Posts by Francine & Byron Pirola
Porn free, not free porn
The destructive ubiquitousness of porn: It is not a pleasant topic but we need to get serious about addressing the negative impact of pornography on our society and our relationships. When the western world went into lockdown, one of the biggest porn providers made global headlines when it offered free porn for a month. When…
Read MoreFacing the ‘Now what?’ Moments
Our online Mass experience last Sunday took us somewhere a little different. Attending virtual Mass with Fr Rob Galea based in Bendigo and musician Matt Maher in Tennessee gave us a global encounter of the world-wide church. Celebrating the Assumption, Fr Rob noted how the apostles’ journey with Christ was a series of ‘now what?’…
Read MoreProjects for Lockdown Couples
A few months ago, most couples would have dismissed the idea of a couple project as simply a cute idea for which there was no real need. With Netflix over-exposure and tiring of social media and gaming sessions, couple projects are back on the menu of couple entertainment. Couple Projects make a come back A…
Read MoreFinding a different path to fruitfulness
Book Review By Jenny Brinkworth With one in six Australian couples experiencing infertility, a new book by Debra Vermeer will be a welcome resource for Catholic couples. When Catholic convert and respected journalist Debra Vermeer was grappling with the reality that she and her husband Tony could not conceive a child, she found the shelves…
Read MoreVideo: Many Voices, One Promise
This is a magnificent tribute to the glorious commitment that is marriage. Drawn from multiple cultural and religious traditions, the video celebrates and honours the beauty of the marriage commitment. It is one of a series from Humanum Enjoy!
Read MoreClosing the Gap on Marital Distancing
There’s been quite a bit of talk around the increase in marital tension associated with the lock down conditions. Counselling services have rushed to set up online options and law enforcement reports an uptick in restraining orders. What’s going on? This is not the time for a global marital crisis! Normally, we’d say that one of the principle contributors to marriage stress…
Read MoreAre you ready for marriage?
So, you’ve been dating for a while. How do you know if you’re ready for marriage? Before you have the ‘forever conversation’, consider these signs to discern if you are ready to commit, should wait a little longer, or should quit now. Marriage Readiness Check List 1: Self-growth You help each other to be better…
Read MoreLockdown – show down
Tips for couples to survive the Corona lock down The Corona virus is not just a threat to our physical health – it’s also a challenge to our relationships. Across the world, couples are rediscovering the joy – and the pain – of living together 24/7. Without warning, billions of previously interdependent spouses now share…
Read MoreCOVID-19: Wedding Crasher
How to manage your wedding expectations in the time of COVID-19. Throughout the world, engaged couples are reeling in shock. Meticulously planned weddings are unravelling amid the various lock-down policies. In many places, weddings are now limited to the couple, the celebrant, and their witnesses. The disappointment is crushing and the change in plans come…
Read MoreMaking Marriage Permanent
Breaking up is hard to do. We all worry about the state of marriage today, especially with the decreased emphasis on its permanency. Divorce is hard. When marriages breakdown and families are fractured, it’s devastating for those directly involved, and heartbreaking for those who love them. The social impact of divorce ripples through our society…
Read More