The Nazareth Family Institute (NFI)

Although the NFI has been established for some years and has, since its inception, been active in the service of Catholic/Christian marriage and family life, it has only recently been in a position to offer its services to the wider society

The Aims of the Institute are to carry out studies and provide educational services in the area of Catholic/Christian marriage and family life.

In pursuit of these aims, the Institute offers the following:

• Marriage preparation courses to engaged couples who are planning a Catholic Church wedding. (Inter-Church couples are also accommodated and welcome to attend.)
• Marriage-enrichment courses and retreats
• The availability of services on fertility care
• Courses on parenting
• The promotion of understanding of Catholic teaching on marriage, sexuality and family life
• Sacramental preparation talks in schools
• To address marriage and family issues in the public domain of the electronic and print media

The Nazareth Family Institute provides the following services in support of Catholic/Christian marriage and family life:

1.      Pre-Marriage Preparation for couples - Non-Residential Weekend Course

This is a short course run over Friday night and Saturday to provide the basic essential training and preparation for couples planning a Catholic Church wedding. The course fully meets Church requirements and is also suitable for inter-church couples. A Certificate of Attendance is provided at the end of each course.

2.      Pre-Marriage Preparation and Training – Extended Course

This is a seven-week course (one evening a week over seven weeks) for small groups of couples who wish for more extensive and thorough preparation for Catholic/Christian marriage.                    

3.      Intimate Life Marriage Course – Training for a Healthier Life-Giving Marriage

This is a seven-week Christian based course run once a week for couples who wish to deepen their relationship and develop a healthy and life-giving marriage and family life.   This course brings wonderful blessings to married couples of all ages.

4.      Marriage Retreat – Non-Residential Day Retreat for Married Couples

This is a one-day non-residential retreat in a relaxed setting with time for discussion together as a couple, personal prayer and reflection time.

5.      Fertility Care 

FertilityCare™ is an exciting new concept in reproductive health care. It is a holistic and healthy system that empowers couples to make healthy reproductive choices regarding their fertility and is fully in harmony with Catholic Church teaching. 

This service is provided on a professional basis by a fully trained Teacher-Practitioner of the FCCE organisation linked with NFI. 

6.      Parenting Course– Time to Parent

Time to Parent is a seven-week parenting course linked with NFI which explores, teaches, encourages and offers help and skills to parents of 0 -18 year olds.  This course is provided on a professional basis by a fully qualified person.