St. Pius X offers the Sponsor Couple approach to marriage preparation for engaged couples.
In this "like-to-like" ministry, one experienced and well-trained married couple meets, in their own home, with one or more engaged couples. They agree to gather together for several sessions (usually five) to develop the engaged couple's understanding of Christian marriage and increase their awareness of each other's values and attitudes.
The Sponsor Couple and engaged couple work together to deepen spirituality, improve communication and conflict resolution, and increase appreciation of human sexuality and family life.
Other forms of Marriage Preparation are offered by the Archdiocese of Baltimore (410-547-5417). These include Pre-Cana and Engaged Encounter.
The Sponsor Couple, trained by the Archdiocese, administers a pre-marriage inventory to facilitate communication (FOCCUS) and discusses the results with the engaged couple, tailoring marriage preparation to meet the specific needs and concerns of the couple.
The engaged couple benefits from the mentoring relationship they experience with their Sponsor Couple, who model to them Catholic marriage and family life.
The Sponsor Couple benefits from continued insight into their own marriage, as they share with others life's experiences and love's responses.
The parish also benefits, strengthening family life and building community by offering personalized ministry to the engaged through its Sponsor Couples.
The topical discussions between the couples will be tailored to the specific strengths and needs of the engaged couple. We hope this personalized preparation will assist you in building a loving, lasting marriage in the Lord.
SPONSOR COUPLE ASSIGNMENTS--
HOW IT WORKS
The ENGAGED COUPLE contacts the clergy for an initial meeting at least six months prior to the wedding date. The Sponsor Couple process is discussed.
After the initial meeting, the PRIEST or DEACON contacts the Parish Coordinator and requests assignment of a Sponsor Couple for the engaged couple. Careful consideration is given to this assignment, based on the special strengths and needs of the engaged couple.
The PARISH COORDINATOR assigns and contacts the Sponsor Couple. The SPONSOR COUPLE contacts the engaged couple. They introduce themselves, and set a date and time for the first session.
Materials to assist the couples will include workbooks, family planning information, budget worksheets, and FOCCUS. The Sponsor Couple will share their own stories and experiences of Christian married life.
