Catholic couples wanting to add renewed dynamism and passion to their marriage are finding some pointers through a seminar called Celebrate Love
HAVING celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last year, Mike and Lisa Humphrys of Brisbane decided to not only celebrate their milestone by going on a ‘second honeymoon’ to Melbourne and Tasmania, but also to invest further in their marriage by participating in a marriage seminar.
‘We wanted to make sure that we didn’t take our good marriage for granted,’ said Lisa, ‘but rather we felt it important to take stock and learn how we could improve our life together as it had been many years since we had participated in a marriage seminar.
‘I was particularly keen to explore how, now that our children had grown up and mostly left home, what this meant for our relationship.’
Mike heard about the Celebrate Love weekend while attending the National Family Gathering in Sydney in April 2004, but it took until March this year to organise their calendars to attend one of these seminars in Sydney.
‘What attracted us to this particular marriage seminar was that it delved into the areas of intimacy, sexuality and spirituality — a focus that is often swept under the carpet,’ he said.
‘It was refreshing to hear that we human beings had been created for deep personal intimacy with God and each other within the context of marriage.
‘Our expressions of intimacy, including sexual intercourse, are encounters of deep communion with our spouse and with God.
‘This is how we pray best as a married couple.
‘This provides a rich understanding of our marriage as a sacrament and sign of God’s love in our world.’
Based on this, husbands and wives are encouraged to pray for passion in their marriage and to embrace the many different ways they can grow in their intimacy, in much the same way that people seek to grow more intimate with God through various expressions of prayer.
‘I learnt that our marriage relationship if it is strong, passionate and intimate, becomes a powerful life-giving force for our family and as a witness to others,’ said Lisa.
‘This very much reinforced my experience over the last 25 years that, when I have felt deeply connected and at one with Michael, that I had tremendous energy and resources to be a loving spouse, parent and all the other roles I undertook.’
While the weekend seminar is fairly intense with seven sessions running from 9am-9pm on the Saturday and 9am-5pm on the Sunday, couples have the opportunity to reflect on the presentations, undertake couple exercises, enjoy a romantic dinner, and celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
‘I found the opportunity to give thanks to God for my marriage within the Eucharist and renew my marriage commitment,’ Mike said.
‘But even more so was the chance to heal some of the hurts in our relationship through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
‘It gave me a renewed appreciation of the power of the sacraments in my life and my marriage.
‘Since doing the seminar in March, we have made time to discuss and talk through the course materials which include some excellent couple exercises.
‘To add to this, we receive a monthly newsletter containing more ideas for reflection based around a contemporary theme.
‘This makes the seminar good value as it can go on for as long as you make the time for it.
‘So convinced were we of the value of this course, that we decided to act as hosts for the first Brisbane Celebrate Love seminar.’
It is hoped that when the seminars become established in Brisbane, groups of couples will gather each month or bi-monthly to encourage one another to read, reflect and share with each other.
The move to Brisbane parallels the recent introduction of the course in Perth, Mt Isa and soon in Adelaide and Townsville.
Celebrate Love co-authors and national directors Byron and Francine Pirola will be the course presenters.
They are regular speakers to Catholic groups on the practical application of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, and have written numerous articles on relationships and sexuality for use by couples.
The Pirolas have been married for 17 years and have five children.
The first Brisbane Celebrate Love seminar will be held on July 2 and 3 at the Aspley Parish Centre. Cost is $150 per couple. Bookings are essential by June 24.
For further information phone Mike and Lisa Humphrys on (07) 3265 2752 or Francine Pirola on (02) 9662 7272.
Information is also available by visiting www.celebratelove.com.au
