Engaged Enrichment and Marriage Preparation

Preparation for a Sacramental Marriage

The Church must therefore promote better and more intensive programs of marriage preparation, in order to eliminate, as far as possible, the difficulties that many married couples find themselves in, and even more to favor positively the establishing and maturing of successful marriages. Marriage preparation has to be seen and put into practice as a gradual and continuous process. It includes three main stages: remote, proximate, and immediate preparation. (Familiaris Consortio, 96)

Remote Preparation (Nazareth Project and Parish Cooperation)

Remote preparation for marriage begins in early childhood and continues through the teen years. Such preparation is accomplished through the examples of family life and through the Teaching Office of the Church. The primary responsibility for remote preparation lies within the context of the family and parish community. The Nazareth Project seeks to support families and local parishes with age-appropriate formation.

Proximate Preparation (Nazareth Project)

Proximate preparation for marriage begins when a dating relationship becomes serious and marriage becomes a real possibility. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has set forth specific guidelines regarding marriage preparation programs, and the Wisconsin Catholic Conference has adapted those guidelines for particular use among the Dioceses of Wisconsin. The Nazareth Project is responsible for insuring that proximate preparation in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee meets these pastoral guidelines. A minimum of six months preparation is required for all marriages in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

2010 Engaged Enrichment Brochure

Engaged Enrichment Site Locations and Directions

Natural Family Planning Resources

FOCCUS
 

Immediate Preparation (Parish Based)

Immediate preparation for marriage takes place in the parish setting. While The Nazareth Project does not directly engage in immediate preparation, we do support parishes and clergy with necessary resources.

Retreat Opportunities

These retreat opportunities are for Engaged Couples who would like to explore their relationship more in-depth.  The retreat opportunities do not replace the required Engaged Enrichment Formation conferences or days; they are meant to enhance the formation conferences and days at a deeper level.

"Understanding God's Design for Marriage" (based on God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage)

During this retreat we will reflect upon the Scriptures to discover God’s design for Marriage based on Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

We invite you, Engaged Couples, to attend this retreat and allow God to walk with you as you walk the grounds of the Redemptorist Retreat Center; to listen to God, who speaks with you through His Word and through the married couples, through the other engaged couples    attending the retreat, and through sharing your love, dreams and thoughts with each other.

Date: October 30-31, 2010 - starting at 9:30 am Saturday thru 2 p.m. Sunday

Place: Redemptorist Retreat Center, Oconomowoc

Contact: The Nazareth Project at 414-758-2213 or olivaj@archmil.org

The Retreat Brochure can be found here (PDF)

Catholic Engaged Encounter  

Catholic Engaged Encounter is Christ-Centered marriage preparation program for couples being married in the Catholic Church. This weekend-long workshop will encourage couples to share honest and intensive communication about their future lives together including money, children, sexuality, and their roles in the church and society through a series of writings and shared exercises. The couple will be challenged to explore many aspects of their relationship, their spiritual life and their expectations of marriage in a deeper, more profound way than ever before.

Make your house - your family - another Nazareth where love, peace, joy and unity reign, for love begins at home!
~ Blessed Teresa of Calcutta