiences to inspire and strengthen couples on their marital journey.

Temperaments God gave you

In our speaking engagement titled 'Temperaments God Gave You,' we delve into the fascinating world of personality temperaments, helping couples discover how their unique traits and tendencies can enrich their marriage, deepen their understanding of each other, and strengthen their bond in God's love.

Love Languages

In our Love Languages speaking engagement, we guide couples on a journey of self-discovery and connection, helping them unlock the profound language of love to nurture deeper emotional intimacy and lasting harmony in their marriage.

Mission and Testimonials

Our mission is to educate couples to forge deeper connections through divine understanding and mutual respect. We believe that the sacred covenant of marriage is both a heavenly gift and a lifelong journey of growth. Through our engaging talks on the temperaments God has bestowed, the universal languages of love, and the harmonious blend of masculine and feminine energies, we aim to provide couples with the knowledge and tools to celebrate their unity in diversity. As we illuminate paths to emotional intimacy and spiritual bonding, we are committed to nurturing marriages that stand as testaments of love, grace, and enduring partnership in faith.

Bruce Carlisle

"We have found that by attending regular gatherings like PROMISE, we are better able to keep our focus on serving and loving one another and God. Being around like-minded couples is a great reminder of the witnesses we are called to be to the world.  PROMISE is a great program to strengthen our marriage."

Jeff and Lisa Showalter

St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church

“The Promise ministry gives Lisa and I a chance to get away from the kids for a date night to focus on us.  The fellowship and talks are very helpful and give us new tools to help our marriage.”

Dina and Vince Vassil

St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church

“This marriage program offers us a nice date night that includes more than just dinner.  It offers us content that we use to help our relationship.”