Year of Prayer
September 2009 - August 2010
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Present your needs to God in every form of
prayer and petitions full of gratitude.
Phillipians 4;4,6b
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Lansing at 3815 S Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910-4501 US - Marriage Preparation
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Marriage Preparation
Marriage Requirements at Immaculate Heart of Mary |
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As Christians, we recognize marriage
as personal, public and spiritual. It involves two different individuals who promise to become one in a covenant of intimate and lasting union; it is public because it provides companionship, continues the human race, and assures the welfare of family life and society at large; it is spiritual because we believe that it is the way God created for man and woman to fully express their love for each other. The Church celebrates marriage as a sacrament, or a sign of God's life touching our lives, because the marriage symbolizes Christ's eternal and intimate love for His people, the Church.Your wedding, then, is more than a private contract or public exchange of promises. It is also an act of worship in which you promise your love to each other, and receive promises of support from your families, friends, and all of the church, as represented by the Church's minister (priest/deacon). It is "your day," but because you are part of the Church, it is also the day of the Church to celebrate and rejoice.
To adequately prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage, you are asked to take part in the following, not for the sake of imposition of rules', but because the Church is aware of the richness and beauty of the sacramentality of marriage. These suggestions are put forth with the hope of strengthening the stability of marriage by enabling you to develop a beautiful and permanent marital relationship.
Requirements: Sponsor Couple Meetings: Approximately 5 meetings with a sponsor couple. At the first session, the engaged couple will respond individually to an attitudes inventory called F.O.C.C.U.S. (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study). In the remaining sessions the sponsor couple will guide a conversation about the engaged couples' answers to the FOCCUS Inventory, and discuss the major areas of married life - families of origin, finances, communication, married spirituality, sexuality, and children. You will be assigned a sponsor couple shortly after your initial meeting with the priest.
WE C. A. R. E. (Communication and Relationship Enhancement) Training Seminar: This program is designed to teach couples communication skills and techniques for handling conflict and promoting intimacy. The aim of this program is to prevent future marital problems and possible divorce. A schedule of WE C.A.R.E. sessions, along with a registration form, is included in your marriage preparation packet. You may sign up for this training in one of three ways: one six hour session, two 3 hour sessions or three 2 hour sessions. There is a fee of $75.00 for this training.
Foundations of the Faith Series: A four-part series explaining the fundamentals of the Catholic faith. Note: These sessions are not about marriage. You are asked to call the rectory office to register. (393-3030)
A Time for Reflection: A mini-retreat on the Sacrament of Marriage and married spirituality. This gathering will take place at the parish and will be offered several times a year. You are asked to call the parish office to register. The recommended order for marriage preparation:
A. Initial meeting with the priest at least 9 months before anticipated wedding date B. First meeting with the sponsor couple C. WE C.A.R.E. Training D. Remaining sessions with the sponsor couple E. Foundations of the Faith Series (May attend whenever the series is offered) F. A mini-retreat on Marriage G.Planning the ceremony with the liturgist/musician H. Final meeting with the priest