Irish Wedding News
01/09/2011
A company which provides Catholic pre-marriage courses has updated the syllabus to include advice on pornography, addiction and coping with the In-Laws.
"While the traditional view of a catholic pre-marriage course was one of frightened couples getting a lecture on the evils of sex before marriage, today's course is more likely to include subjects like how your diet can spice up your sex life and 'how to use pornography safely," David Kavanagh of Avalon Relationship Consultants says.
Addiction, in-laws, infertility, and sharing household chores are common topics for couples on pre-marriage courses according to the the Avalon relationship expert, who adds that addressing important real-life topics before marriage reflects a mature and sensible approach to getting married.
Layman David Kavanagh has a theology degree from the National University of Maynooth and is a registered family psychotherapist. Having worked for years as a relationship counsellor, and designed the Avalon Catholic pre-marriage course, David says many couples are surprised that a Catholic course can be so interesting and informative, covering subjects as broad as mental health, budgeting, and even enjoyment of sex.
"Couples are delighted to see that the focus on sex is much more liberal, and, as we emphasise, the fact remains that couples who have a healthy sex life are more happily married than those who don't," he adds.
Priests regularly refer couples to Avalon marriage courses, according to David Kavanagh, who says that embracing the Catholic Church ethos is part of the course, in order to recognise the richness that spirituality can bring to a relationship.
Religious Knowledge is generally poor however, Kavanagh says he is still surprised by how little people actually know about the Catholic belief system.
"Every marriage course has to cover the Sacrament of Marriage, but roughly 90% of our couples do not know what a Sacrament is. Subjects like Transubstantiation, what the Holy Spirit is, and even naming the seven Sacraments, are difficult for many Catholics. Couples regularly admit that there was a lot about their faith they did not understand before the course," he concludes.
The modern-day marriage course run by the Avalon team also helps people deal with regular topics including having children, dealing with in-laws, and, for those not already living together, their expectations of how shared household tasks, finances, and roles might work.
People are also encouraged to explore how well they actually know their partner, the challenges they might perceive in the relationship, and to what extent they share the same goals in life.
"Our course facilitators are qualified psychotherapists, so couples are listened to by an expert, in a non-judgemental environment. We also offer post-marriage counselling and, thankfully, people are now talking through issues with counsellors like us, before waiting until it's too late."
Ideas on personalising wedding ceremonies also feature on Avalon’s preparatory courses. An ancient Celtic ritual, called hand-fasting, which many people remember from the film Braveheart, is one of the suggestions David Kavanagh has to offer, as he and his wife had this particular celebration at their own wedding in 2007.
David, who regularly provides relationship counselling on TV and radio, has had thousands of Irish couples take part in his pre-marriage courses and relationship guidance seminars.
"It can be easy to love someone, but making a relationship work takes commitment and hard work. A degree of compromise or sacrifice is generally needed for both happiness and the long-term survival of a relationship, even within the best of marriages," David advise couples.
(GK/CD)
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Pre-marriage Course Addresses Porn
A company which provides Catholic pre-marriage courses has updated the syllabus to include advice on pornography, addiction and coping with the In-Laws.
"While the traditional view of a catholic pre-marriage course was one of frightened couples getting a lecture on the evils of sex before marriage, today's course is more likely to include subjects like how your diet can spice up your sex life and 'how to use pornography safely," David Kavanagh of Avalon Relationship Consultants says.
Addiction, in-laws, infertility, and sharing household chores are common topics for couples on pre-marriage courses according to the the Avalon relationship expert, who adds that addressing important real-life topics before marriage reflects a mature and sensible approach to getting married.
Layman David Kavanagh has a theology degree from the National University of Maynooth and is a registered family psychotherapist. Having worked for years as a relationship counsellor, and designed the Avalon Catholic pre-marriage course, David says many couples are surprised that a Catholic course can be so interesting and informative, covering subjects as broad as mental health, budgeting, and even enjoyment of sex.
"Couples are delighted to see that the focus on sex is much more liberal, and, as we emphasise, the fact remains that couples who have a healthy sex life are more happily married than those who don't," he adds.
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Priests regularly refer couples to Avalon marriage courses, according to David Kavanagh, who says that embracing the Catholic Church ethos is part of the course, in order to recognise the richness that spirituality can bring to a relationship.
Religious Knowledge is generally poor however, Kavanagh says he is still surprised by how little people actually know about the Catholic belief system.
"Every marriage course has to cover the Sacrament of Marriage, but roughly 90% of our couples do not know what a Sacrament is. Subjects like Transubstantiation, what the Holy Spirit is, and even naming the seven Sacraments, are difficult for many Catholics. Couples regularly admit that there was a lot about their faith they did not understand before the course," he concludes.
The modern-day marriage course run by the Avalon team also helps people deal with regular topics including having children, dealing with in-laws, and, for those not already living together, their expectations of how shared household tasks, finances, and roles might work.
People are also encouraged to explore how well they actually know their partner, the challenges they might perceive in the relationship, and to what extent they share the same goals in life.
"Our course facilitators are qualified psychotherapists, so couples are listened to by an expert, in a non-judgemental environment. We also offer post-marriage counselling and, thankfully, people are now talking through issues with counsellors like us, before waiting until it's too late."
Ideas on personalising wedding ceremonies also feature on Avalon’s preparatory courses. An ancient Celtic ritual, called hand-fasting, which many people remember from the film Braveheart, is one of the suggestions David Kavanagh has to offer, as he and his wife had this particular celebration at their own wedding in 2007.
David, who regularly provides relationship counselling on TV and radio, has had thousands of Irish couples take part in his pre-marriage courses and relationship guidance seminars.
"It can be easy to love someone, but making a relationship work takes commitment and hard work. A degree of compromise or sacrifice is generally needed for both happiness and the long-term survival of a relationship, even within the best of marriages," David advise couples.
(GK/CD)
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