Engaged Couples Information

Wedding Feast at Cana

Jesus called himself, the Bridegroom and the Church his Bride, and their union in Heaven as the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb."  God created marriages and used this special time to perform his First Mircle.

The Trinity 

The "Icon of the Trinity",  on earth is marriage between a man and a woman.

This vocation of love mirrors the love between the Father and the Son, who is the Holy Spirit.

The 3 Rings symbolize the Union of a Married Couple United with the Love  of God. No longer two, but three in one .

God designed the first Union between Adam and Eve, a design that replicates itself- whose total outpouring of Love populates the earth.

Invite God to Guide You Through This Promise of Love, Promise of Self, and a Promise of a God Filled Marriage.

The Catholic Church provides teaching and resources to help prepare engaged couples to unite themselves with God in the Catholic Faith, ordained by a Priest and witnessed by members of the church community.

The Sacrament of Marriage has taught us to Love,  as Christ loved the church. Unique to the Catholic Church the Marriage Covenant is performed in the church after the couples have prepared learning each other's individual way of loving and each other's unique way they approach marriage.

These love differences will be identified and discussed how to bring them together in a Life Long Love. 

The Marriage Preparation process at St. John XXIII is a unique personalized program tailored to each couple's need and consists of the 6 Step Love Journey (See below).

We feel it is important for the couple to complete all the steps as they "Journey Towards a Christ Filled Marriage" in the Catholic Church.

Begin Your Journey of Marriage Preparation

1. Call the Parish Office at 724-941-9406 to schedule a meeting with a priest.

2. Schedule an initial meeting/conversation with Marriage Ambassador, Jackie Schratz, at 724-344-2683.

   1.   (8-12 months before your Wedding)

1. Call the Parish Office at 724-941-9406 to schedule a meeting with a Parish Priest to complete paperwork/set Wedding Date/receive Ceremony Planning Guide

2. Initial meeting/conversation with Marriage Ambassador, Jackie Schratz at 724-344-2683.

3. Complete online documents - found on Engaged Couple Page

   2.  (7-8 months before your Wedding)

1. Take online F.O.C.C.U.S Couple course/Fee $20 per couple

2. Meeting to review F.O.C.C.U.S questions with Marriage Ambassador Jackie Schratz

3.  Wedding Day Coordinator - Dianna Baumann-Fisher will contact you ( via email ) providing information for the Wedding Rehearsal and Wedding Ceremony plans

  3.  (5-8 months before your Wedding)

1. Go to "renewtheido.org" to register for a Diocesan Approved Marriage Preparation class.

2. Meet with 1 mentor couple to journey with you during your preparation-contact Jackie Schratz

  4.  (6-8 months before your Wedding)

1. Take an Organic Married Fertility Course

2. At the Marriage Preparation Weekend, you can determine the method that works best for you as a couple

Learn more about the methods and choices - Modernfertilitycare.org   

Couple to Couple -Dave & Maria Phelps mariaphelps@gmail.com

Billings Ovulation Method- Dolores Shipe dolores@renewtheido.org

Creighton Fertility Care - Susan Loughnane creightonSusan@comcast.net

Marquette Method-Dr. Kristin Lin 412-685-3373 or
Fr. Jim Holland jholland@diopitt.org

  5.  (1-2 month before your Wedding )

1. Final Meeting with Parish Priest / Reconciliation.  Setup up final plans for Rehearsal and Wedding details.
   Contact the Music Ministry Director:
   St. Benedict Church -
   Tom Franzak 724-941-9406 ext.108
   Email: tomfsbapeters.org
   
   St. Francis Church
   Sean Thornton 724-941-9406 ext. 129
   Email: seant@john23.org

2. Contact the wedding coordinator,  Dianna Baumann- Fisher, at 724-941-8728 for information regarding rehearsal and wedding.

  6. (3-4 weeks before your Wedding)

1. Final Meeting with Parish Priest / Reconciliation. >Setup up final plans for Rehearsal and Wedding details.

2. We encourage the couple to both, if Catholic, to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the wedding to fully enter the Sacrament of Marriage spiritually prepared.