Marriage Preparation Programme

Supporting material

The articles below are designed to provide extra material to supplement the material discussed in each session of the programme.  Please take the time to use them as aids to help you reflect on the material covered in a little more depth.

Introduction: Behold the Lamb of God

Ten ways to deepen our relationship with God http://catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/spiritual-life/ten-ways-to-deepen-our-relationship-with-god.html#.VGXVMrrUZot.twitter

Session One: What is Marriage?

The meaning of marriage: http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2013/03/the-meaning-of-marriage

Real Love Is a Choice http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-adam-smith/real-love-is-a-choice_b_6039412.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

The Sacrament of Marriage vs. Cohabitation http://www.thecatholicthing.org/2009/12/30/the-sacrament-of-marriage-vs-cohabitation/

Session Two: Marriage as Covenant

Marriage doesn’t take away your freedom – quite the opposite, Pope says http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/marriage-doesnt-take-away-your-freedom-quite-the-opposite-pope-says-61699/

The meaning of marriage http://jerichotree.com/2015/07/21/the-meaning-of-marriage/

How marriage will get us to heaven – or why I change the toilet paper roll http://www.catholicsistas.com/2013/07/31/how-marriage-will-get-us-to-heaven-or-why-i-change-the-toilet-paper-roll/

A beautiful story of love and commitment http://catholicexchange.com/the-mystery-of-christian-marriage-felix-elisabeth-leseur#.Vlmyi8dHsmU.twitter

Session Three: Unity and Sexuality

The science of attraction: How the pill is changing who women want http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-science-of-attraction-how-the-pill-is-changing-who-women-want-79290/

Contraception and Natural Family Planning http://www.scribd.com/doc/36290017/Contraception-and-Natural-Family-Planning#scribd

What I Wish I’d Known Before Watching Porn http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-dubinsky/porn-addiction_b_1686481.html

It would seem that living together before marriage would reduce the risk of divorce, but evidence shows this isn’t the case: http://family-studies.org/why-doesnt-living-together-before-marrying-decrease-the-risk-of-divorce/

Session Four: Married Life

Why Do Marriages Fail?  Here’s One Ofter-Overlooked Root  http://blog.adw.org/2014/10/why-do-marriages-fail-heres-one-often-overlooked-root/

The most overlooked characteristic of who you want to marry http://familyshare.com/marriage/the-most-overlooked-characteristic-of-who-you-want-to-marry

God has a magnificent plan for the family! Our families are supposed to be natural schools of love and virtue: https://www.osv.com/Article/TabId/493/ArtMID/13569/ArticleID/16971/The-%E2%80%98ordinary%E2%80%99-vocation-of-the-domestic-church.aspx

Your Wedding Day

Dating and Engaged http://www.foryourmarriage.org/dating-engaged/engaged-2/

Meaning of the Tabernacle Lamp in Catholic Churches http://taylormarshall.com/2010/11/meaning-of-tabernacle-lamp-in-catholic.html

The Sign of the Cross http://www.fisheaters.com/sign.html

Pre-Marital Reflection Exercise

At your introductory session you will be given a Pre-Marital Reflection Exercise to help you think about your and your future spouses background and expectations.  It is purely for your use.  You will not be asked to share or discuss it, although if it does raise any significant issues, the priest and those couples on the marriage preparation team will be happy to discuss things privately with you, if you so wish. 

The exercise can be downloaded here