“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” –Mark 10:6-9.

We at St. Patrick’s and St. Thomas Aquinas want to congratulate you as you begin to prepare for your wedding. Entering into marriage is entering into a new way of life. Especially important is the need to pray together as husband and wife and as a family in years to come. We are certain the adage coined by Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. in the 1940s still holds true today, “the family that prays together stays together.”
St. Paul called marriage “the great sacrament” and saw it as a sign for the love that Jesus has for His Church. We know that marriage can be a source of great joy, great pleasure, and great growth; but it also brings life-long responsibilities and obligations. We hope to help you in your preparation to receive this sacrament. Please contact the Rectory for more information and to begin planning your special day which begins a lifetime together. We require at least six months notice before the wedding.

PreCana

PreCana is a required program for all engaged couples prior to their wedding. The session may be attended either at our parish or another church. St. Patrick typically offers a one-day session for couples. Call the Rectory for more information and to plan your special day.

Prepare/Enrich

This is an additional program offered in our area to increase the preparation received by engaged couples. Prepare/Enrich assesses your relationship on constructs show to be important for healthy relationships, creating awareness and dialogue around these areas. A trained facilitator will guide you through your results, highlighting relationship strengths and using those strengths and skill-building exercises to grow areas that are not yet strengths. This process encourages heart-to-heart conversations that are key to understanding your partner and developing a deeper, healthier relationship. For more information, visit prepare-enrich.com or call 651-635-0511.

Retrouville

This program offers a chance for reconciliation and renewed understanding between married couples who are currently struggling in their relationship. This program is offered two- or three times a year to strengthen the holy bonds of marriage between loving spouses.