Congratulations on your engagement! We know that this is a very happy, exciting and busy time. The information provided below should help to answer some of the questions which you may have regarding the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage here at St. Angela Merici Church.
The decision to marry is a lifelong commitment to one another and to the faith community of the Church. Those who enter this covenant relationship that is permanent, exclusive and open to life must give careful consideration. Marriage Preparation Programs for the Engaged are designed to deepen a couple’s awareness of the challenges of living together in Christian marriage. Through discussions, exercises and presentations by married couples, participants are enabled to recall the richness of their own experiences.
Marriage Preparation
You cannot set a date for your marriage until you have met with one of our priests or deacons. As you meet with him, you will gather documents and fill out paperwork which becomes your marriage preparation file. You will be asked to choose one of the marriage preparation program options available through the Diocese of Orange. Upon completion of that program, you will be given a certificate which should be presented to the priest or deacon.
For more information please contact the Parish Center Office.
Engaged Encounter
In today’s world, the vocation of marriage is often threatened by a myriad of outside influences. Commitment to the vocation of marriage speaks to the grace received in the sacrament of Matrimony. The “Marriage in the Lord” program includes realistic expectations, goal setting, time management, finances and family planning topics. This ten-hour program is presented in a large group setting. Sharing by married couples, time for couples to reflect and discuss topics individually and in small groups. This program is offered on a quarterly basis in Deanery II in the month of January, April, July and October at Holy Family Cathedral. Volunteers are asked to commit to assisting in the program for four nights once a year. It’s a great way to express your commitment to the Sacrament of Matrimony; both your own sacrament and that of others.
This is a working weekend away with other engaged couples, with time to be alone as a couple to build a closer relationship. It is designed to give couples planning marriage the opportunity to dialogue about their future together, their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, their attitudes about money, sex, children, family, and their roles in the church and society in a face to face way. The weekend retreats are held twice a month.
Please call the Catholic Engaged Encounters phone number at 951.737.9399 or visit their website for dates and information at www.eeweekend.org.