MARRIAGE

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MARRIAGE - 6 months preparation

MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM

In order to assist you in successfully living your life together as husband and wife, Immaculate Conception Church and the Diocese of Cheyenne have a preparation program which ordinarily lasts a minimum of six (6) months. This time is for you. It is a time for you to come to know and understand each other even more fully than you do now, and to enable you to express your expectations and hopes for your married life. It is a time for you to confirm and finalize your decision to marry, becoming as certain as possible that you will be able to live your life together as husband and wife, and that your decision has been made freely. To assist the two of you in this task, we provide the following:
1. FOCCUS - For Open Couple Communication and Understanding Skills:
This is an instrument (NOT a test) to help you discover areas of agreement and disagreement as well as areas for more discussion. You will discuss your results with each other assisted by your priest, deacon or mentor couple.
1. Natural Family Planning: The class is available online.
The priest or deacon will also assist you in completing and collecting all the necessary documentation that the Church requires. These documents include:

Proof of Baptism: If you are Catholic, you must provide us with a baptismal certificate, issued within six months of your anticipated wedding date. Please write to the Church of your baptism. If you need assistance in obtaining the address of the Church, we can help you. A photocopy of the baptismal certificate will be sufficient for non-Catholic Christians.

Proof of Confirmation: This may be included on the back of the Baptismal Certificate. If not, you will need to provide evidence of your confirmation. Catholics are to be confirmed prior to being married, unless it poses a serious difficulty. Telephone the parish office for information on confirmation classes (875-2184).

The Prenuptial Investigation (MA form): A brief interview to collect biographical information.

The Freedom to Marry Testimonies (MB form): Statements from your parents or other close relatives concerning your marital status and freedom to marry.

Dispensations, Permissions and other documents: If they are necessary, the priest or deacon will be happy to explain the reason these documents are necessary, and he will help you to collect them.

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Cohabitation: The time of preparation for marriage is a time of courtship, not cohabitation. Avoiding cohabitation more readily assures the freedom needed to exit the relationship, and the physical and psychological distance necessary to make objective decisions. Living apart also removes an occasion for sins against the sixth and ninth commandments. If these distinctions are confusing, discuss them with the priest or deacon assisting you.

Premarital Sex: Sexual relations prior to marriage, besides violating our belief as Christians, move the relationship beyond courtship. Another reason to avoid this behavior is to ensure the freedom necessary to exit the relationship and the objectivity to make a good decision.

Reconciliation: Each of us experiences our own sinfulness and our constant need for repentance and conversion. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is an excellent way to express this sorrow for our sins, to make a firm amendment of purpose, and to celebrate God’s loving mercy and forgiveness. It can be a great assistance to you as you prepare yourself spiritually for the reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony. The priest witnessing your wedding vows would be more than happy to provide you with the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: If one of you is not Catholic and would like to know more about the Catholic Church, or is interested in becoming a Catholic, you are invited to inquire further about our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Please call the parish office (875-2184).

Immaculate Conception Catholic church

Green River, WY

MARRIAGE