“Jesus said: 'From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Mark 10:6-9
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” Catechism of the Catholic Church #1601 Find more here…
Couples are required to meet with the parish priest or deacon at least six months before setting a date for Marriage. Couples who plan over a year ahead have the most success at finding a reception hall and a wedding date with the church.
Marriage Prep. involves:
GENERAL:
For Your Marriage - Helps couples at all stages of life to understand and live God's plan for happy, holy marriages.
Marriage Unique for a Reason - resources to assist with the education and catechesis of Catholics on why marriage is unique and why it should be promoted and protected as the union of one man and one woman.
Marriages of Grace - offers couples the resources necessary to enrich and strengthen their marriages in a culture that is becoming increasingly challenging to the institution of marriage.
The Marriage Group - offers an online Pre-Cana course (8 hours) that is trusted and promoted by Catholic parishes and dioceses around the world.
Retrouvaille - this program is for Married Couples Facing Difficult Challenges in their Relationship. Presenters are couples sharing their personal stories of marital struggles and the tools they used to rediscover their love.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP):
1. First Learn More (online course introducing NFP)
2. NFP Courses (onsite or online from the Couple To Couple League)
Diocese of Cleveland - learn 3 methods of NFP and schedule classes
Couple To Couple League - a worldwide Catholic NFP resource for 50 years
Natural Family Planning International - a worldwide online resource
INFERTILITY ISSUES:
NaPro Technology - is a researched and published women’s health science based on CrMS observations, which provides objective information on the cycle. NaProTechnology treats problems cooperatively with the procreative and gynecologic systems while respecting the dignity of couples and women.
Springs in the Desert - is a Catholic Community formed to help with the shared suffering of infertility and loss by accompanying those with this cross on a path into fruitfulness.
DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND RESOURCES:
Hope & Healing - resource for grief support, divorce/annulments, single-parents
Marriage & Family Office - downloads to support family life: general information, divorce recovery, infertility, marriage prep & enrichment, NFP, and single Catholics