Pre-marriage course-Catholic version at Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota-Kinabalu.

The topics covered include:
1.Marriage in Christianity: 

Marriage between man and woman is planned by God. Just like how He created Adam and Eve to be one. The union of both people signify there's love in the world. Of course, by proclaiming divorce, it means the human beings are against the lord's order.

Despite the possibility of cheating spouse, the victimised partner has to bear with it and put God in the relationship. Always pray that he/she will honor the sacred relationship.
 

2. Role of husband and wife: 

Husband ought to be the spiritual leader of the house, to guide the family to the way of God's teaching. That include honoring the Sabbath day,  pampering the wife, and raise the children well.

As for wife, she has to fully submit to husband and respect him. That, include encouraging the husband to be a spiritual husband.


3.Communications

Men are from mars, Women are from Venus. The difference of the physical and mental are always presence despite of the existence of great psychologists in world.

The advises from the speakers are to let other person talk, and the other listen. Pay attention and watch out for the tone as it indicates the emotional.

Always say sorry (eventhough you are wrong), and never use "Always or Never" in negative remark, e.g. You are always spending spree, or You never help in the kitchen.

The common issues that are needed to be discussed between spouses:
a) Sex: a conversation that will only take place between husband and wife as both are involved in the act.
b) Money: The allocation and earning of money should be discussed.
c)Children: How many children that a couple can afford to have?
d) Family-in-laws: All the small things to make both families happy.
e)Career/job: It is often that career separates the husband and wife. Thus, it is important (preferably)to find job at same area.

Speaker also mentioned that husband-wife do fight occasionally, however, never sleep the anger overnight. Settle or cool down the matter beforehand.

4.Finance
Sign up for a joint account!!! As the tool meant to build mutual trust between the husband and wife. There should not be "hiding money" agenda. The ideology is to spend the earned money together regardless for the family, or the extended family e.g wife's medical bill.

A wise step to have budget and backup plan for the family.

In case there's a desire to buy a house, the affordability to pay monthly loan should be based on a person's capability.

5. Sex 
"It is a privilege/gift exclusively for married couple,therefore there should not be any barrier" speakers said.

Practice natural family planning with intention of spacing the pregnancy occurrence for the sake of the wife's and children's health and welfare.

Natural family planning implies that a man shall fully ejaculate within the vagina, no withdrawal, no condom, no oral contraceptive pills and etc.

The only method is to abstinence during the woman's fertile period which can be observed via her viscosity of vaginal mucous and sensation.

Couples are also advised to have minimum three children to replace the older generation. 

6. Parenting
Parents have to acknowledge and appreciate the grace and blessing that their children are born to the world. No utterance of negative remark on the baby's gender while the wife starts pregnant.

Bring him/her according to the God's teaching. Show them what love is, how to be nice with everyone, say only good thing, honor the sabbath day, teach them to pray for any circumstances.


7.Liturgy of marriage
The chronology of receiving sacrament of marriage.
- attend the pre-marriage course
- book appointment for the ceremony with the priest (at sacred heart, it needs at least four month notice prior to proposed date).
-Register marriage at registration department.
-Find two married catholics to be the witness people.

On the marriage day, the priest will ask whether the couples are willing to love and obey each other, willing to accept the duty to procreate and etc. Then, make vows, exchange rings and proceed with the Eucharistic phase (this is not applied to mixed-marriage).

-Ends-

P/s: I wrote it based on memory, did not jot down it anywhere. This is merely just a guideline.