Marriage Mentors

The John Paul II Centre offers a Marriage Mentor program for Catholic couples across the Christchurch Diocese. Our Marriage Mentors are there to support, listen to and offer advice to other married couples who may be struggling with a particular issue. This is NOT counselling. But couples face many little challenges such as "how do you take kids to mass without pulling your hair out", "How do you raise teenagers while still looking after young children'', "How do you make time together as a couple when you have two toddlers?".

Suzi and Diggs de Gouveia

Suzi and Diggs de Gouveia have been married for 42 years. They immigrated to New Zealand in 1999 from South Africa. They have three gorgeous daughters and nine deeply loved grandchildren. Having recently retired, Diggs from the business world and Suzi from Primary School Principalship, they have time available to follow their hearts and work to help married couples. Their life experiences include dealing with: child illnesses, parental deaths, parenting, emigration, inter cultural marriage, demanding careers, marriage preparation and enrichment. Both Suzi and Diggs believe that their marriage has taken lots of work, cooperation, support, forgiveness and love, and acknowledge God’s love and guidance throughout their relationship.

Holy Family Parish

Steven and Maria Sequeira

Our story is your typical boy meets girl from the same neighbourhood and parish, fell in love, married, 4 children and here we are! We’ve been married for almost 30 years and immigrated from India in 2002. The atmosphere when we walked into our first parish church here was welcoming and supportive. Life was busy with family, work, church and other commitments.

We got invited to assist preparing couples for marriage and have been involved in the beautiful ministry for almost a decade. It is a privilege to get to know so many couples and prepare them for their journey together. We find it incredibly rewarding for our own marriage as every preparation brings home to us new skills and teachings that enable us to be better spouses. Nobody is perfect, no relationship is perfect. And neither are we, or our marriage. But, we want to support each other in being the best version of ourselves with God’s grace. We are passionate about faith, marriage and family; and are grateful for every opportunity in assisting others in achieving growth in these important areas.

Cathedral Parish

Tim and Jenn Goulding

We met on a Contiki tour of Europe in 1980 and married the following year. Tim was a kiwi, Jenn a North American. We always had a spark but struggled in our early years of marriage (cultural, religious differences and bad communication). We gutsed out the tough times and did a lot of fun family things together. Tim had a St. Paul-like conversion 8 years into our marriage. We have 6 children, now all adults, full of personality. Our marriage has been a roller coaster ride, and we have definitely made mistakes!

We moved from Auckland to North Canterbury 22 years ago, mainly to be more involved with the Beatitude Community, a French-based order with a community in Leithfield.

We are currently rediscovering life as a couple without kids at home. We value marriage despite it being a difficult vocation at times! We have come to realise that there are seasons of joys and sufferings, but they are just that-seasons-and before too long the next season is upon us.

Waimakariri Parish

Counsellor

Details coming soon!