"Therefore a man shall... hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Genesis 2:24
Congratulations on your engagement!
It is with great joy that we look forward to preparing you for this beautiful Sacrament! The Sacrament of Marriage is a celebration of the supreme mystery by which a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so to become one flesh, thus becoming an image of the love between Christ the Groom and His Bride, the Church.
Because this Sacrament is so important to the flourishing of the Church, there is an emphasis placed on the preparation for this Sacrament. Choosing a mentor couple, completing a FOCCUS inventory, and learning about Natural Family Planning are just some of the important aspects of the marriage preparation process.
The Celebrant of your marriage is a spiritual gift: a teacher, a mentor, and a guide willing to support you as you begin your marriage together. For this reason, all our priests and deacons are committed to helping you discover the amazing journey the Lord's prepared for you.
Because of their commitment, and how busy their calendars are, it's important to let us know as soon as possible about your plans (at least 6 months in advance.
Our office will prepare the First Steps to the Altar form as soon you commit to the meeting date. Parishes in our archdiocese require the form to reserve your bridal church.
Before you come to meet the celebrant, you need to know (1) the name of the church where you were baptized (if Catholic or another denomination) and the date, (2) the names of a potential mentor couple for your marriage preparation:
MENTOR COUPLES are: + married in the Catholic Church (either at first or by Convalidation) + practicing their Catholic sacraments regularly + not a parent or grandparent