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Marianne Agnoliagnolimdavenportdiocese.orgMarriage and Family Life Coordinator
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Pope Francis' Reflection on Engagement and Preparing for Marriage
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
The word "engagement” itself speaks of entrustment and commitment. Engagement is a time when couples come to know one another better in planning for the beautiful yet demanding enterprise of marriage. Love itself demands this preparation, which makes possible a free, generous and sober decision to enter into a life-long covenant of love.
For this reason the Church stresses the importance of the period of engagement by offering courses of marriage preparation. With the help of Christian married couples, fiancés are challenged to reflect together on their love, their future and the importance of faith and prayer in the life they are about to share.
Let us pray for young people looking forward to marriage, that they will prepare for the wedding day not in a worldly or banal way, but with the wisdom, hope and joy born of their faith in Christ.
English Summary of Pope Francis’ General Audience Address – May 27, 2015
Click here to find out what else Pope Francis has to say to engaged couples! -
Marriage Preparation Process
Congratulations on your engagement! In the hope of helping to build a solid foundation for an enriching life-long marriage, couples beginning immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Diocese of Davenport will participate in the following preparation activities:
1. Initial personal interview with the priest, deacon or pastoral minister. Please contact your parish as soon as possible to arrange for this first visit. You will need to allow for at least 6 months to complete the marriage preparation process.
2. Completion of an approved Premarital Inventory (set-up through your parish):- FOCCUS/REFOCCUS
- PREPARE/ENRICH
3. Follow-up meetings as determined by the minister.
4. Participation in a Marriage Preparation Instructional Program:- Sponsor Couple (preferred option) - check with your parish
- Approved Diocesan Marriage Preparation Workshop - see dates below
- Approved On-line option (only under special circumstance – requires parish approval)
5. Participation in an approved Introductory Natural Family Planning Instruction:Click here for a listing of free Introduction to NFP sessions.
Click here for a listing of NFP instructors, videos, and approved NFP online classes.
6. Completion of the pre-nuptial investigation form (with minister).
7. Post-wedding couple contact plan.
Click here for a summary sheet of these requirements.
We pray that your time of marriage preparation will be filled with grace and growth! -
Sponsor Couples
The Sponsor Couple ministry for Marriage Preparation utilizes trained
married couples meeting with engaged couples for 5-6 sessions, using "For Better and For Ever" by Rev. Robert Ruhnke.
Contact Marianne Agnoli or 563-888-4242 to schedule a training in your parish or deanery. -
Diocesan Marriage Preparation Workshop for Engaged Couples
Typical Schedule: Saturday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Fee: $150 per couple - covers books and materials plus all meals. Does not include lodging.
2019 DatesAugust 17: Mt. Pleasant, St. Alphonsus, registration deadline August 9
October 5: Pella, St. Mary, registration deadline September 27
2020 Dates
REMARRIAGE - January 25: Davenport, St. Vincent Center, registration deadline January 17
March 28: Bettendorf, St. John Vianney, registration deadline March 20
April 18: Bettendorf, St. John Vianney registration deadline April 10
Click here to register.
For information contact Marianne Agnoli 563-888-4242 agnolim@davenportdiocese.org.or Barb Butterworth 563-888-4240 butterworthb@davenportdiocese.org -
Marriage Preparation Online
This online program option is reserved for couples experiencing special circumstances and requires parish approval and follow-up. The program includes a premarital inventory (Catholic Couple Checkup), NFP Life - an introduction to Natural Family Planning, His and Her's downloadable discussion guides, and more. The course also offers captioning in English and Spanish, for those who are hard of hearing or have English as a second language.
The online class fee is $195 per couple. A discount is available by request for military couples.
To register go to: https://themarriagegroup.com/courses/living-our-faith-in-love/ -
Diocesan Marriage Preparation: Policies and Procedures - Access the policy.