MARRIAGE PREPARATION AND FAMILY LIFE OFFICE

The Marriage Preparation and Family Life Office of the Catholic Family Services of Toronto has the mandate to develop and support the parish-based marriage preparation programmes throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto. At the same time, it has the responsibility to continue other specialised programmes related to marriage preparation, marriage and family life.

The Marriage Preparation And Family Life office works collaboratively with the Chancery Office and the Marriage Tribunal Office of the Archdiocese of Toronto. The marriage preparation courses, as described below, are offered at various parishes and other locations throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto. All the courses are guided by professionally trained and skilled counsellors.

SERVICES:
The following is a brief description of the services provided:

MARRIAGE PREPARATION: This is a programme for couples preparing for marriage. The programme assists marrying couples to discern if they are prepared to be married; and provides them with information and education to enhance their readiness to have a healthy marriage.

PARISH BASED MARRIAGE PREPARATION: maintain and enhance the parish based marriage preparation programmes of the Archdiocese of Toronto through collaboration with pastors, the Chancery Office and other archdiocesan services.

REMARRIAGE PREPARATION: provide courses to second union couples where one or both partners are remarrying and assist them with the challenges and opportunities of the new marriage.

SPECIALISED MARRIAGE PREPARATION: provide courses to civilly-married and long term cohabiting couples.

CONSULTATION AND TRAINING TO CLERGY: provide training, consultation and assessment services to clergy and staff of Archdiocese of Toronto.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR LAY COUPLES: provide the marriage preparation leadership training programme for volunteer lay couples.