Marriage Preparation for Individual Couples

Marion Clorey, M.Ed., Canadian Certified Counsellor, will be offering marriage preparation on an individual couple basis in a three session format at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. This will be available on Mondays between 8:30am and 4:30pm and Tuesdays 8:30am - 12:30pm beginning April 4th, 2011. The cost is $150 for the three, one hour sessions including materials. Usually the one hour sessions are held once a week over a three week period so the couple can work on material in between the sessions.

About the Program

The understanding that marriage is a Sacrament and is modeled on Christ’s unconditional and permanent commitment to His people forms the basis of the program. The facilitator explores with the couple how they will live out this Sacrament through:

• bringing the gift of God’s love into each others’ lives
• fostering the baptismal call of the other and
• being open to generating new life.

Resource

The program uses the FOCCUS© ( Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) program as a tool. Couples complete the FOCCUS inventory and are given handouts relevant to the needs of their situation.

Topics

Subsequent sessions address the issues of:

• personality match
• sexuality
• parenting
• finances
• extended family
• friends and interests
• lifestyle expectations
• communication styles
• spirituality and values

The couples are assisted in exploring their individual perspectives and how they might problem solve areas of difference.

Additional Topics

Other issues which may be of particular relevance to the couple e.g. domestic violence, effect of previous relationships and addictions may also be addressed.

Who Might Be Interested

The individual couple format is suited for any couple but may be especially helpful in particular circumstances such as when

• the couple is older
• the couple has been living together for a long time and/or are parenting
• there is a remarriage after an annulment or widowhood
• the couple are forming a blended family
• the couple is involved in a long distance relationship

How to Sign Up

Couples interested in meeting as an individual couple with Marion for marriage preparation should contact their pastor for a referral to this service before contacting Marion to set up appointment times. She can be reached at mgclorey@gmail.com or by calling (902) 675 - 2598 and leaving a voice mail.

Confidentiality

The Individual Marriage Preparation is a confidential service. At the couple’s request, a letter will be sent to their pastor indicating the couple has attended the program.