Couples considering marriage at St. John the Beloved parish must contact the pastor at least one year in advance of a possible date for the sacrament.  

Attendance in Pre-Cana Classes and Stage Three Sponsor Couple Program areboth required.

Marriage as vocation. 

The Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes and Pope John Paul II's Familiaris Consortio remind us that the way to holiness for a couple is through their vocation of marriage. "Filled with the spirit of Christ they grow in holiness and give glory to God together." Marriage could possibly be called the model vocation, as in their married life the couple is called to mirror the way Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25) and be a sign of this for the whole community. 

Not only the couple, but "the Christian family, reflecting and sharing in the covenant of love between Christ and the Church should show to all, the living presence of Christ and the real nature of the Church. The family will do this "through the mutual love of husband and wife, their generosity in giving life, their unity and faithfulness, and by the loving way in which all the members of the family work together." 

Like any vocation, this of course isn't easy. It demands sacrifice, great virtue and prayer. Couples are called to take part in a renewal of married life, to instruct young people about marriage and to give good example so that their children will more easily find the path to holiness.

ENGAGED ENCOUNTER (PRE-CANA CONFERENCES)
For couples preparing for marriage in the community of faith.  Marriage preparation has three parts:

1. Meeting with the parish priest.
2. Participation in the diocesan sponsored Pre-Cana program or an Engaged Encounter
3. Meeting with a married couple from the parish (Stage Three Sponsor Couple Program)

The programs are designed to assist the couple in learning more about themselves, their partner and their relationship.
 
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
Marriage Encounter is open to all married couples that want to enhance their relationship with a communication technique of sharing their feelings, hopes, fears, frustrations and joys.  Marriage Encounter weekends are offered four times a year throughout the Diocese.  
For more information visit WWME website at  http://www.wwme-delmar.org
or call Barney & Kathy Bellard at 302-239-2571, or e-mail them at ktbellard@verizon.net
 
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
A series of four sessions to teach fertility awareness to married or engaged couples. The class teaches the natural signs of fertility to space children or to achieve pregnancy. Classes are scheduled as needed and taught on an individual basis.