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| What is Catholic Engaged Encounter?
Catholic Engaged Encounter is a community of married couples and priests who volunteer their time and talents to help engaged couples prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. What is an Engaged Encounter Weekend? The Weekend is designed to give couples planning marriage an opportunity for an intensive and honest look at their commitment to one another and their strengths and weaknesses as a couple. The Weekend offers the couple an opportunity to discuss their desires, ambitions, goals, attitudes about time, sex, children, family and their roles in the church and society in a private and non-judgemental environment. Who is the Weekend for? It is for engaged couples who desire to deepen, develop and enrich their lives together. Although the Engaged Encounter Weekend is Catholic in origin and orientation, it is open to all couples who are searching for enrichment in the quality of their coming married life regardless of their faith backgrounds. For couples marrying in a Catholic church, this Weekend will fulfill diocesan requirements for marriage preparation. Please check with your priest for additional marriage preparation requirements. Do you have to be Catholic to attend? No, you do not have to be Catholic to attend the Weekend. Although the Weekend is designed for couples planning to be married in the Catholic Church, it is open to all couples of any faith. The Weekend is especially beneficial and supporting of couples from differing faith backgrounds. What happens on the Weekend? The Weekend is comprised of presentations given by married couples and a priest who share personally from their own experiences. The couple is encouraged to discuss privately with each other all aspects of their upcoming married life. The Weekend is not a counseling session nor will you be required to share with the "group". Rather it is a private experience in a quiet and informal setting. Personal reflection and couple dialogue are the main emphasis of the weekend. How do we get on a Weekend? Weekends are held throughout the year in the San Joaquin Valley area. To attend a weekend, please fill out the Registration form and mail it with your non-refundable deposit. A Weekend Confirmation and additional information about the Weekend will be sent after your application is received. When should we go on our Weekend? We recommend you attend your Weekend six months prior to your wedding date. Where are the Weekends held? All Weekends are held at the beautiful St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers, CA, located approximately 30 minutes east of Visalia near the entrance to Sequoia National Park. What is the schedule of the Weekend? The weekend begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and ends at approximately 3:00 pm on Sunday. Your attendance for the entire weekend is required as the information you receive and your personal sharings as a couple build on each other throughout the Weekend. How much does the Weekend cost? The cost of the Weekend is $275 per couple. This includes separate overnight accommodations for men and women, meals, and all Weekend materials. If you cannot afford the cost of the Weekend, Please contact Deanna Driscoll at (559) 265-3365 to discuss arrangements. No couple wishing to attend a Weekend has every been turned away due to inability to pay. Note: Reservations must be accompanied by a non-refundable $75 deposit. Rescheduling is possible up to 10 days prior to your reserved Weekend. If you do not attend your reserved Weekend and have not rescheduled 10 days prior to your Weekend, the full cost of $275 will be required to reschedule another Weekend. Can I give a Weekend as a gift? Yes, the Weekend makes a perfect wedding or shower gift from caring relatives or friends. To arrange a gift, please complete and print the Gift Form. Send the Gift form and your payment to the address at the bottom of the form. A gift certificate will be sent to your intended recipient. |
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