MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE RESOURCES
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, COUPLES AND INDIVIDUALS
SMART LOVING ENGAGED
Combining a number of learning methods, the Smart Loving Engaged course is designed to be used in one of four ways – couple to couple mentoring, small home-centred groups, larger groups in parish rooms or online mentored correspondence. Core content is presented on DVD, supported by participant materials with additional take-home activities to stimulate private discussion. Presented by husband and wife teams, the course offers Catholic theology and practical skills and tools for relationships at whatever stage.
MARRIAGE CARE
RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING
We specialise in helping couples form and sustain healthy marriages & relationships, and in providing support in times of relationship difficulty. Why? Because healthy relationships make for better lives, more stable families and a stronger society. We’re ready to help, whatever your circumstances.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT
We all need to revitalise our togetherness. All too easily we get distracted from the really important things. When we are living the joy of togetherness, then our friends and families are blessed too. The Marriage Encounter experience offers you, as a married couple, the opportunity to refresh, enrich and deepen your relationship; to bring the love, joy and sparkle back into your life.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
Responsible parenthood will often involve planning when to have children, God willing, and the Catholic Church believes that this should not be by means of contraception that places a barrier between the partners, or that suppresses the healthy working of the body to make the act infertile.
These actions undermine the full human meaning of sexuality and raise other medical and moral questions that should not be overlooked: the long term health implications they may have for women and the serious impact they seem to be having on the environment. In addition to this, some chemical contraceptives do not operate only by preventing contraception, but also work by preventing those embryos that are occasionally conceived from implanting. The need for effective family planning requires a different and more radical approach.
The Catholic Church advocates a reliable knowledge of the cycle of female fertility and a willingness to agree to abstain from sexual union at certain times. The last twenty years have seen great improvements in this area and Natural Family Planning is now regarded by respected medical authorities as being highly effective for those who are instructed by trained teachers and who are strongly motivated.
BILLINGS METHOD ENGLAND
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
The Billings Ovulation Method® as developed by the Drs. Billings, Australia, validated by eminent international scientists and successfully trialled by the World Health Organisation. Using the body’s natural signal of fertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy and to safeguard your reproductive health.
LIFE
Life is a UK charity for women and families facing unexpected pregnancy or pregnancy loss, including loss through abortion. Our services include: Free emotional help, counselling, and skilled listening via phone, text, email, or in person. Housing and community support around the country for mums and their babies. Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies. Crafting content that educates the public about pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and our work.
RESTORED LIVES
SUPPORTING PEOPLE THROUGH SEPARATION OR DIVORCE
Restored Lives helps people recover from relationship breakdown. By supporting people and their children through separation or divorce, when a relationship is beyond repair, we help reduce the negative effects on individuals, children and communities. We are a charity dedicated to creating resources to support anyone going through the breakup of a significant relationship. These resources include an eight-session course for adults, a five-session workshop for teenagers and young adults whose parents have separated, online sessions and abuse support groups, a book, workbooks and how-to guides.
RETROUVAILLE
FOR MARRIAGES IN TROUBLE
Retrouvaille is the name of a programme designed to help heal and renew marriages. The word "Retrouvaille" simply means "rediscovery". The programme offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your partner and a loving relationship in your marriage.