Blog
Practical wisdom, faith-filled insights, and real-world relationship advice for couples at every stage. Our blog offers practical tools and Catholic perspectives to help you love smarter. Explore topics including communication, fertility, forgiveness, spirituality, parenting, and more — authored by Francine & Byron Pirola and other guest contributers.
Newsflash: Pope says sex is ‘a gift from God’
In Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis writes extensively about many aspects of marriage and family life. In it is a section that…
Mercy Gospel Reflections: Apr 17
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 17 April – 4th Sunday of Easter In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we are his sheep and tells us that if…
Mercy Gospel Reflection: Apr 10
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 10 April – 3rd Sunday of Easter In this week’s Gospel, Jesus asks Peter three times, “do you love me?” Each time he…
Mercy Gospel Reflection: Apr 3
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 3 April – 2nd Sunday of Easter In this week’s Gospel, we hear those famous words spoken each week at Mass during the sign…
Mercy Gospel Reflection: Mar 27
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 27 March – Sunday of the Resurrection In this week’s Gospel, we reflect on Christ’s resurrection from the dead. In…
Couples on probation!
Why cohabitation doesn’t work Don’t get us started…there are SO many reasons why cohabitation is a bad idea, we could go on for pages! In…
The Marriage Kit: Why Marry?
Couples marry for all sorts of reasons, but one of the almost universal expectations of couples is that marriage will make them happy. It is…
Mercy Gospel Reflection: Mar 20
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 20 March – Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord This week marks the beginning of Holy Week. In…
Mercy Gospel Reflection: Mar 13
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 13 March – 5th Sunday of Lent In this week’s Gospel, we hear those famous words of Christ, “If there is…
Date Claimer: Renaissance of Marriage 2016
Mark your calendars! Friday Oct 21- Sunday Oct 23 | Sydney, Australia International and National Speakers including Christopher West For Catholic marriage educators, clergy, marriage…
Mercy Gospel Reflection: Mar 6
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 6 March – 4th Sunday of Lent In this week’s Gospel, we take time to reflect on the story of the…
Engaged Online Goes Live
There’s great excitement here as we activate SmartLoving Engaged Online for public access. We’ve been working on the platform for three months and are very…
Quit Brooding!
Part 2 of It Takes One to Tango You are dissatisfied with your marriage. Your spouse may or may not share your disillusionment. Your spouse…
Mercy Gospel Reflection: Feb 28
Gospel Reflections for Married Couples 28 February – 3rd Sunday of Lent In this week’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to repentance and to make real changes…
Three Ways to Do Lent
Lent is one of our favourite seasons in the Church calendar; for a decent period (but not an interminable one), we get to do a…