by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — If there’s a silver lining to these months of self-isolation and home hunkering down, it’s how all this time together has been great for couple’s relationships.
Well, maybe.
In some cases, a lot of enforced togetherness has been great. And in other cases — well, not so much.
Whether a couple finds itself in category “A” or category “B,” every couple can benefit from learning some practical skills and strategies on how to communicate and deal with feelings.
Call it learning to decode the “love language” of your spouse.
The archdiocesan office of marriage and family life is offering to spouses of both stripes a Zoom course in October and November called “Every Day in Love.” It’s a skills course for married couples designed to foster love and intimacy.
“Given the COVID-19 pandemic and a lot of chaos going on in the world, we can lose sight of the importance of the sacrament of marriage,” said Libby DuPont, consultant for marriage and family life office. “This course is designed to help couples get from where they are to where they want to be in living out their marriage.”
“Every Day in Love” will consist of live, interactive sessions via Zoom conferencing software. There will be seven 90-minute sessions for seven Thursdays in a row, from 8-9:30 p.m., Oct. 8 to Nov. 19.
The sessions will be led by Brad and Libby DuPont of the office of marriage and family life. The cost of $80 includes workbooks and materials. Scholarships are available.
The sessions will be offered with an American Sign Language interpreter. Also, since it’s offered by Zoom, couples outside of the archdiocese can also participate. Couples that miss a session can request a session recording be sent to them.
“There will be lots of time for the spouses to talk to one another,” said Brad DuPont. “It won’t be just couples sitting and listening to a presenter. There will be breaks for couple interaction.”
This is the first time “Every Day in Love” has been presented in a virtual, online format.
“It’s important for couples to realize how vital their marriages are to the church at this time, and how the church supports them,” said Brad DuPont. “Our marriages have a value in the context of the whole church. . . . This course will give the couples practical skills to grow the love in their marriages.”
Couples who want to participate should register online as soon as possible at: archkck.org. Under the “Ministries” tab, click on “Marriage Enrichment” and scroll down to “Every Day in Love.”
For additional information, contact Brad DuPont by email at: bdupont@archkck.org.
