Marriage

Congratulations on your quest for a Christian marriage!  Christ consecrated the sacrament of Marriage at the wedding in Cana and through his teachings of the permanent union between a man and a woman.  Those seeking marriage in the Church should contact the parish office at least six months in advance in order to meet the necessary requirements. The Archdiocese of Dubuque requires a marriage preparation program before a couple may be married. Pre-Cana and Engaged Encounters are held regularly within the Archdiocese. St. Joseph Parish offers a Sponsor Couple Program of marriage preparation. Please contact the parish office at 319-377-4869 for further information and to make an initial appointment with one of the priests or the pastoral associate.

Sponsor Couple Program
The Sponsor Couple Program provides marriage preparation for engaged couples. The main role of the sponsor couple is to share their own experience of Christian marriage with the engaged couple. This is done in five sessions using the book, "When Families Marry,"  or "For Better and Forever" which facilitates sharing in a number of areas.  Contact:  St. Joseph Parish, 319-377-4869.

Engaged Encounter
This weekend is an adaptation of the original Marriage Encounter, the START of the process of union. It is built on the balance of couple dialogue and couple spirituality, presented through the life experience of married couples. By the team’s sharing, another model is presented to the young couple other than their own experience of their parents.  Contact: the parish or the Archdiocesan Family Life Office, 319-556-2580.

Pre-Cana
This is a pre-marriage preparation program offered regionally throughout the year. Contact the parish or the Cedar Rapids Deanery Directors: Pat and Sandy Murphy, 319-365-9839 for Pre-Cana dates and locations.

In the quest to keep a strong Christian marriage, the following renewals are offered:

• National Marriage Encounter
  Marriage Encounter is a marriage enrichment program developed by Fr. Gabriel Calvo. It gives the participating couples a weekend to get away from everyday pressures in order to concentrate on enhancing their relationship through personal reflection and couple dialogue. The weekend is facilitated by a team of married couples and clergy. Once encountered the Marriage Encounter community offers opportunities for further family enrichment.  Contact:  Archdiocesan Family Life Office, 319-556-2580.
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter
  The Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend is a positive and personal experience for a couple, which offers them a technique of loving communication that can be used for the rest of their lives. It is a Catholic expression open to all happily married couples which gives them the opportunity to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It is a weekend that is put on by three Catholic couples and a Catholic priest. Contact:  Contact Larry and Judy Bowers, 319-377-5143.