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 in the Churches of St. Benedict, St. Francis, and St. Issac consists of the 5 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. Call Parish - 724-941-9406 (8-12 months before wedding)

a.Attend meeting with Parish Priest to complete paperwork/set Wedding Date/receive Ceremony Planning Guide

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

c. Fill out online documents to bring to meeting- found on Engaged Couple Page

2. Complete couple F.O.C.C.U.S Inventory Questionare Ceremony Plans (7-8 months before wedding)

a. Take online F.O.C.C.U.S  Couple course  

b. Meeting review F.O.C.C.U.S questions - Marriage Ambassador Jackie Schratz

c. Meet the Wedding Day Coordinators/review tentative ceremony plans

3. Marriage Preparation-Joy Filled Marriage Course/Meet with Marriage Mentors (5-8 months before wedding)

a. Go to "renewtheido.org" to register for a convenient class

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

4. Take an Organic Married Fertility Course (6-8 months before wedding)

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

b. Learn more about the methods and choices - renewtheido.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. Final Meeting with Parish Priest / Reconciliation (3-4 weeks before wedding)

a. Set up final plans for rehearsal/wedding details

b. We encourage the couple to both receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the wedding to fully enter the Sacrament of Marriage Holy prepared.