marriage preparation

conferences for the engaged

“‘Just as of old God encountered his people with a covenant of love and fidelity, so our Savior, the spouse of the Church, now encounters Christian spouses through the sacrament of Matrimony.’ Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their crosses and so follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another's burdens, to ‘be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ,’ and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love. In the joys of their love and family life he gives them here on earth a foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

– Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1642

REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND

The Arlington Catholic Diocese requires 6 months of marriage preparation. Your initial contact with your parish priest begins this period of preparation. The diocese requires that each couple attend a marriage preparation conference such as a Conference for the Engaged (CFE Program). The CFE program is open to couples, one of whom is registered in a parish in the Arlington diocese, even if the wedding will take place outside of the diocese. Couples who are not registered with a parish in the Arlington diocese will be admitted to the CFE program on a space-available basis. You must currently be meeting with a priest/deacon for marriage preparation in order to register for a conference. Registrations may take up to three weeks to process, and conferences fill-up quickly, so please register as soon as possible.

CFE FORMAT

The conference is a one-day workshop designed to stimulate reflection and discussion on key aspects of marriage and family life. Presentations will be offered by married couples, priests, and counselors, and include such topics as: marriage as a sacrament, communication, marital intimacy, natural family planning, parenting, and the Church and Christian family. Registration begins at 8:30am, and all conferences conclude by 4pm. (Interested couples are also welcome to attend the 8am optional Mass.) A certificate of completion is given to the couple at the end of the conference. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

SECOND UNIONS

If you or your future spouse have had a previous union, we offer conferences with a component designed specifically to address some of the challenges that couples entering a second union will face. A second union is a marriage in which one or both partners have been widowed or received a declaration of nullity with freedom to marry from the Catholic Church.

LOCATION

All conferences are held at Our Lady of Good Counsel located at 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA 22182. An optional Mass is held at 8:00am in the church and is followed by the conference in the Multipurpose Room.

REGISTRATION

Print and complete the PDF registration form below. Be sure to indicate your top 2 choices for conference dates. If you are a second union couple, you must choose only conference dates that include a second union component. Send the completed registration form along with a check for the appropriate amount to the address on the form. Make checks payable to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. A completed registration form and the appropriate registration fee must be received before your registration will be processed. If you change your address after submitting the registration be sure to advise the Office for Family Life. Registrations may take up to three weeks to process, and conferences fill-up quickly, so please register as soon as possible. No phone/e-mail/fax/credit card registrations can be accepted.

Registration Form for Conference for the Engaged

COST

The fee to attend a conference is $85 for in-diocese couples. The fee is $100 for those attending from outside the Diocese of Arlington. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration fees are transferable but not refundable. Please pay with check or money order. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Please contact the Office for Family Life for more details.

CONFIRMATION OF REGISTRATION

After we receive your registration form and check, a confirmation letter will be mailed to the person indicated on your registration form. Approximately two weeks prior to the conference for which you are registered, you will receive a welcome letter with further details and directions. 

CONFERENCE FOR THE ENGAGED 2010 DATES

The following dates are still available unless otherwise noted.

Inclement Weather Policy

March 27 2010 **FULL**
April 10 2010 (Second Union included) **FILLING QUICKLY**
April 24 2010  **FILLING QUICKLY**
May 8 2010
May 22 2010
June 19 2010 (Second Union included)
July 17 2010
August 7 2010
September 18 2010 (Second Union included)
October 23 2010
November 6 2010 (Second Union included)
December 11 2010

All conferences are held on Saturdays at

Our Lady of Good Counsel

8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA 22182