Marriage Preparation

Congratulations on your engagement!  The Emmaus Pastorate is honored to help you prepare to enter into marriage and receive the Sacrament of Matrimony!  Please contact your parish office (see your parish's contact page for information) or the Emmaus Pastorate office at St. Mark Parish (563-928-7200) for more information and to begin the 6-12 month wedding preparation process.

Each couple seeking marriage in the Emmaus Pastorate is asked to complete the following:

1. Make an appointment with the pastor to complete premarriage forms.
2. Confirm your wedding date by remitting a $40 preparation fee, which covers all materials for the couple.
3. Register in a parish, or make arrangements to join one.
4. Worship regurlarly on Sundays, or make an effort to begin.
5. Meet with the pastor and liturgy director to prepare the wedding liturgy.
6. Take the FOCCUS readiness inventory.
7. Register for and attend either a Pre-Cana Conference or an Engaged Encounter.
8. Participate in the Sponsor Couple Program.
9. Obtain and submit baptismal certificates for each party from his/her parish of Baptism.

Whether you're preparing for marriage or you've been married for many years, Natural Family Planning is for you!  NFP is the general title for the scientific, natural, and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancy. 

Visit our NFP page for more information!