Marriage Matters

For couples to...learn, grow and reconcile in a faith congruent way. (Adapted from the Third Option)

Many of us manage marriage as a series of choices between his desires and her desires, between “peace at any price” and “letting it all hang out.” Because they tend to move us to extremes, these options don’t bring us together. With Marriage Matters, you can learn how to break through the clutter of the past baggage and misunderstandings and build an effective, loving relationship. Marriage Matters is a skills-based group program that helps participants build stronger, more fulfilling marriages. Each multi-session cycle covers a comprehensive set of tools that couples can use to develop better understanding, sensitivity and trust while learning more effective speaking and listening skills.

What if your marriage is doing well?
The skills we develop in Marriage Matters are helpful for any marriage, and couples attending our program range from those on the brink of divorce to those yearning to make a good marriage even better.

Do we both have to come?
No. If your spouse is not ready to make a commitment to attending, you are welcome to attend alone.

Can this help us if we are separated?
Yes, but the more serious and protracted the problems in your marriage, the harder you will have to work—individually and as a couple—to overcome those issues.

Is this counseling?
No. Marriage Matters is not counseling. It is an educational group where we learn and encourage and support each other.

Do I need to attend every session?
Each session stands alone, so couples can start anytime in the cycle of topics, and catch up later if they happen to miss a week or two.

Each meeting has three parts:

1. A 20 minute warm-up with discussion around the application and practice from our last meeting

2. A 30 minute DVD presentation of the evening's focal theme

3. A 40 minute "in the round" discussion of the presentation, its application and individual questions

Marriage Matters follows a format and curriculum adapted from The Third Option, a Catholic based, national program of marriage enrichment and reconciliation. Learn more by visiting The Third Options website»

Time committment: Every other Wednesday

Meeting times: 7:00-8:30 p.m.