Marriage Seminar – Talk Presentation
The Marriage Seminar – Talk Presentation Preparing and delivering a Marriage Seminar talk Mentality The mentality that presenting couples have in approaching how they give their talks is vital in communicating the essence of the message of Celebrate Love. This attitude needs to one of humility and service. This is not about being ‘in the…
Read MoreMarriage Seminar – Spiritual Preparation
There is always lots to do at the last minute – checking talks, packing your things, getting children and the bigger kids organised. While the practical preparation is important, so too is your spiritual preparation. Before the Seminar. A couple of things we encourage presenting couples to do before a seminar is to ensure you don’t…
Read MoreMentoring – Spiritual Preparation
There is always lots to do at the last minute – checking talks, organising refreshments, getting children and the bigger kids organised. While the practical preparation is important, so too is your spiritual preparation. Couple-to-Couple Mentoring/Small Group Ensure you don’t neglect your Skin-to-Skin*. This is so important to your couple unity. Forget about the logistics and…
Read MoreMentoring – Session Preparation #1
One of the advantages of Mentoring in the home is that the Mentors don’t need to be skilled presenters. In fact, the desired atmosphere is one of friendly and personal hospitality. Above all else, Mentors need to be relatable and approachable. Professionalism and heavy theology can actually be a barrier to building rapport with the…
Read MoreGroup Adaptations
While the course is designed for the mentoring format, it has been successfully adapted for small home groups and even larger parish groups. Groups offer the opportunity for couples to exchange ideas though it should be noted that this is a secondary agenda; the primary purpose of the course is to deepen the couple’s intimacy…
Read MoreMentor for the Engaged: FAQs
Session 1: We like to bring the ‘Gender-based Friendship’ reflection point forward before we show the DVD because we find it helpful to have a bit more time with the couple before we play the DVD. When the couple finish the DVD, they go straight onto the Couple Exercise. – Elizabeth & Graham Barter, Chatswood,…
Read MoreNewsflash: Pope says sex is ‘a gift from God’
In Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis writes extensively about many aspects of marriage and family life. In it is a section that is dedicated to affirming the sexual relationship of the married couple as good and holy. Saint John Paul II wrote extensively about the sacredness of marital love making. In this…
Read MoreMercy Gospel Reflections: Apr 17
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 17 April – 4th Sunday of Easter In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we are his sheep and tells us that if we follow him we “will never be lost.” Sometimes we can feel lost in our married life. Perhaps uncertain about our relationship or about concerns for the future. Jesus is…
Read MoreMercy Gospel Reflection: Apr 10
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 10 April – 3rd Sunday of Easter In this week’s Gospel, Jesus asks Peter three times, “do you love me?” Each time he instructs Peter to “feed my sheep” and “look after my sheep.” It’s not enough for Peter just to say “I love you.” Similarly, in marriage it’s not enough just to…
Read MoreMaking the Connection…with Arguments
Neither of us likes it when we disagree, yet we’ve had more than a few in our 28 years of marriage – some of them leading to horrible arguments. When disagreements descend into arguments, they usually become hurtful and unproductive, leaving us feeling bitter and exhausted. But are arguments all bad, or always harmful? Many…
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