Marriage Preparation

Getting Started

MARRIAGE PREP BOOKLET  This booklet will introduce you to the Marriage Prep process at St. Mary Magdalen.

MARRIAGE PLANNING BOOKLET w/Readings  This booklet has choices of readings for the wedding liturgy as well as helpful information for planning the ceremony.

Links to Marriage Preparation Classes

Communication Classes
A LASTING PROMISE
This seminar focuses on how to communicate what you want out of your relationship, how to resolve conflict effectively and reduce arguments, solving problems as a team, how to keep friendship and intimacy a part of your relationship, and how to develop skills to enhance the understanding and maintain commitment. Other key topics include values, beliefs, and expectations. Click here for  the  2025 schedule and registration.

Natural Family Planning Classes

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING INTRO (Required)
Introduction to NFP (Natural Family Planning): This introduction is required for all engaged couples who are getting married in the diocese. It is different from method-specific introductions and cannot be replaced by any other program. To help assist everyone in attending this, the Diocese of Lansing provides this introduction both in-person and Online and does not charge anyone to attend. Click here to register.
 

Advanced Natural Family Planning Class (NFP) - 2 Sympto-Thermal

These are for Married & Engaged couples (counts for marriage prep requirement).
Zoom Class: May 21, June 11 & July 16 6:30-9:30pm
In person class in Saline, MI: Sept. 17, Oct. 15 & Nov. 12 1:30-4:30pm
Please contact Kelly at [email protected] to register for either class. 

Encounter Opportunities

ENCOUNTER RETREAT
St. Mary Magdalen offers the Encounter Retreat as an option for fulfilling the Encounter portion of the Marriage Catechumenate process.
Upcoming Encounter Retreats are:

• June 21-22, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER
Is a weekend retreat that covers a comprehensive range of topics relating to sacramental marriage. Couples who choose this encounter option also can use it as credit for the Communications course.

The next Catholic Engaged Encounter is July 20-21, 2024 at Bethany House in Dewitt. 

For more information or to register, click HERE

KERYGMA ENCOUNTER
As part of the New Marriage Catechumenate, the Diocese is offering Kerygma Encounter Retreats as an option for fulfilling the Encounter portion of the Marriage Catechumenate process. 

Each Kerygma Encounter Day will begin with doors opening at 8:30am for registration, etc. The program will begin at 9:00am and the retreat will end by 3:30pm. Coffee and light snack fare will be offered by the parish host sites but lunch will not be provided, so please bring your own brown bag lunch.

KERYGMA ENCOUNTER RETREATS FOR 2024:

• Saturday, September 30, 2023 at St. Joseph, Howell

• Saturday, May 4, 2024 at St. Joseph, Howell

To register, please contact the hosting parish.