M ARRIAGE P REPARATION “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.” Genesis 2:24 Copyright © 2013 All rights reserved

We do not use a traditional “lecture” format for our course. Our approach is to get you to think, search, reflect, and discuss, to find your own answers first. Then we give you the teachings of the Church. This is known as a “heuristic” method of teaching in which students discover for themselves what is being taught. This allows you to “own” your knowledge. WELCOME! We are happy to begin this course with you in preparation for the most important step of your life. 2 click

TWO STEPS Step one: filling out the assignment This is the reflection part of the course: you search for your own answers to the questions, then discuss and share them with each other before writing them down and submitting the form. click

TWO STEPS Step two: reading the answer key The answer key is the core of the course, so don’t skip it. It is in this part of the course that your instructors will review your work. They will first acknowledge your answers, then complete and correct them if need be. Your instructors’ goal is to help you understand why the Church teaches what she teaches, never to judge you. There is no grading. After each personal answer from your instructors, you will find the corresponding teachings of the Church, unchanging from person to person, along with resources. The link to your next assignment will be at the end of your answer key. click

WHAT DOES ONE-ON-ONE MEAN? click Your instructor couple will follow you throughout the preparation process. They will review each of your assignments and answer all of your questions. The course triggers discussions on personal matters. Your instructor couple will be available via the assignments or through to guide you through them if you wish to. It is up to you to decide the level of personalization that you desire. Your instructors will follow your lead. All information is strictly confidential.

We will be speaking consistently about God because marriage is first of all a spiritual adventure. You most likely already know this since you are asking to receive this Sacrament or blessing of the Catholic Church. God created marriage and He created it for a reason. By wanting a Catholic wedding, you are inviting God at the center of your life. click

WHAT WILL THIS COURSE GIVE YOU? A moral and spiritual compass: The theology of marriage and sexuality. The meaning of true self-giving love. Foundations for your marriage. When you build a house, you start by digging deep enough foundations that will allow it to resist the storms. Life-skills will be intertwined throughout the whole course. We do not separate the practical from the spiritual. The secret to a successful, life-long marriage is for it to be Christ-centered. Christ himself said, John 15:5 “Without me you can do nothing..." John 15:5 click

COURSE PLAN 8 1) God’s Plan in Genesis The creation account: what it means to be man and woman, and what God had in mind when inventing marriage. This is a first and major step towards a better understanding of God’s plan and communication with each other. 2) The Sacrament of Matrimony What this amazing gift from Christ is and what it entails. Letter to the Ephesians: our differences as man and woman, and the way we should handle them: the love and respect connection. click

9 3 and 4) Two Questionnaires in a more traditional teaching method: 3) Formation of Conscience and 4) “Green Sex,” an audio talk by Jason Evert. These two assignments will require you answer questions based on the teachings. 5) The Rite of Marriage: We will analyze the words of the rite and dig into the concepts of true freedom and true love; we will gain new insights on sexuality and the sanctity of life, discuss parenting, and our families of origin. This is our longest and most important assignment. 6) Forgiveness: Your Body is a Temple Importance of forgiveness and dignity of the body. click COURSE PLAN

10 7) Relationship Tools: You will discuss your life-project and align your expectations of marriage with reality; we will give you financial resources and advice; we will also help you practice your communication skills through several exercises. Finally we will discuss what true prayer is and how it keeps a family together. This time of preparation will be an opportunity for you to get to know each other more deeply. If you keep an open mind, it should trigger great discussions between the two of you, and with your instructors as well. click COURSE PLAN

Some might expect a marriage prep course to focus mostly on life skills: finances, communication skills, conflict resolutions, parenting, and a bit of counseling. First of all, we are not counselors (but we do offer the services of a Catholic Counselor throughout the course). Now, yes, Christian marriage has both human and religious dimensions. 11 The Church needs to be concerned to form and prepare you in both. However, not only is the religious aspect the more important (in fact, it is the “soul” so to speak, of the human dimension) it is also the one in which the Church alone has a pre-eminent competence. click

12 In other words, you can easily learn everything you need to know regarding the human dimension of marriage from reliable secular sources, and we will refer you to them. However, with respect to the religious dimension of marriage it is the Church and the Church alone that can teach you what you need to know. click

This is why we work one-on-one with you, helping you understand the meaning of your religious marriage and the amazing graces you will receive. Christ's grace is worth more than all human wisdom combined. Because of our confused culture, we believe that we can no longer offer a “one-size-fits-all” marriage prep program. We want to help couples build strong Christ-centered marriages, one couple at a time. click

End Our marriage will be much more satisfying because we took this course and we are enriched and focused on what it means to be a Catholic in a marriage to each other. Although we came into the course with strong understandings, the question and response format helps us to refine out thoughts and share them with each other and that has been so rewarding. Your feedback has been helpful and the resources you gave us in our sheets have given us new ways to look at our faith. It's like re-reading a book from your childhood and realizing there is much more nuance to the plot that you realized now that you have experienced life. We may have thought about the religious concepts we are studying, but never have we considered them in the context of our marriage to each other.” Andre and Stephanie WHAT THEY SAY: