Thank you for seeking to live our Catholic faith more deeply in Marriage! This sacrament, or sacred “ecclesial” event,  unites a man and woman to live together as members of Christ’s body, the Church. The mystery of your love, already beautiful in itself, takes on the added dimension of Christ’s self-sacrificing sacred event for the whole world to see.

3 STEPS OF MARRIAGE PREPARATION:

1. The investigation- the first thing to do is contact the parish at least six months before your proposed wedding date. Please do not make any finalized plans until you meet with the Priest or Deacon (clergy) of your choice.
2. The Priest/Deacon meets the couple, starts to gather basic information- contacts, sacramental information, and to understand their relationship with each other and their faith.  They will discuss what preparations the couple should make for marriage, which is the second step. When the parish office has the needed documents (below), the couple may book a date for their wedding. 

1. Sponsor Couple Program: Sponsor Couples have received special training and meet with the engaged couple usually for five or six sessions. Each session is devoted to a particular theme about marriage such as: roles and expectations in marriage, conflicts and values, intimacy in marriage. Whatever you discuss with the couple is held in strictest confidence. The role of the couple is that of a “facilitator” and they do not make any “judgments” regarding eligibility for marriage.  

2. Engaged Encounter Weekend: each month, the diocese offers group retreats in English and Spanish. they begin Friday evening and end on Sunday afternoon. For the cost, dates, times, and locations, refer to FAMILY LIFE SERVICES on the “Phone information page” of the guidelines. You should make a reservation very early, usually 2-3 months in advance as this is a very popular program. Special “permission forms” requiring the Pastor’s signature may be necessary and are available from the church’s office.

3. Marriage Preparation Class here at St. Andrew: Deacons Michael Muench, Adam Schlegel-English and Deacon Javier Gomez-Spanish. They are usually held on two Saturdays here on our parish grounds. Registration is required prior to the classes. The cost is $60 per couple.
   

4. Online Preparation: the most flexible/on-demand form of preparation is online. This diocese uses AGAPE, a product from the Diocese of Denver. It's like sponsor couple but all virtual.

During this time of preparation, the Priest/Deacon may use a tool called FOCCUS to help the couple assess where they are in their relationship and to get more out of their chosen preparation method. The couple will also take a course on NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING. you have several to choose from. As you finish these things, you're ready for the third and final step--

DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATE REQUIRED:

1. Certificates of Baptism: Catholic and non-Catholic parties should acquire and present a letter of certificate issued only within the last 6 months (primarily this is important for the Catholic). If the Catholic was baptized here at St. Andrew, there is no need to provide the certificate, as we will have it on file

2. Holy Communion and Confirmation Certificates: The Catholic person should present a new or original Certificate of Holy Communion and Confirmation unless this is recorded on the opposite side of the recently issued Baptism Certificate.

3. Proof of Freedom to Marry: the bride and groom will each need 2 people (4 total) to complete a witness statement. If one partner had a prior union of any sort, we need proof of its type and that it no longer exists

Gracias por su deseo de vivir nuestra fe católica en el Santo Matrimonio. Cristo nos dio los Sacramentos para darnos una participacion en El. Por eso, el Matrimonio es un evento sagrado "eclesial" en  que la novia y el novio participan en una manera nueva como miembros del cuerpo de Cristo, la Iglesia. El misterio de su amor, ya es bello en sí mismo, adquiere la dimensión añadida de abnegado amor de Cristo por su Iglesia y el amor fiel de la Iglesia de Cristo. Gracias por hacerlo aqui en San Andres! Este proceso tiene 3 pasos.  

LOS TRES PASOS DE PREPARACIÓN Matrimonial

1. La pareja debe acercarse a nuestra parroquia aproximadamente seis meses antes de la fecha propuesta para su boda y abstenerse de hacer planes definitivos hasta que hayan hablado con el Sacerdote o Diácono de su elección para hacer la investigacion.
2. El Sacerdote/Diácono, programará la primera cita para la “evaluación e instrucción”.

• - El sacerdote/diácono  y la pareja discutirán qué preparativos deben hacer para el matrimonio. El les pedirá algunas preguntas y para recoger varios datos y formularios (abajo). Todo este es para ayudar a la pareja en elegir la mejor preparacion para ellos. El segundo paso se comienza.