Family Life Bureau -
Ministry to Engaged Couples / Marriage Preparation

• Diocesan Policy (coming soon...)

• Letter to Engaged Couples from Bishop Michael Saltarelli (coming soon...)

• The Three Stages of Marriage Preparation
• Marriage preparation in the Diocese of Wilmington is a three-stage effort, ideally involving a couple in a year-long process:
• Stage I: Pastoral sessions with a priest, deacon, or pastoral minister.
• Stage II: Information and skill-building sessions in one of the following regional programs: Pre-Cana, Engaged Encounter, or Remarriage Program. (Programs are coordinated by the Family Life Bureau Staff.)
• Stage III: Small group formational sessions, with a married couple at one's parish.

• Registration Form for Regional Programs (Stage II) (coming soon...)
• For Stages I and III, contact parish.

• Stage II Programs (Regional Programs coordinated and facilitated by marriage specialists at sites throughout the Diocese): each couple should choose one of the three programs listed below:
• Pre-Cana:
• Programs are scheduled throughout the Diocese.
• Topics include theology and spirituality of marriage; love (erotic, friendship, unconditional commitment); sexuality and sensuality; communication and conflict resolution; PREPARE (individual couple profiles); and family of origin issues.
• Schedule of Program (Dates, Times, Places) and Registration Form (coming soon...)
• Remarriage:
• This Program is scheduled in Wilmington.
• Topics include those covered in Pre-Cana, as well as issues from previous marital relationships, and stepfamilies.
• Schedule of Program (Dates, Times, Places) and Registration Form (coming soon...)
• Engaged Encounter
• A weekend retreat (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) in Wilmington.
• Topics include those covered in Pre-Cana.
• Schedule of Program (Dates, Times, Places) and Registration Form (coming soon...)