30 August. Newly weds.  The marriage preparation team had tried a number of times to start a newly-wed group. They knew that the first few years of marriage were often the hardest and breakdown was high in those early years, even if couples had lived together beforehand.  The young ones were always so busy with their work and their social lives. But the team also knew that the sell-by date of marriage preparation after-effects was about 5 years so they persisted. When one couple hit on hard times and brought some friends along too to their preparation mentor couple a programme using the approach of Date Nights was introduced very successfully. Human beings are likely most emotionally and psychologically challenged but even within animal life, e.g. elephants the adults or matriarchs will guide the younger members in their behaviour.

Reflect, share, scripture: Especially in the first five years of married life, it would be desirable to follow up the young couples through post-marriage courses, to be carried out in parishes or deaneries. FC 66