Article Directory
Wedding Ceremony Planner (SmartLoving)
SmartLoving Wedding Ceremony walks couples step by step through each stage of the Catholic wedding (with or without Mass). It includes: a) Explanation of the two forms (Nuptial Mass and Wedding Ceremony), b) Discussion of suitable music, dress and common cultural traditions, c) Options for the various prayers, d) Most common scripture readings and links to commentary, e) Printable PDF for recording their chosen readings, prayers and music.
Engaged Group Experience (SmartLoving)
SmartLoving Engaged Group Experience (SLE GX) is a resource for leaders who prefer live interaction with the participants. Based on the same dynamic curriculum of the SLE On Demand course, this 'teach out of the box' resource includes: a) Plug & Play videos with pause points for activities (stream or download for offline play back), b) Comprehensive Leader Guide with step-by-step instructions for each lesson, c) Assets for promotion and tips for hosting, d) Participant resources including print workbooks, access to videos quizzes, extension activities and completion certificate, e) Bonus participant resources include access to SL Fertility, SL Wedding Ceremony Planner, SL Newlywed.
One Flesh, Infinite Depth: Reading Una Caro
The Vatican's new document Una Caro ("One Flesh") offers married couples something rare: not more rules, but a vision of how deep and beautiful your marriage can become. In
Puberty & Consent Education A Catholic Perspective on Healthy Relationships
General Overview Conversation Summary: Laura Kane opened the February 2025 meeting of the Life, Marriage and Family (LMF) Network, where members from various Catholic dioceses and movements across Australia
Syndicated SmartLoving Column
Looking for Catholic marriage and family content to publish in your diocesan paper or newsletter? Sign up to receive the Syndicated SmartLoving Column authored by Francine and Byron Pirola every 2 weeks. Content includes: Article in blog format with hyperlinks, pull quotes and tags Article in Print-Ready format Artwork for special offers in 3 formats Link and embed code for Soundcloud audio file Publishing Terms: You under no obligation to publish any SL articles, but if you do wish to publish, the following applies: There is no cost to you or your organisation other than the obligation to credit the authors and provide a back link to the SL website, and whenever possible, include the current SL Offer artwork in your publication (web, print, social etc). If you publish SL content regularly online, please create an author profile so that all SL content is aggregated for readers. Authored by Francine & Byron Pirola, the SmartLoving column features reflections on contemporary relationship science through a Catholic theological lens. original content every two weeks authored b
Pastoral Care of Families Impacted by Gender Dysphoria – Facilitated Discussion
General OverviewConversation Summary: The meeting of the Second Life Marriage Family Network began with an introduction to the network's mission, a prayer, and several announcements, including the upcoming May meeting
Men of Sexual Integrity – Unleashing masculine leadership for mission
Presenter: Paul Ninnes Paul Ninnes is the co-founder and Managing Director of Real Talk International, Australia’s largest relationships and sexuality education organisation. He holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and
Communities of Care – Grief Support
Presenter: Susanne North Former parent educator with Sydney Catholic Schools, she is part of a team providing grief support in her local deanery in collaboration with Catholic Grief Care
Pastoral Care of Couples Experiencing Infertility
Presenter: Debra Vermeer Freelance journalist and editor; Author. Summary This presentation was given to the Life, Marriage and Family Network on August 21, 2025, by Deborah Vermeer,
Nurturing Faith – Evangelising parents through Sacramental preparation and Children’s Ministry
Presenter: Chantale Wilson Director Children and Families Archdiocesan Ministries Brisbane. Summary This presentation was given to the Life Marriage and Family Network on June 26, 2025 by Chantale Wilson,
The Role of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Presenter: Lara Kirk Executive Secretary, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement. Lara has over 30 years of experience in ministry, including working with
God’s Extravagant Mercy
Reflecting on Pope Francis’ Legacy for Marriage and Family Pope Francis’ pontificate has been a beacon of mercy, calling the Church to reach out to those on the margins,
How to Choose a Therapist
When I worked in marriage and family ministry in one of Australia’s largest metropolitan Archdioceses, the most frequent request we received was for help to find a Catholic psychologist
Chastity and Charity: Building Virtue in the face of Pornography Addiction
Fr Nicholas Pearce Biography Fr Nicholas Pearce is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. Ordained in 2010, he has worked in numerous Parishes
Protected: What about the wives? Supporting Partners of Sex Addicts
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Human Flourishing: An integrated approach
Dr Greg Bottaro Keynote Biography Dr. Greg Bottaro is a Catholic psychologist, founder of the CatholicPsych Institute and creator of the CatholicPsych Model of Applied
Stouthearted – Men of Sexual Integrity
Paul Ninnes Biography Paul is the co-founder and Managing Director of Real Talk. Real Talk is Australia’s largest relationships and sexuality educator working with hundreds
Institutional Responses to Problematic Pornography
Dr Marshall Ballantine-Jones Biography Dr Marshall Ballantine-Jones, CEO of DigiHelp Publishing and Founder of Resist Ministries, specializes in research and education to schools and churchesfocusing
A New Form of Sex Education
Karen Doyle Biography Karen Doyle is the founding director of Choicez Media, Australia's largest provider of values and faith-based resources for the education sector in
Transforming Shame
Shawn Van der Linden Biography Shawn began his career as a qualified carpenter before serving as a Catholic missionary in Australia and abroad. He later
Impact of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health
Submission to NSW Upper House Standing Committee PMRC Australia assists couples to form lifelong successful marriages and is the largest provider of marriage preparation in Australia for couples marrying
Marriage Preparation: Pornography, Freedom and Consent
Byron & Francine Pirola Biography Francine & Byron Pirola are the cofounders of SmartLoving - a global Catholic marriage formation apostolate that serves over 4000
Sexual Arousal: Our “People Magnet”: Rediscovering Sex as God intended it
Dr Nicholas Lawless Biography Dr Nicholas Lawless is a Clinical Psychologist and Couple Therapist running his own private practice, DRT Psychology, in Melbourne's south east.
Spousal love in the image of God
Dr Peter Holmes Biography Raised an evangelical, Peter Holmes trained and served as a Lutheran minister before working in counselling, consulting and teaching roles in