Marriage Preparation
Both parties must participate in some form of diocesan approved pre-marriage instruction, well before their scheduled wedding date. This is an opportunity to consider marriage and its many aspects from a Christian perspective. You may fulfill this requirement in a number of ways.
St. Paul, Newman Center’s Marriage Preparation Program
The Newman Center helps engaged couples fulfill the diocesan marriage-preparation requirement through one-day, marriage-preparation workshops held at the Newman Center, on selected Saturdays throughout the year. As part of this program, couples are required to complete a FOCCUS Inventory questionnaire and to meet with a Newman Center, FOCCUS counselor to review the inventory results prior to attending the one-day workshop. Following completion of the workshop, each couple is assisted in scheduling an appointment to meet for a single session with a licensed marriage and family counselor associated with the Newman Center.
The date for the Marriage Preparation Workshop this year is March 3, 2007.
Advanced registration is required. This program is included in the Newman Centers $400 marriage fee.
Click HERE for procedures.
Engaged Encounter Weekend The Diocese offers weekend retreats (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center, in Three Rivers, CA. This retreat accommodates approximately 30-40 couples, and is offered periodically throughout the year. Reservations and a fee are required for participation. The Diocesan Pastoral Center can provide you with additional information regarding this Engaged Encounter Retreat.
Pre-Marriage Counseling
If you are unable (for a compelling reason) to participate in the Newman Center’s Marriage Preparation Program, or to participate in the Diocese sponsored Engaged Encounter Weekend, the Newman Center can help for you to participate in pre-marriage counseling through a licensed counselor associated with the Newman Center. There is a counseling fee associated with this for which you will be responsible.
Pre-Marriage Preparation Certificate
After completing your pre- marriage preparation instruction, a certificate of completion will be placed in your wedding file
Marriage Support and Enrichment
Support & Enrichment: The Newman Center offers monthly group meetings for socialization, support, education and enrichment. The meetings are held every 4 th Friday of the month in John XXIII from 6:30-8:00 pm. and are presented by Ellen Truschell, M.A., a licensed marriage and family therapist. Free child care is provided. Engaged couples are also welcome.
Great Date Nights: The Newman Center sponsors date nights every 3 rd Friday of the month to help married couples to have least one date night per month. Couples are asked to make the commitment of having one date night each month to enrich their marriages, to help improve communication and to make their relationship a priority. The program includes a brief 20 minute video presentation based on the book, “10 Great Dates” by David and Claudia Arp which each couple receives. The meetings are held in John XXIII beginning promptly at 7:00pm. Free child care is provided from 6:45-9:30pm.
Retrouvaille
Retrouvaille is a national organization which offers a weekend program with post-weekend sessions for troubled marriages. The Retrouvaille weekend provides a Catholic spiritual context and the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis is on communication between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way. Through presentations, private reflection, and dialogue, couples whose marriages are seriously troubled and who may be contemplating divorce are invited to reflect on their marriage and on what they can do to save it. For more information, call (800) 470-2230 or go to www.HelpOurMarriage.com