OFFICE OF FAITH FORMATION
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​MARRIAGE PREPARATION

The marriage preparation program is offered via online sessions. A version of this program is also offered in Spanish. 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.

Along with the online program, couples are assigned trained Mentor Couples, who will guide them through the process, answer questions, and share their own experiences as married couples. 

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. During this meeting you may also discuss what marriage preparation program is best for you and your fiancé.

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 you can make your payment via PayPal or mail a check payable to the Office of Faith Formation 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 (find "Schedule of Programs" or "Engaged Encounter" in the drop down menu) from which you may choose:
  •    Diocesan Marriage Preparation - online program.
  •    Diocesan Marriage Preparation in Portuguese
  •    Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) Weekend- a retreat weekend
  •    Preparation for Remarriage - If either party has been previously married and either has a child, this program is specified  

6.  PLANNING THE WEDDING LITURGY. Because the couple are the ministers of the Sacrament of Matrimony, you will want to take time to carefully read the booklet "Together For Life" which you will receive from your parish. This will help you plan a meaningful liturgy.

7.  A THIRD PARISH VISIT is an opportunity to discuss your reactions to the marriage preparation session and to make specific plans with the priest/deacon for your wedding liturgy.

8.  WEDDING REHEARSAL is the final step before approaching the altar to bestow on each other the Sacrament of Matrimony.

9.  WEDDING - May God bless you with a happy and holy lifetime together!

Services

RCIA
Marriage
Bereavement

Company

Office of Faith Formation
​About
Fall River Diocese

Support

​Contact
423 Highland Avenue
Fall River, MA 02720
508-675-1311
Email: office@dfrcs.org

© COPYRIGHT 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
    • About Us
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Adult Confirmation
  • Becoming Catholic
    • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
    • Rite of Election
    • Team RCIA
    • Catholics Come Home
  • Bereavement
    • Fall River Area
    • Community Nurse & Hospice Care
    • Attleboro Area Support Group
    • Rainbows
    • Fall River Area Widow/Widower Support
    • Hospice & Palliative Care
    • North Attleboro Area
    • Cape Cod & Southeastern MA
    • Seasons of Hope
  • Forward Together
  • Marriage
    • Marriage Enrichment Day 2021
    • Marriage Preparation
    • Married Before - ReMarriage Prep
    • 2021 Marriage Prep Programs
    • Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE)
    • Natural Family Planning
    • Troubled Marriages
    • Divorced and Separated
    • Worldwide Marriage Encounter
    • Marriage Resources for Teams and Couples
  • Resources
    • Online Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Catechetical Leader Resources
  • Youth & Young Adult
    • Renewing the Vision
    • Christian Leadership Institute (CLI)
    • ECHO
    • YES! Retreat
    • World Youth Day 2022
    • Catholic Scouting
    • Pope St. Pius X Youth Award