Relationship Tips
Serial Dating or Smart Dating?
Why is it that as a society we only get serious about saving a marriage when it is under threat of ending? What might happen if we paid as much attention to the front end of the marriage, at the second or third date? Persuing Romance The reality is that most people will marry someone…
Read MorePartner Selection
How do you know what to look for in a romantic partner? One young woman liked to tell us she had three simple criteria for a boyfriend: good massages, could fix her car and curly hair! We’re sure she was joking but at least she was thinking about it. Dr John Van Epp is a…
Read MoreFrancis: Three Magic Words
Three Magic Words On St Valentine’s Day this year, Pope Francis gathered with 20,000 Engaged Couples to encourage them in their journey. Reflecting on the ‘art’ of married life, Francis noted that it is “a patient, beautiful and fascinating journey” which doesn’t end when we win over each other’s heart. On the contrary it is…
Read MoreThree Magic Words
Three Magic Words On St Valentine’s Day this year, Pope Francis gathered with 20,000 Engaged Couples to encourage them in their journey. Reflecting on the ‘art’ of married life, Francis noted that it is “a patient, beautiful and fascinating journey” which doesn’t end when we win over each other’s heart. On the contrary it is…
Read MoreMaking Fun is Serious Business
Counsellors and educators often talk about the importance of fun in a marriage. For those of us raising families, couple fun is one of the first casualties in the busy family schedule. Enter the Couple Project! – a great way to put fun back on the agenda with these multiple benefits: Time together. This is…
Read MoreMentor: FAQs
How do we get the couples to sign up for the course? Marketing of the course is really about targeting the parish priests. Most want to know at the beginning of the year what is available over the next 12 months, so contact the parishes in your area early on so that the priests are…
Read MoreMentor: Tips from the Experts
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 MoreEngage Mentor – Group 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 – Spiritual Preparation
Luke & Vanessa Van Beek, Perth, Australia. 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…
Read MoreMentor Preparation – Sharings
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…
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