Family Life

FOR THE ENGAGED … PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE IN THE DIOCESE OF BUFFALO

We, the members of the Catholic community wish to congratulate you on your decision to be married in the Church.  Christian marriage is a gift and calling.  Marriage is a challenge but the call to grow together in love is ever present.  Know you are held in thought and prayer.

The Office of the Family Life Ministries recommends the use of the resource, “Perspectives on Marriage” (1998 edition) adaptable on the parochial, regional or vicariate level.  This can be used individually with a sponsor couple, in a group gathering for at least three (3) evenings or a one (1) day session.  Each format is geared toward 8 ½ hours altogether.  Topics include communication, conflict resolution, family of origin, marital roadblocks, sacramental commitment and spirituality and much more.  This is a program designed to train couples to facilitate a precana.  IT IS NOT FOR THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED.  Training using the Perspectives program is necessary for couples invited to become a sponsor team couple by their priest or deacon.  It is available on a bi-monthly ba sis from September to May or can be done at a parish or vicariate level upon request.  Please contact your Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.     

SPECIAL NEEDS:  If an individual has a disability requiring consideration, e.g. learning disability, deafness, mental disability or if one is not capable of understanding the English language well or speaks a foreign language, the larger group one day program would not work well.  Contact the Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 for suggestions or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

PREMARITAL COUNSELING:  Open to all couples who are interested in examining their relationship.  The y may be experiencing difficulties or may wish to explore their similarities and differences with a professional who specializes in counseling for couples.  Topics can include: coping with children from a partner’s previous marriage or relationship; learning to communicate; dealing with finances; dealing with in-laws.  Counseling is available to persons with special needs; pregnancy; when one or both partners are under the age of 18, or if there are concerns about any type of abuse.  Premarital Counseling is also offered whenever a priest or deacon sees a need for further assessment or intervention.  Contact Catholic Charities Marriage Counseling Center directly at 839-4406.

Family Life works in collaboration with other marriage preparation programs.  The se include Catholic Engaged Encounter, Journey Into Love, parish-based programs and marriage preparation on-line.    

Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend designed for couples who are preparing for marriage.  This weekend fulfills the marriage preparation requirements of the Diocese of Buffalo.  The dates for 2008 are:

All weekends will be held at Christ The King Seminary in East Aurora , NY .  For more information call Mike and Sue Maute at 685-2114 or e-mail msmauste@verizon.com.  For a brochure contact your Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

Journey Into Love is marriage preparation program that is designed for couples where both individuals are marrying for the first time.  It is a 6½ hour, one day program that uses presentations offered by trained team couples.  Engaged couples use various communication exercises focusing on such areas as dynamics of effective communication; intimacy; marital roadblocks; natural family planning; serious issues which include money; drugs and alcohol; gambling and any type of abuse; Inter-religious spirituality insights and more.  Program includes dinner and prayer service.  The program is held monthly at St. Columban Center in Derby .  The dates for 2008 are: 

For more information and registration, contact St. Columban Center at 947-4708. 

Three Saturday Journey Into Love Programs are available at the Center of Renewal , Stella Niagara.  The dates are:

For more information and to register call your Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

Resources for couples unable to attend traditional marriage preparation classes are available.

Catholic Marriage Preparation on-line information.  Contact Christian and Christine Meert at (toll free) 1-866-425-7193.  To register online go to http://www.CatholicMarriagePrep.com.  This program allows flexibility for couples with difficult work schedules or for those who live in different states or countries.  Topics covered include God’s plan for humanity, the Sacrament of Marriage, Natural Family Planning, The ology of the Body, the Rite of Marriage and areas of relationship.  All this and more.  This marriage preparation program is currently translated and available in French and Spanish as well as English.  For a brochure, call your Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

CANA II is a marriage preparation program designed for couples where at least one person was previously married and who are now free to marry again by reason of a Church annulment or death of one’s spouse.  This peer ministry program is given by a trained remarriage team primarily on a couple to couple ba sis .  The resource utilized “A Redeemed State” deals with critical issues that include step-parenting, multiple sets of in-laws, and the challenges of blending families.  Registration completed on an individual ba sis by contacting your Office of Family Life Ministries at 847-2210 or e-mail us at familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

REGARDING THE PLACE OF MARRIAGE:  In Accord with the custom of the Diocese of Buffalo, Catholic weddings are to be celebrated primarily in parish churches.  Since the parish church is the “spiritual home” of the family of God, where life-giving sacraments are normally celebrated and since the parish is the heart of sacramental life and ministry, weddings in non-sacred places (gardens, parks, beaches, hotels, etc.) are prohibited.  Also weddings in high school chapels, religious houses and oratories that are not attached to a parish are not permitted.