Why Prepare for Marriage?

We believe the important things in life, the things that demand responsibility, take preparation. You prepare for your careers so you will be successful in your chosen occupations. Through preparation, you minimize the chances for failure. Marriage is no different. You need to prepare for marriage to increase your chances of success in this vocation of love. In today's world, increasing demands and stresses are continually being placed on marriage and the family. It is, therefore, all the more important for you to prepare for the awesome responsibility involved in keeping your love alive and growing.

Another equally important reason is that Marriage in the Catholic Church is a Sacrament, and as such is significantly different from the image of marriage that we see in the world around us. To approach the Church for this Sacrament without an understanding of the demands involved would be a charade.

What is a Marriage Discovery Weekend?

Marriage Discovery is a marriage preparation weekend for engaged couples. It provides time away from the often hectic period preceding your wedding during which you can probe the depth of your relationship and set priorities for your future together. The weekend is designed to give couples the opportunity to dialogue openly, honestly, and intensively about their relationship, their strengths and weaknesses, and their attitudes about their personal faith in relation to their marriage.

What happens on the weekend?

Having an entire weekend away from distractions is most conducive to building a reflective atmosphere and developing self-insight.

A team of trained married couples and the director of the office present ideas from their experience on a number of aspects of married life, such as self-esteem, the nature of love, communication, conflict resolution, sexuality, the Sacrament of Marriage, etc. These presentations are geared to stimulate each participating couple to discuss privately all aspects of married life-always from the viewpoint of their own relationship and lives. There is some group interaction, but the focus will be on personal reflection and couple dialogue, with communal meals and Sunday's Eucharist providing group interaction.

Where?

Transformations: CSJ Spirituality Center, 3427 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI, on the grounds of Nazareth. A map will be provided to you with confirmation of your registration.

When?

Plan to arrive Friday of your scheduled weekend by 6:45 pm. The program will begin promptly at 7:00 pm Friday and goes until 10:00 pm. On Saturday, the session starts at 8:45 am and goes until about 9:00 pm. Sunday starts at 8:15 am and is usually over by 12:30 pm. These ending times are approximate times. Timing depends on group size.

Cost?

$160 per couple (includes food and materials)

Overnight accomodations are available for an additional cost of $90 per person. Bedding and towels are provided. Rooms are double occupancy by gender.

If for some reason you should need to cancel or change your weekend date, we need to know at least two weeks prior to the weekend. Please call (269) 349-8714, ext. 113/110 as soon as you know of the need.

Refund policy

A refund will depend on when you cancel in relation to the date of the weekend. If cancellation is made less than ten days prior to the weekend, there will be no refund unless we are able to get a replacement for you. If you have not phoned in your cancellation, or if we are unable to get a replacement, NO REFUND will be given. In any case, at least a $50.00 clerical service fee will be withheld.

Reservations

Make your reservation as soon as you can by completing and mailing in the registration form with the required fee. Reservations are handled on a first come, first served basis. No reservations are taken by phone or online. Weekends tend to fill up. In order to get on the weekend that best meets your needs, send in the registration form with the fee as soon as possible. We will send you a letter confirming the weekend for which you are scheduled. If your first and second choices are filled, you will be placed in the next available weekend and notified of such. Reservation deadlines are one week before the scheduled weekend.

“The program was a very positive step toward getting to know my future spouse. It is one of the hardest things to do but the rewards were tremendous."

"I knew my fiance loved me, but now I know just how much."

"This weekend touched on multiple topics that will be instrumental in providing a happy married life together."

For further information, please contact:
THE OFFICE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY MINISTRY
8:30am-4:00pm weekdays, at (269) 349-8714 , ext. 113/110
or email: jbodway@dioceseofkalamazoo.org