Helping the Sydney community with relationships, parenting, ageing, disability, pastoral services and mental wellbeing.
You may ask yourself, ‘Is pre-marriage education really worth it?’
Research says YES!
A study by Lebow and Snyder found that couples who engage in relationship education and counselling are, on average, 80% better off than those who do not. But why is this so important before marriage? The period leading up to marriage is a pivotal time to establish a strong and healthy foundation for your relationship. Marriage and Relationship Education (MRE) is an opportunity to slow down together, and shift focus as a couple off the “big day” and onto the “bigger picture.”
MRE with CatholicCare is delivered in a safe and non-judgmental environment by trained relationship educators and offers you the opportunity to explore key topics including communication, conflict resolution, family of origin, and shared goals. It will equip you with the necessary tools to strengthen your connection as a couple, and to understand the elements needed to build a strong marriage and family.
Some benefits of pre-marriage education with CatholicCare include:
Deepening your connection as a couple.
Support from trained relationship educators and counsellors.
Exposure to current evidence-based research underlying the principles of longevity and satisfaction within your marriage.
Safe and non-judgemental space to discuss plans for your future.
Deepening personal insight and better understanding the impact of your own communication style and family experience.
Free access to Natural Fertility Services offered by CatholicCare.
Tailored for Every Couple
CatholicCare Sydney’s Marriage and Relationship Education program offers two options to cater to couples at different stages of their relationships:
Becoming One Group Course: This group setting encourages shared learning and connection with other couples preparing for marriage.
Intimate II Individual Couple Sessions: These sessions provide a personalised approach with an educator to address unique couple needs and goals. It is recommended for couples navigating blended family dynamics or wanting sessions tailored to their specific situation.
From Nicola Batten
Program Manager:
“Marriage is a beautiful and lifelong vocation, offering deep connection with each other and forming a foundation upon which families can grow and flourish. Our Marriage and Relationship Education program supports couples in deepening their connection with one another and growing in their self-awareness as partners. The research-based evidence presented by our educators provides couples with practical tools to approach communication and conflict, differences between their families of origin, establishing shared goals, and caring for one another through the many seasons of life.”
Investing in your marriage has benefits far beyond your wedding day. The opportunity to deepen your connection with one another will form a foundation for a long-lasting commitment to each other. To learn more about how our Marriage and Relationship Education (MRE) program can support you, visit the link below or call us on 13 18 19 to get started.
Includes data from Hawkins, A. J., et al. (2022). The enduring power of kindness in marriage. Family Process. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12824
