Marriage Preparation
We look forward to working with you as you prepare for the sacrament of marriage. The wedding ceremony is only one day, but marriage is for a lifetime!
‘Matrimony is a joyful sacrament! The love of a man and a woman is the most Christ-like love. “Husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the Church” (Eph 5). Married love is the prime example of how Jesus loves the Church. Your love for one another is Godly. It is special. You are not just another couple among the millions who are getting married. You have been chosen by the Lord himself for a special mission to His chosen people.’ – Fr. Chuck Gallagher, S. J
Contact us early to begin your marriage preparation. Contact the parish before picking a wedding date! Marriage preparation will be a unique experience for each couple. We at St. Joseph want to form divorce-proof marriages that last a life time. The preparation process will involve many aspects. Some of these may include: completing the FOCCUS Marriage Ministries inventory, attending a Natural Family Planning class, meeting multiple times with a mentor couple using the Witness to Love program, attending a day formation retreat, and attending a financial class.
Contact Margie Sauter, Parish Life Coordinator, at margies@sjypsi.com or 734-780-6591 to get started.
Second Marriage?
REQUIRED FOR THOSE ENTERING A 2ND MARRIAGE: There is a new marriage preparation requirement for couples entering into a second union whether following death of previous spouse, or a previous nulled marriage.
Typical marriage education programs and ministries are not sufficient for couples entering into blended family marriages. Since marriage in a stepfamily is a "package deal" you must minister to both the couple and "the package”. This requires addressing dynamics related to ex-spouses and co-parenting, loss, stepparenting, spiritual shame, finances, and the expectations of both children and adults--just to name a few”. To do anything less is grossly inadequate to prevent divorce. The Smart Stepfamilies program, created by author, therapist, and blended family expert Ron L. Deal, brings together these different aspects a stepfamily will encounter, in order to empower blended family couples and their extended family for successful family living.
The Remarriage Retreat is a way for couples to come together in a non-threatening setting to learn about the challenges that will be experienced, as well as children entering into a stepfamily. It is also an opportunity for a couple to, possibly for the first time, begin to focus on previously unknown information or previously undiscussed topics that will bring challenges and begin the process of sharing with each other how this will be addressed within their new family dynamic.
All the Facilitators have journeyed through the trials and blessings of living in their own blended family and are willing to share their stories and help with the questions the attending couples may have.
To learn more go to: https://www.stfrancis.ws/retreats