“The sacrament of Matrimony…perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies way to eternal life. - (CCC 1661)
Our parish is dedicated to helping couples prepare for a lifetime of marriage as well as a prayerful and joyful celebration of their wedding day. Our marriage preparation supports couples in deepening their relationship with God and one another, providing catechesis on the graces and duties of the sacrament, developing their communication skills, supporting them in connecting with our parish community, and accompanying them in planning their wedding liturgy. Engaged couples seeking to be married at or prepared for marriage at St. John Neumann should complete the wedding request form below.
Steps for Marriage Preparation:
Step 1: Initial Meeting
- Complete “Form I”
- Begin Inquiry of Freedom to Marry
- Explain Marriage Preparation Process
- Discuss Desired Wedding Date(s)
- Discuss Wedding Facility Fee
- Receive Resources and Books Used in Preparation
Step 2: Confirm Wedding Date
Wedding Dates can only be confirmed when:
- All Steps are Completed to Confirm Freedom to Marry
- (Freedom to Marry Affidavits, and, if necessary, Declaration of Nullity of a previous attempted marriage)
- Wedding Facility Fee is Paid
- Wedding Date is Confirmed by Marriage and Family Life Coordinator
Step 3: Attend the Pre-Cana Conference
The Marriage Formation Day is the on-site experience for engaged couples from all around the Diocese of Columbus to begin their formal marriage preparation process.
Step 4: Complete the Pre-Marital Inventory
Couples will receive an email after confirming their wedding date to complete the Fully Engaged Pre-Marital Inventory.
Step 5: Meet with a Married Mentor Couple
Our mentor couples provide a safe space for an engaged couple to converse on important issues facing every married couple. Our mentor couples are trained in the Fully Engaged mentoring process. Engaged couples can expect 4-6 meetings with their mentor couple.
Step 6: Natural Family Planning Instruction
Couples may choose a preferred natural family planning method in which they would like to be trained. Through this training, couples will learn to monitor and chart signs of a woman’s fertility. Training in NFP supports spouses whether they may be seeking to achieve or postpone pregnancy at a given time in their marriage.
Step 7: Attend an Engaged Couple’s Dinner
Our Engaged Couples are invited a few times a year to meet with Fr. Dury and a team of married couples for a dinner at the parish. This elegant community meal enables engaged couples connect with our parish and one another while reflecting on topics related to marriage and family life.
Step 8: Plan the Wedding Liturgy
Couples will be contacted by our Sacred Music Director and our Wedding Coordinator about 2 months before their wedding to assist with planning the wedding liturgy.
Step 9: Sacrament of Reconciliation
It is such a gift to enter into the Sacrament of Marriage knowing the gift of God’s forgiveness. For this reason, couples are encouraged to go to confession before their wedding.
Step 10: Final Meeting
Engaged couples should schedule a meeting with the priest celebrating their wedding Mass about one week before the wedding.
Contact John Pratt to Set Up A Meeting Below
John Pratt
Marriage, Family Life, and Life Groups Ministries Coordinator
X 113
jpratt@stjohnsunbury.org
