Marriage Preparation

In the belief of the Catholic Church, when two baptized Christians marry it is the awesome undertaking of a sacramental vocation.  We encourage couples to pray together individually for God’s loving and guiding presence in their relationship.  With any need in praying or knowing the faith of the Church, just ask, we’re here to assist.

A recent study showed that among couples who pray together on a daily basis and attend weekly church services, LESS THAN 2% GET DIVORCED.  Those couples who are religious also report being the happiest in their marriages.  The Church wants nothing more than for a married couple to have a healthy relationship.  Asking couples to attend Mass weekly and to pray together should not be viewed as a “hoop to jump through” in order to get married.  Rather, this is the foundation to build upon for a strong marriage.

But in the end, as Christians we have an obligation to fulfill our covenant relationship with God.  It is God who gives us the Third Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”

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First Step:  Contact one of our parish priests to arrange a meeting to set your wedding date reserve the church and begin your preperations by phone at (517)351-5460. 

Next Step – Registering for Preparation Programs:

We C.A.R.E. Communication And Relationship Enhancement Seminars:
This two-part program is aimed at assisting couples in developing and improving their communication skills. For a pdf file that lists the dates and locations for this program in the greater Lansing area simply click here

The Catholic Information Series for Engaged Couples with an Introduction to Natural Family Planning:
This four-part program offers engaged couples a renewed appreciation of the age-old truth that “the couple that prays together, stays together”. For a pdf file that lists the dates and locations for this program in the greater Lansing area during 2009 simply click here

An Introduction to Natural Family Planning: 
If attendance at The Catholic Information Series is not required for you, then you may need to register for An Introduction to Natural Family Planning.  For a schedule of dates and locations click here

FOCCUS - Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study: 
This pre-marriage inventory is designed to help engaged couples identify their strengths as well as the areas of married life where further discussion would be of benefit to them. You will recieve more information about this program when you meet with one of our parish priests.

Engaged Seminar, Weekend Engaged Encounter, Remarriage Seminar, and/or Full NFP Training:  These programs are optional, or as recommended by the priest or deacon who is guiding you in your marriage preparation.  They offer additional support for success in one's first or second marriage. 

Further Steps:

* Set a Rehearsal Date and Time.

* Marriage License:  A Michigan Marriage License must be issued within the 30-day period prior to the wedding date in order for it to be valid on your wedding day.  If your wedding will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, then contact the Ingham County Clerk’s office for further details. 

* Meet with the priest or deacon officiating at your wedding to discuss the marriage celebration.

* Reflect on God’s truth about marriage by reading the sections of The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Matrimony that are available on the website of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3art7.shtml#i  Here is a brief excerpt:

“The sacrament of Matrimony signifies
the union of Christ and the Church.
It gives spouses the grace to love
each other with the love with which
Christ has loved his Church;
the grace of the sacrament thus
perfects the human love of the spouses,
strengthens their indissoluble unity, and
sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church,
Paragraph 1661