July 21, 2006

Fall Marriage Supplement

Programs help couples prepare for marriage

Couples planning to be married in the Catholic Church are required to participate in a marriage preparation class on the parish or diocesan level.

Marriage preparation classes include one-day Pre Cana Conferences, Tobit Weekends and parish-based mentoring with sponsor couples and priests.

Pre Cana Conferences are scheduled on a Sunday afternoon each month, except in September, November and December, at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E. 56th St., in Indianapolis, to help engaged couples prepare for the sacrament of marriage.

Pre Cana programs are scheduled on Aug. 6 and Oct. 22 as well as Jan. 28, Feb. 18, March 4, March 25, April 15, April 29, May 20, June 3, July 22, Aug. 5 and Oct. 21.

The program is sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Family Ministries. The fee of $30 per couple includes the workbook Perspectives on Marriage and a light lunch.

The Tobit Weekend also is held at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House from 7 p.m. on Friday until 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The fee is $280 per couple.

Tobit Weekends are scheduled on Sept. 15-17, Oct. 20-22 and Nov. 3-5 as well as Jan. 12-14, Feb. 2-4, April 13-15, May 18-20, June 15-17, July 20-22, Sept. 14-16 and Nov. 2-4.

(For information about the Pre Cana Conference, call the archdiocesan Office of Family Ministries at 317-236-1596 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1596. For information about the Tobit Weekend, call Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House at 317-545-7681.) †

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