Marriage Preparation - PreCana

Marriage Preparation

Congratulations, You're Engaged!

A wedding is a day but a Marriage is a lifetime.

Thinking about getting married in the Catholic Church? Wondering what to do to get started?

Important First Steps:

Book the church before the reception hall. Please note all church dates are tentative until the first meeting with the Priest or Deacon.
Call St. Anthony Rectory at (973) 427-1478 to schedule a meeting with the Priest or Deacon as soon as you decide to set the wedding date.
In accordance with Diocesan policy, the couple must make arrangements one year in advance.

At your first meeting, the priest or deacon will give you a booklet which explains in brief the marriage preparation process and requirements for the Catholic Diocese of Paterson and St. Anthony's Parish Community. This booklet is called No Longer Two But One!

The Sacrament of Marriage celebrates and witnesses the covenant of love between two people and symbolizes in that union Christ's covenant of love for the Church. Since marriage is such a sacred and challenging vocation, it is of the utmost importance that couples be properly prepared to enter this sacrament.

This preparation time requires completion of both Part One and Part Two of our Diocesan programs mentioned below.

PART ONE:
ATTENDING A FORMAL PREPARATION PROGRAM

Pre Cana Conference

The Pre Cana Conference is a day-long marriage preparation workshop designed to assist engaged couples in preparing for their life-long vocation of marriage. It consists of a series of presentations providing basic instruction on the nature of Christian marriage: its essential elements, the role that God desires to play in marriage and family life, and the importance of communication.

There are several opportunities to attend Pre Cana. St. Anthony's Parish offers the Conference twice a year, usually one Sunday in October and one Sunday in March.

The all-day session is presented by a Pre Cana team composed of married couples who will reflect on the different aspects of married life such as communication, sexuality, family life and spirituality through presentation, sharing, group discussion and liturgy. Meals are provided. For dates, locations and fee, contact Deacon Tony at 973-427-1478.

Engaged Encounter

The Engaged Encounter is a weekend experience, which offers the couple an opportunity to really get away from it all and to focus on their relationship with each other, God and His Church.

The emphasis of the weekend is on the marriage, not the wedding. Engaged couples are able to consider their upcoming marriages through face-to-face, heart-to-heart dialogue with each other thus learning a communication techniques they can use the rest of their lives.

Couples also really enjoy the social and meal times to get to know the team and other couples. The opportunity to participate in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, make this weekend complete. Your future marriage is definitely worth a weekend away to prepare.

For dates, locations and fees, contact the sites below:

Engaged Encounter: Paterson Diocese site http://www.patersondiocese.org

Engaged Encounter: Main Site http://www.engagedencounter.org

PART TWO:
COUPLES MEET SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE PRIEST OR DEACON

Your call to Christian marriage is a call to Christ-like service to each other, to the parish, and to your community. Your marriage is intimately linked with Christian's call to love and to serve one another and most especially, your spouse

During the meetings with the priest or deacon, you will discuss the meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. With this step, you will realize that marriage is a life long deliberately conscious commitment that you and your spouse make to each other in partnership with Jesus Christ. Through your union in the Sacrament of Marriage you will build up the kingdom of God through your love for each other and with the children you may add to your married life.

In your visit with the priest or deacon you will participate in an inventory tool, such as FOCCUS. This professional assessment will give you insights and an understanding of you and your intended spouse. It is not a test but it is an opportunity to enjoy learning about yourselves and your relationship.

In another session the priest or deacon reviews the results of the inventory tool with you and assists you in making constructive use of your strengths and weaknesses as individuals and as a couple.

In another session the priest or deacon to whom you bring your Sacramental records will complete a Pre-Nuptial questionnaire.

Additional visits allows you and the priest or deacon to check the progress of your marriage preparation, discuss the steps remaining before your wedding day and provide an opportunity to answer any questions you may have before the wedding.

The preparation for the wedding liturgy gives you, the ministers of your marriage, the opportunity to prepare a beautiful and meaningful wedding liturgy. Your priest or deacon will help you make choices about scripture readings, weddings vows and music which is appropriate for the Mass, as well as other protocols. (Music Ministry)

The wedding rehearsal is the culmination of a long and meaningful preparation for your marriage. It is the final step before you go to the altar of God and bestow upon each other the Sacrament of Matrimony

Resources:

MARRIAGE HELPS (For those already married)

Worldwide Marriage Encounter:
http://www.wwme.org

Retrouvaille: (For troubled marriages)
http://www.dioceseofprovidence.org

Natural Family Planning

Modern Natural Family Planning (NFP) is not the outdated calendar rhythm method, but a natural way to postpone or achieve pregnancy. It is based on an awareness of a woman's fertility. It's medically safe, 99% effective, very low cost, often has a positive effect on the couple's marriage and is morally acceptable to use.

For a brief description of the methods available in our Diocese go to: http://www.patersondiocese.org

General info: http://ccli.org/nfp/morality/index.php