By Mrs Cleopatra Farro for BIS Mumbai

The Spousal Relationship Workshop was conducted on October 5, 2025 at the St. Joseph’s High School Auditorium, by the Church of Our Lady of Dolours. The event began on a graceful note with a heartfelt prayer led by Spiritual Director, Fr Solomon Rapol, invoking God’s blessings and setting a calm, reflective atmosphere for the morning’s session.

The workshop, facilitated by Natasha and Swayze Mani, was thoughtfully designed for married couples to help them strengthen their marital bond and deepen mutual understanding. The facilitators created a comfortable and engaging environment, encouraging participants to open up and share their thoughts freely. Through lively discussions, guided reflections, and interactive exercises, couples were invited to examine the foundations of their relationships — trust, communication, patience, and shared commitment.

A highlight of the session was when couples participated in group activities where they discussed the everyday challenges faced in married life, such as communication gaps, managing responsibilities, and balancing personal and family priorities. These discussions encouraged self-awareness and empathy, helping partners appreciate each other’s perspectives and work together toward harmony.

Natasha and Swayze emphasized five essential steps for nurturing a strong and healthy relationship — Touch, Exchange of Gifts, Household Chores, Couple Time, and Affirmation. They shared personal experiences to illustrate how small gestures of care and appreciation can bring warmth and stability to a marriage. Participants were then invited to create their own vision statements for their marriages, outlining what values and goals they wished to uphold as a couple. This activity inspired deep reflection and meaningful conversations between partners.

A refreshment break at 10:30 a.m. offered participants the chance to unwind and enjoy snacks while interacting informally, further strengthening the sense of community.

Towards the end of the session, an evaluation and feedback discussion was conducted with Fr Rapol, who highlighted the positive aspects of the programme and shared his insights on how such sessions contribute to family well-being. Participants expressed great appreciation for the initiative and suggested organizing similar workshops more frequently to further enhance mutual understanding among couples.

The morning concluded warmly with the sharing of hot soup, symbolizing unity, togetherness, and love. The event was graciously supported by Fr James, our Parish Priest and under the guidance of Fr Rapol whose encouragement and presence added a spirit of fellowship, making the workshop both enriching and memorable for all who attended. Many thanks to Fr Rapol, the parish team and the Family cell for taking time and effort in organizing such an event.