Waiting for each other an exceptionally long time

Barbara and Gregory’s honeymoon in Tanzania

Barbara Karska does not doubt that God placed her husband, Gregory, right before her.

“It was a real miracle that we finally found each other,” she said.

“I was forty-six and Gregory was fifty-seven when we met in June 2022. We have been waiting for each other an exceptionally long time.”

The Sacred Heart Moruya parishioners, who have been married for 16 months, are participating in the Alpha Marriage Course – an initiative of the Catholic parishes of Inner North Canberra and Holy Cross Anglican.

The seven-week course combines face-to-face and Zoom sessions and focuses on topics such as strengthening connection, communication, conflict resolution, and the power of forgiveness and love in action.

“By signing up for the marriage course, we wanted to get some practical tools to communicate better with each other,” Barbara explained.

“We hope we will learn how to resolve conflicts constructively and fulfil our mutual needs better.”

Barbara said she and her husband were still getting to know each other, and the course offered practical tips and support.

“We like the idea of listening to the spouse when they are talking and not interrupting for more than 17 seconds – my husband especially likes this idea,” Barbara laughed.

The couple, who both have Polish roots, met when Barbara lived in Poland and Greg in Australia. They met in Warsaw and fell in love after four dates. 

Barbara and Gregory’s wedding in Poland

“We both knew we wanted to marry quickly, but many things had to happen before this as we were living on two different continents at that time,” Barbara said.

“We share a strong appetite for life. Greg thinks that everything is possible together with a woman like me. I like his sense of humour – he can always make me laugh, even when I am angry. We both have a sense of mission to fulfil in this world, and we support each other.”

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Family Programs Officer, Marriage, Family and Relationships Helena Zobec delivers several of the course sessions, along with her husband, Richard.

“This is for couples who have been married one year or 61 years, whether the relationship is strong or troubled,” she said.

“It is a set of tools and a different way of seeing things. You live a life of many, many marriages to the same person over time.”

Helena said the hope was that after participating in the course, people might choose to take on a leadership role themselves.

“If people do it in their own parish, they can make the whole course face-to-face and build community if they choose,” she said.

“l think if we build more strong relationships, and people have more tools, then they are better able to deal with the big and small challenges. Even if things are patchy, it doesn’t mean you are down a negative path. There is always room for resolution.”