Couples wishing to marry in the Catholic Church are strongly advised to attend a Pre-Marriage course; ideally before you announce your engagement or a minimum of six months prior to your wedding day.
The first part of the course is called
FOCCUS,
Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study. This is a diagnostic instrument designed to help couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship. It is not intended as a predictor of success or failure in marriage, but rather provides a tool to help couples name and work through issues before marriage. FOCCUS will take 2 evenings.
Following FOCCUS, there are two skill enhancement courses available ("Evenings for Engaged" and “Love is a Decision”). The course material covers topics that are essential for building a successful marriage:
- Exploring our origins
- Building a shared understanding of Marriage
- Sharing ourselves - Intimate communication
- Coping with difference - Managing conflict
- Intimacy/ Sexuality- Giving Love, Giving Life
- To Have and to Hold – Sacrament of Marriage
Courses are held weekly over a six week period or, for couples who have no time available during the week, a limited option is available on two consecutive Saturdays. The courses are facilitated by leader couples, who also share the ups and downs of their own marriage.
Click here to register for your course online.
The registration form will open in a pop-up window, so you may need to add an exception to any pop-up blockers on your browser.Post-Wedding
After 1-2 years, couples are invited to attend a post-wedding afternoon to reflect on their journey as a married couple so far.