SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Marriage Formation

Congratulations on Your Engagement!

   Marriage formation here at Sacred Heart begins with an initial visit with Fr. Carter. Once the couple has been accepted into the marriage formation program, they will engage in the following main areas of preparation, in addition to attending Father's Discipleship Presentation.

   The first area is comprised of a three-part class with Fr. Carter and other engaged couples during which the nature of the human person, love and the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony will be discussed. Each engaged couple will then follow-up privately with Father to discuss their pre-nuptial inventory and talk through the details of their wedding.

   In the second area, the engaged couple will meet once a week, over a series of weeks, with a married couple trained in the art of marriage preparation. Should circumstances not permit this first option, a weekend retreat is an alternative.

    The last segment of preparation deals especially with human sexuality in the context of marriage. To fulfill this requirement of the Church, each couple will attend one introductory session of Natural Family Planning, with the option to participation in the entire class with financial support from the parish.