PRE-CANA

          Saint Mary's Pre-Cana

 

                         

                                                     What is Pre-Cana

The parish provides guidance to couples preparing for marriage. Various forms of meetings are offered which are known as Pre-Cana. Basically, married couples and a priest share with the engaged couples their insights into marriage as a sacred institution that requires sacrifices. They speak from their experiences.
 

 

Prayer for Engaged Couples

Thank You Lord, for this wonderful gift of our love, which already has brought us so much joy. Grant that we may continue to love; reverently, patiently, generously --- seeing you in each other.

Guide us to continue to discover each other, that our understanding and compassion may deepen and mature. Teach us to forget ourselves and live for and in each other, that we may truly become one.

In the hurried days of final preparation, grant us the calmness to reflect upon the sacramental moment when you will seal and sanctify our promises, binding us together in profound intimacy forever.

Grant us the insight to realize that soon our unique love will be caught up and transformed into your boundless love. Then we will no longer be merely a young man or woman in love---but husband and wife, an image of Christ and His Church, with a special right to supernatural help, and special commission to create love in each other, in our children, and in the family of God. In joy or sorrow, in richness or poverty, in sickness and in health---may our love grow into your Divine Love till death do us part. Amen.

Theology of Marriage

Catholic Christians believe that marriage is an intimate partnership of life and love.
 

Marriage was created by God to be a permanent union of man and woman...an unbreakable bond.
 

God has made a covenant with us - a sacred promise of faithfulness that will never be broken.
 

In marriage, YOU are the primary sacrament or symbol of God's covenant.
 

Sacramental marriage is not simply a private event in the lives of two people; it is a transforming event for the entire Christian community.

Details

Pre-Cana meetings are usually held on three consecutive Sundays for approximately 3 hours each session. Topics such as Marriage as a Sacrament, Roles of Husband and Wife, Communication, Romance, Finance, In-Laws, Children, Religion, are reviewed for marriage preparation. Please contact the rectory at least a year in advance of your wedding date.

   Cost

The cost is $50.00 per couple payable to St. Mary's Parish. Please contact the rectory to set up an appointment with your priest and fill out a FOCCUS registration form. If you have any questions, contact Darlene Golinski at 973-627-7957 or Darlene41@gmail.com