Sacred Heart Parish
The Four Steps Of Marriage Preparation
Step One
The couple contacts the priest for an appointment.
Note: No weddings are "booked over the phone" because the priest and the couple need to get to know one another before planning such an important step. It would not make sense to ask a stranger to witness your marriage.
Step Two
The priest meets with the couple two or three times. During these sessions: They discuss how the partners feel about each other, the Church and the Sacrament of Marriage. Sometimes people have been away from the Church for awhile. And this is a good time to re-establish ties, ask questions, and to "mend fences". It is important that the partners feel some commitment to the Church, and not use the Church as a nice setting for a beautifully staged wedding, or just to keep the parents happy.
Step Three
The couple goes to a Marriage Preparation Program. These are usually given by married couples who share the ups and downs of their marriage experience. We have found that most often engaged couples go to these workshops feeling that they do not need them and that they know pretty much all there is to know about being married. But, by the end, they tell us that they have learned a lot.
Step Four
The couple returns to the priest for one or two more meetings. The priest explains the Sacrament of Marriage. They discuss their reactions to the workshops and by now, they should know each other fairly well. So, the priest who is asked to witness the marriage can honestly say that the couple is well prepared. The priest helps the couple plan a wedding or a ceremony that reflects their personalities and commitment, to each other and to God.