Proposed Parish Marriage Preparation Program Structure

Diocese of Richmond

Proximate Preparation	What?	When?	Where/How?	Why?	Implementation Considerations
	Couple meets initially with parish priest or deacon	8-12 months prior to desired wedding date	Face-to-face meeting	To set wedding date; review marriage prep schedule.
	Couple completes marriage inventory	As soon as possible after meeting parish priest or deacon	Usually taken within a parish program with a mentor couple or individual.	To assess strengths and of couple’s relationship and establish a strategy for growth	Diocese will make training available for parish or area-based inventory facilitators.
	Couple attends “God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage”	Anytime throughout proximate preparation, but before Natural Family Planning instruction	Seminar held in various locations around the diocese	To give a comprehensive overview of Catholic teaching on marriage and sexuality	Diocese will make training available to regional facilitators. Seminar format (one-day seminar; weekends; weeknights) can be modified to fit regional needs. Program also available in DVD, video, and CD for special cases.
	Couple attends a “Building a Life Together” component	Anytime throughout proximate preparation	Engaged Encounter; Catholic Charities; Christian Marriage Formation; Private instruction; etc.	To help couples fine-tune practical skills such as conflict management, finances, decision-making, communication	Programs must be assessed against curriculum guidelines so parishes know how much content is covered.
	Couple completes Natural Family Planning instruction	Completed before wedding	Classes with certified NFP instructors held throughout diocese; correspondence course; or online training	To ensure couples are adequately equipped to follow Church teaching on openness to life and responsible parenthood	Would need more instructors long-term; correspondence and Internet training available initially in areas currently underserved by instructors.
	Couple meets again with parish priest or deacon	As needed, after other components have been completed	Phone or face-to-face meeting	To discuss any issues raised so far and obtain referrals for additional counseling if needed	Parishes would need to have a list of resources to make available to couples who seek additional guidance on issues (e.g., Rachel’s Vineyard; Crown Financial Ministries, etc.)
Immediate Preparation	Catholic engaged encouraged to receive Reconciliation	Final 2 months before wedding	At parish during established Reconciliation times or during personal appointment with the pastor.	To ensure couples are properly disposed to receive the sacrament of marriage and understand the interplay of the sacraments.	This step is merely a strongly suggested step for the Catholic engaged; while the pastor or deacon may encourage Reconciliation, no confirmation will be needed, of course.
	Couple meets finally with parish priest or deacon	Final 2 months before wedding	Meeting with priest or deacon	To plan wedding liturgy