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Saint Clare Parish 714 Myrth Avenue Essex, Maryland 21221
WHAT MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE ARCHDIOCESE? REMARRIAGE PREPARATION The Remarriage Preparation Program is recommended for couples where one or both have been previously married. It makes no difference whether the previous marriage was in the Catholic Church, ended in death or annulment, was contracted by or with a Catholic, was a short term or long term relationship, or whether a formal annulment is required. In any case, the Remarriage Preparation program is recommended. From statistics that come through the Marriage Preparation and Enrichment office, we find if only one person has been married previously, and there were never any children born into that relationship, divorce rate in a second marriage jumps to 60% (as compared to 50% for first time couples). If one or both have been married previously and there were ever any children born into that union (whether they are in the home, outside the home, young or adult) the divorce rate in a second marriage jumps to 68%. The Remarriage Preparation Program is meant to help couples take an objective look at some of the issues that can arise in this new relationship, and prepare them to avoid some of the pitfalls. The discussion is around issues that can impact this relationship not about the former spouse. The Remarriage program consists of six two-hour sessions and can be completed in a small group process of three or four couples, or in a parish based format. A trained couple who is in a remarriage situation leads these programs. If you are interested finding out more about the Remarriage Preparation Program, please contact, Carol Augustine, Division of Religious Education, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, call (410) 547-5417.
SPONSOR COUPLE PROGRAM The Sponsor Couple Program is a parish based marriage preparation process. One married couple, trained by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, works with one engaged couple from their parish. The program consists of five, two-hour sessions in the married couple's home. The FOCCUS Marriage Instrument, which provides individualized couple feedback on where each partner stands in regard to important marriage topics, is used to direct the discussion in the marriage preparation process. If you are interested in finding out if your parish has a Sponsor Couple Program, please contact: Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, call (410) 547-5417. ENGAGED ENCOUNTER Engaged Encounter utilizes a dynamic process based on listening, writing and dialogue. The process encourages the engaged couple to concentrate on building a relationship. The weekend extends from 7:30 p.m. Friday evening to approximately 4:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Free from the pressures and distraction of daily living, the couple has the opportunity to concentrate exclusively on each other, while examining the essential issues they will encounter within the marriage relationship. The design of the Weekend encourages the couples to explore mutual strengths and weaknesses, goals, aspirations and attitudes concerning family life, children, sexuality, finances, the church and society.A team of two married couples and a priest facilitate and guide the Weekend. Team presentations involve personal sharing on marriage and family issues. The team encourages the couple to become involved in a period of discovery. The cost of the Weekend as of January 2001, will be $225.00, which includes lodging, meals, and all instructional materials. However, no couple should let money prevent them from attending the encounter weekend. Arrangements can be made on an individual basis if the couple or the parish cannot afford the expense. Many couples have made Weekends as wedding gifts from either family or friends. Please call 410-879-0496 for information and registration. |