Location
Date and Time
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
About this Event
This seven-week course by Alpha International is for all couples seeking to enrich their marriage. Topics covered include:
- Strengthening Connection
- The Art of Communication
- Resolving Conflict
- The Power of Forgiveness
- The Impact of Family
- Good Sex
- Love in Action
Couples are given time to discuss aspects of their relationship privately; There will be no group sharing.
The course is presented as a dynamic video with in-person and online options available at registration. Parishes hosting this event are:
- Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Surrey
- Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Burnaby
- Saint Francis de Sales Parish, Burnaby
- Saint Nicholas Parish, Langley
- Saint Paul’s, Richmond
If the above dates or location do not work for you, Saint Patrick’s Vancouver is hosting The Marriage Course on Tuesday evenings from October 10 to November 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Learn more and register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this new?
The Marriage Course started in 1996 and there was a remake in early 2020 by Alpha International. Today, it is in over 127 countries, in 45 languages and has reached over 1 million couples. As part of Archbishop Miller’s goal of “Strengthening Marriages and Families,” The Archdiocese of Vancouver started this program last summer and has reached over 100 couples since.
What if I’m keen but my spouse isn’t?
Pray. Then gently tell your spouse this is important to you and your relationship. Ask your spouse to “come and see” – just try the first session. Recently an unenthusiastic spouse agreed to try the first session but stood away from his wife while he listened. By the third session, he was sitting next to her, glued to it. They completed the course and reported that it was worth it!
We’ve been married so long, what can we possibly learn?
“Marital love is not defended primarily by presenting indissolubility as a duty … A love that fails to grow is at risk. Growth can only occur if we respond to God’s grace through constant acts of love, acts of kindness that become ever more frequent, intense, generous, tender and cheerful.” –Pope Francis
The course will inspire and equip you to continue growing in your love for each other the way God intended.
Our marriage is good, why do we need it?
Your marriage deserves to be even better! “It wasn’t like we had big problems in our marriage or big problems in our communications … But when we got there [and attended the Marriage Course, we realized], ‘Oh my goodness, there are so many things that could be better.’” – Shaun and Grace, after completing The Marriage Course.
My spouse is not Catholic/Christian. Is that a problem?
No. While the course is based on Christian principles of marriage, it is relatable to everyone because it is centred on love and provides proven practical techniques developed by experts for all couples.
Sue Coutant
[email protected]
604-683-0281 ext. 222