The marriage preparation program is offered in a one full day or two half day sessions. A version of this program is also offered in Portuguese. The program is carefully designed to allow couples to focus upon and privately discuss key issues they will face as married couples. Topics include family of origin, creating a home, creating a family, communication, abuse, natural family planning, intimacy, and the sacrament of Matrimony.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROCESS
Congratulations on your decision to marry! The prayers of the Church are with you as you prepare to commit to a lifetime of loving each other.
The process begins eight to twelve months before the wedding when the engaged couple calls the parish to make an appointment with the priest to discuss being married.
1. INITIAL MEETING with the parish priest is a time to talk and discover what is expected. This may also be when you reserve your wedding date and fill out the FOCCUS personal inventory.
2. FOCCUS is a personality profile that is completed BEFORE attending a Marriage Preparation session. It is not a test, but a discovery questionnaire which will personalize your marriage preparation and give you insights into yourself and your partner. Please schedule your FOCCUS profile through your parish priest.
3. REGISTER IMMEDIATELY after reserving your wedding date at your parish. Your space must be reserved at least eight months before the wedding. To access the registration form, click here, wait for the form to appear, type in your information. Once registration is complete mail a check with a copy of your registration. The fee is $150 per couple.
4. FOCCUS EVALUATION will be done in a second meeting at the parish, approximately a month after completing the questionnaire. The information which you receive will help you to make constructive use of both your strengths and weaknesses and prepare you for more meaningful participation in the Marriage Preparation program.
5. A MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM is the next step. This is intended to give you a fuller understanding of the sacrament of matrimony as well as some practical tools for building a lifetime together. There are multiple programs listed on this website (click on the Schedule of Programs button) from which you may choose:
Diocesan Marriage Preparation - one or two-day sessionsDiocesan Marriage Preparation in Portuguese
Preparation for Remarriage - If either party has been previously married and either has
a child this program is specified.