Couples benefit from new wedding course

Conflict resolution and communication are key components of a new wedding preparation course run by the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Archbishop Leo Cushley said that the course, which was launched at a Mass in the church of St Francis Xavier at Falkirk last month, was directed toward the “rediscovery of the beauty of traditional Catholic marriage in a very positive, contemporary and open way”.

At the Falkirk service there was a special blessing for couples preparing for marriage, for couples renewing their vows and for those who have been charged with teaching the new archdiocesan programme.

The archbishop said that the aim of the course was to create “happy and holy Catholic couples – it’s as simple and as exciting as that”.

Directed by Sally McElroy, the archdiocese’s marriage and family life co-ordinator, the new course replaces an existing programme that was no longer considered to offer “a strong enough catechesis on the sacrament of Marriage”.

As well as communication and conflict resolution, the new course explores the spiritual dimensions of Catholic marriage. Many of the teachers on the course will be married couples of long standing. “I hope engaged couples will hear something important and relevant to them at the beginning of their journey towards marriage, but also that they get the chance to learn more as to what it means to make the big decision to get married in the Church and to set out in Christian married life,” said Ms McElroy.

Lisa Rice, 26 and her fiancé, Ross Cavanagh, attended the Mass and she said she hoped the marriage preparation course “will make us a bit stronger as a couple and and to know exactly what we’re getting into when we get married.”

The archdiocese has also launched Archways, a counselling service for couples.