Formation, Marriage - Monday, February 19, 2007 15:28 - 0 Comments

Marriage

Marriage Preparation at Our Lady of Mount

Carmel has the following components:

1.  An initial meeting with the pastor and one of the marriage preparation couples is held on the Thursday before the 2nd Sunday of the month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. At this meeting the general process is described, basic information gathered, the couple receives the marriage preparation guidelines as well as a planning booklet.
2. FOCCUS: Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study
   • The questionnaire is ‘an inventory – it’s not a test.’ The questions seek to ‘hook into’ people in order to ‘maximize the ways for them to get in touch with their own issues, attitudes and agendas.’ For greatest benefit, [take] the inventory one year to six months before the wedding (eight months is typical), and before getting started in the other components. Read more about FOCCUS
   • The “reading” of the FOCCUS is done with a priest, deacon or one of the prepared marriage team couples. The goal is to foster communication and building of a relationship of trust and openness with the couple.
3. Couple Preparation Sessions:
   • These six (6) sessions are held on the 2nd Sunday of the month (normally) from 9-11 a.m. A team of couples guide the couples currently preparing for marriage in the parish.
4. Engaged Encounter or Marriage Encounter Weekend:
   • Engaged Encounter is a retreat weekend for unmarried couples preparing for their marriage. Click the words “Engaged Encounter” above to connect to a link explaining more about the purpose of Engaged Encounter.
   • Marriage Encounter is a weekend retreat designed to help couples already married (at least five years) to deepen their relationship by honing their communication skills.  Couples who have been married for some time civilly and are now preparing for marriage in the Church are invited to participate in the Marriage Encounter.
5. Planning of the wedding ceremony itself is guided by the parish guideline sheet available at the parish office.

The Diocese of El Paso asks couples to inform their parish at least SIX MONTHS prior to the intended date of marriage. It’s better to begin early!!!

Arréglese con el sacerdote a lo menos SEIS MESES antes de la fecha.