After nearly two decades of mentoring hundreds of newlyweds, Angela and Ralph Frank have learned that the early years of marriage can be both tender and tumultuous. Source: Catholic Voice.
They believe couples thrive when they know they’re not navigating those years alone.
The Franks lead the Ministry of the Newly Married (MNM) in the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese.
“It’s not a lecture – it’s a dialogue,” Mr Frank said. “The beauty of the program is its ability to adapt to each couple’s needs.”
Running for more than 35 years, MNM pairs newlyweds with long-married “adoptive” couples who journey with them through the first five years of marriage.
Four times a year, they meet to discuss key topics like communication, conflict, intimacy, finances, and the daily negotiations that build a shared life.
Ms Frank described the gatherings as “a safe environment where couples can talk about their marriage, share experiences, and build friendships.”
The program is built on 20 foundational topics originally developed in the United States, but the Franks acknowledge that modern couples face new challenges.
“The topics haven’t changed, but the context has,” Ms Frank said. “Financial pressures, dual careers, cultural diversity – the specifics shift, but the core issues of communication and understanding remain the same.”
At the heart of the program is the mentoring relationship, which the Franks say fosters trust and meaningful conversations.
“Every conversation is tailored to the couple,” Mr Frank noted. “The talks are a framework, but it’s the relationship that brings the learning alive.”
For many participants, the ministry becomes like an extended family. “The couples feel safe to share deeply,” Ms Frank said. “And the mentoring couples invest in their own marriages while supporting others.”
Social dinners, workshops, and graduation events strengthen this sense of belonging.
Looking ahead, the Franks hope to expand the program to other dioceses. “The strength lies in the relationships,” Mr Frank said, adding, “It’s about giving couples the tools to build a solid relationship and a community to support them.”
FULL STORY
Fostering strong marriages through mentorship (By Jeanine Doyle, Catholic Voice)
