Helping the Sydney community with relationships, parenting, ageing, disability, pastoral services and mental wellbeing.
Offering pre-marriage education and relationship enrichment for couples, paving the way for a happy future.
Our professional educators apply tried and tested methods to deepen the connection between couples in preparation for a sacramental marriage. Couples reflect on their relationship, build marriage and relationship skills and establish core values, goals and aspirations as a couple.
A group-based marriage preparation course combining evidence-based research on marriage and relationships with experiential activities and coaching by professional experienced educators.
The Becoming One Group Course is suitable for couples ranging from younger engaged couples who may not be living together to those who have been in a relationship for a longer period of time, to couples considering marriage and wanting to strengthen their relationship skills.
The overall focus of the Group Course is shifting couples’ focus to the Bigger Picture of building and sustaining a lasting healthy marriage. Key topics explored in the course are:
Couple sessions involve one couple meeting with a facilitator over 3 sessions of approximately 1.5 hours. These sessions are suitable for older couples, those in longer-term relationships, couples who have children together or from a previous relationship, and who may have been married before. It is also suitable for married couples seeking to strengthen their relationship, or couples seeking to move towards engagement but experiencing some relationship issues.
Our Individual couple sessions offer relationship skill-training, whilst also identifying deeper issues that may be further explored in counselling if needed. The customised PREPARE report adds a comprehensive assessment component to the sessions.
Times & dates are arranged between couples and their facilitator. Please note that to allow time for a report & the allocation of a facilitator, we need at least 8 weeks' notice prior to your wedding date to complete the sessions.
We offer marriage and relationship education courses in Lewisham, Sydney City, Waverly and Liverpool. Our programs are also available online and online video conferencing technology will replace face-to-face sessions as required.
Download our 2024 course schedule for course dates and how we can help you grow and nurture loving relationships in your life.
To discuss our courses in more detail and to reserve your place contact us online or call our friendly team on 13 18 19.
Do you have to be Catholic to attend the Becoming One or Intimate II course?
No.
Do you offer online consultations?
Yes there are Zoom courses available if required.
Do you have a fee for your services?
Yes there is- $400 for the Becoming One course and $525 for the Intimate II course.
Do we need a certificate of attendance to be married in the Catholic Church?
Your Priest will advise on paperwork required, including a certificate of course attendance.
What is the difference between Marriage/Relationship Education (MRE) and Marriage Counselling?
MRE provides you with foundational skills and research to apply to the sacrament of marriage. Marriage counselling helps couples in long term committed relationships to overcome the challenges of their particular relationship.
How long are the courses?
Couples attend 3 sessions over 3 weeks (2.5 hours each group session, 1.5hours per individual session).
How many couples are in the group at one time?
There are a maximum of 14 couples in a group at one time.
Can I pay for the course over a period of time?
We do require payment to confirm a booking. Concession rates available for holders of a Government Healthcare card.
My partner lives/works interstate- can they still attend?
Yes, they would be able to attend online.
Why should I complete a pre cana course?
The sacrament of marriage is a gift worth investing in. Strong marriages build strong families.
Is there a waiting list?
We offer numerous course options throughout the month which reduces waiting time for a course.
How soon after completing the course can we receive our certificate?
Once all sessions have been attended, and all documentation completed, you will receive your certificate.
Why should we attend MRE?
Many couples wonder why they need to attend pre-marriage education, but no-one questions it at the end of the course. Attendees find they learn so much about each other, as well as develop their relationship and communication skills for the future. Building strong foundations for your marriage is worth it!