Congratulations on your engagement!
When both spouses are baptized, they mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. The Church in Western Oregon requires that couples take at least six months to prepare for their lifelong journey as a married couple. This period allows them to grow in an understanding of what they are undertaking through careful discussions with a minister of the church and other married couples.
Who is Eligible?
A couple is eligible for marriage preparation through St. Thomas More University Parish if at least one fiancé is Catholic
and is either (1) a registered & active member of the Newman Center, or (2) a student, faculty, or employee of the University of Oregon. If you are not eligible, please first contact the local Catholic parish in which you reside.
What is the Preparation Process?
Here is a general overview of the preparation process.
How do I Begin the Process?
When both spouses are baptized, they mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. The Church in Western Oregon requires that couples take at least six months to prepare for their lifelong journey as a married couple. This period allows them to grow in an understanding of what they are undertaking through careful discussions with a minister of the church and other married couples.
Who is Eligible?
A couple is eligible for marriage preparation through St. Thomas More University Parish if at least one fiancé is Catholic
and is either (1) a registered & active member of the Newman Center, or (2) a student, faculty, or employee of the University of Oregon. If you are not eligible, please first contact the local Catholic parish in which you reside.
What is the Preparation Process?
Here is a general overview of the preparation process.
- Marriage preparation begins with making an appointment to meet with a priest. This first appointment should be made at least six months before you plan to get married. Together, a review of the sacrament, paperwork, and a FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) inventory will be conducted. The initial meeting generally takes about one hour. Please don’t put down deposits on reception venues until you have met with a priest to establish the date of your marriage.
- The engaged couple will meet with the Priest to review their FOCCUS results to open dialogue on areas of agreement and disagreement surrounding many different aspects of the married life.
- Attend the Engaged Encounter Weekend Retreat with the Archdiocese of Portland, or another approved marriage preparation retreat.
- The Wedding Coordinator will meet with the couple to plan the actual wedding ceremony and other details of the wedding day.
How do I Begin the Process?
Other Resources: Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an incredible resource for married couples, especially Catholics. Natural Family Planning International has been teaching NFP for over 48 years. The course includes instruction on the Covenant Theology of Marriage, Ecological Breastfeeding, Sympto-Thermal charting, and Christian prudence.
An email from one of their recent students wrote: "We truly knew nothing about natural family planning before this manual and these tests. Even though I consider myself a practicing Catholic, I was completely unaware of the church’s viewpoints on natural family planning matters beside abstinence. After this course, we have gained knowledge on options available for family planning."
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an incredible resource for married couples, especially Catholics. Natural Family Planning International has been teaching NFP for over 48 years. The course includes instruction on the Covenant Theology of Marriage, Ecological Breastfeeding, Sympto-Thermal charting, and Christian prudence.
An email from one of their recent students wrote: "We truly knew nothing about natural family planning before this manual and these tests. Even though I consider myself a practicing Catholic, I was completely unaware of the church’s viewpoints on natural family planning matters beside abstinence. After this course, we have gained knowledge on options available for family planning."