Joy of Love
Joy of Love is a framework for the preparation, formation and support of marriage and relationships.
It is a strategic approach that encompasses the formation of people of different ages and stages of life in a Christian approach to relationships, marriage, family and sexual intimacy across the life-long continuum.
It is based on the understanding that marriage is a lifelong commitment and relationship between a woman and a man, that requires preparation and ongoing support, beginning at Baptism and continuing for the years that follow the reception of the Marriage Sacrament.
Joy of Love includes extensive programs, courses and resources, for young children, teenagers, parents/carers, post-school, engaged and married couples in the Archdiocese.
Joy of Love is a collaborative contribution that includes numerous Catholic Archdioceses, agencies, movements, schools and universities across Australia. Their generous input to and support of Joy of Love is gratefully acknowledged.
Find out more about Joy of Love from the Archdiocese of Sydney.
‘As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.’ St. John Paul II, Homily, Perth 1986
Joy of Love stages
The Joy of Love framework consists of 5 distinct stages of life, where relationships are developmental and foundational.
Stage 1: Self Awareness
Supporting children in the primary school years (ages 5-12) and their parents/carers, in raising awareness of the importance of healthy relationships in their lives, and the skills and strategies needed to build and nurture them.
Stage 2: Positive Relationships
Supporting young people in the secondary school years (ages 13-18) and their parents/carers, in raising awareness of the importance of positive relationships in their lives, and the skills and strategies needed to build and nurture them.
Stage 3: Flourishing Partnerships
Supporting young adults post-school to reflect upon and understand their capacity to create and shape relationships in their lives, and how to nurture them.
Stage 4: Engagement Journey
Supporting and guiding couples who are in stable relationships, to discern and commit to engagement and marriage.
Stage 5: Lifelong Marriages
Supporting married couples and families, to strengthen, deepen, renew and sustain their relationships.
Joy of Love launch webinar
Joined by a panel of experts, and hosted by Project Lead, Patrick O'Reilly, Joy of Love was officially launched via webinar on 17 February 2022.
Flourishing Relationships, Strong Marriages, Thriving Parishes and communities: Joy of Love
Presenting at the Alive in the Spirit Conference, Patrick O'Reilly, shares more on the Joy of Love initiative.
Joy of Love Collaborators
- Archdiocese of Brisbane
- Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn
- Archdiocese of Sydney
- Australian Catholic University
- Catholic Institute of Sydney
- Catholic Schools NSW
- CatholicCare, Sydney
- Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Archdiocese of Sydney
- Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT
- Engaged Encounter
- Marriage Encounter
- Parish Marriage Resource Centre, Australia
- Sydney Catholic University Chaplaincy
Contact Joy of Love
Contact CatholicCare Sydney for more information about Joy of Love and for further support by calling 13 18 19 (8am - 6pm Mon - Fri) or by filling out the form below.
Thanks for contacting Joy of Love FIRSTNAME. A member of the team will be in touch with you regarding your enquiry as soon as possible.
An initiative of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Joy of Love is facilitated by CatholicCare Sydney. To learn more about their work andthe people they help, visit catholiccare.org