Our courses are based on the teachings of the Catholic Church and are offered only to couples preparing to marry in the Catholic Church

Brief overview of the course

At a weekend course, you will hear presentations from married couples and a Catholic priest on the following topics:

1. Orientation
2. Communication & Decision-Making
3. Hurt & Forgiveness
4. Family of Origin
5. Sex & Sexuality
6. Natural Family Planning
7. The Sacrament of Marriage
8. Parenting

In each case, you will be invited to reflect on what you have heard and, as a couple, to discuss the content privately.

You will be provided with a workbook containing course notes and exercises designed to spark open communication between you and your fiancé. Your responses to the exercises are completely private.

 

Communication & Decision-Making

After orientation, our first topic introduces the importance of open communication to the development of real intimacy in marriage. We also consider how to go about making decisions that will affect you as a married couple.

 

Hurt & Forgiveness

We then explore the crucial issue of how to overcome the inevitable hurts and conflicts of married life, offering suggestions to assist in healing those hurts and forgiving each other.

 

Family of Origin

In this session, we consider the impact of the family culture in which we have grown up on the new family created by your marriage, and how to navigate through the difficulties that can arise from differing traditions, experiences and expectations.

 

Sex & Sexuality

Marriage is a relationship defined by the sexual union of the spouses. In this session, we reflect on Catholic teaching on sex and sexuality, and how it can help you to achieve true intimacy and joy in your marriage.

 

Natural Family Planning

A qualified practitioner in the modern science of natural family planning will explain the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of learning about your fertility, and the place this knowledge has in an authentically Catholic marriage.

 

The Sacrament of Marriage

A Catholic priest will present the sacramental teaching of the Church in relation to marriage, answering any questions you may have. Confessions can be arranged on request.

 

Parenting

In the final presentation, we look forward to the birth of your first child and offer some advice from a Catholic perspective on how to assume the responsibilities and joys of parenthood—while also taking care of your marriage.

 

NFI is a not-for-profit organisation, run entirely by volunteers

Presenting couples are not paid. Most have themselves attended NFI courses and generously offer their time and personal experience of marriage freely.

 

Our marriage preparation course provides you with the tools you need to build a lasting, joyful and faith-filled marriage