Sacrament of Marriage & Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation
“The love of a man and a woman
is made holy in the sacrament of marriage
and becomes the mirror of God’s everlasting love.”
-Rite of Marriage
Before contacting the parish to set a wedding date please read our wedding policy
The engaged couple should contact the parish at least NINE MONTHS prior to the desired date of the wedding (and before setting an exact date!). Our wedding coordinator will get back to you and set your wedding date on our calendar after determining your eligibility to be married at St. Thomas Aquinas or St. John Church and Student Center.
Your marriage preparation consists of:
The couple attending a wedding workshop with other couples to complete the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study) pre-marriage inventory and other required paperwork. You will also get an overview of the preparation process and hear from someone from our music department. Contact Colleen at 517-337-9778 ext. 124 to register for a workshop. You will need to attend a workshop at least 6 months before your wedding date
2011-2012 Workshop Dates
September 10, 2011
November 19, 2011
January 14, 2012
March 10, 2012
May 12, 2012
Following the workshop a mentor couple from the parish will be assigned to meet with the engaged couple 1 or 3 times to review the FOCCUS.
You will also receive information about the two seminars that the engaged couple should participate in:
- The ENGAGED SEMINAR in held on a Saturday, at St. John or another local parish.(Required)
- WE C.A.R.E. is a six hour program for Communication And Relationship Enhancement, offered regularly in the Lansing area. (Recommended) http://www.dioceseoflansing.org/familylife/index.html
For more information, contact the St Thomas Aquinas Parish Office at (517) 351-7215 or the St. John Church & Student Center Office at (517) 337-9778. You can email weddings@elcatholics.org