The Marriage Preparation Process is necessary to seek marriage in the Catholic Church.

For couples planning to marry in the Catholic Church, please contact St. Joseph Parish at least six to nine months before your anticipated wedding date to begin the marriage preparation process. Please note, that only the Pastor will discuss and confirm any dates and will only discuss details with the couple.

Parishioners will be given priority over any dates. Outside professional wedding coordinators are not necessary inside the church as the parish provides one to help coordinate the wedding rehearsal and the wedding itself. 
 

Step #1 - Contact St. Joseph Parish before booking your venue. The Church should be the priority. During your first meeting with our Pastor, you will review the following:

• Meet and greet the Pastor
• Fill out the Pre-Wedding Form once you have an appointment with the Pastor (righthand side)
• Complete the pre-nuptial forms required (A-form)
• Speak about wedding fees (Preist, Wedding Coordinator, Cantor, Organist, and Facilities)
• Prepare to obtain baptismal certificates (to be dated no more than 6 months before the wedding)
• Schedule and confirm the wedding date. This should be done before your secure the venue. 

Step #2 - Administration of a pre-marital inventory - FOCCUS

• The purpose of a premarital inventory is to help reveal the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship. Inventories are not "tests" you pass or fail. Inventories are not something you can prepare or study for. An inventory is simply a "snap-shot" of your relationship the moment you take it. The value of a premarital inventory is not just in taking it, but in the conversations, you will enter into after you take it and during the facilitated or review sessions that follow it.

Step #3 - Register for a Marriage Preparation Seminar (JFM) or Pre-Cana course for the engaged, see below for current dates. However, during Covid-19 you may choose one of the online options listed below or if the in-person class is full. 
 

Joy-Filled Marriage Weekends or On-Line Marriage Pre-Cana (Choose One):

The Marriage Group - Online Marriage Preparation & Enrichment Courses
 

The Marriage Group - Online Marriage Pr...

Catholic Marriage Prep - Pre-Cana Online

In-Person Marriage Pre-Cana:

Dates for Joy-Filled Marriage Seminar (JFM) weekends: See below in the next section. 
 

Please inform the parish office of what preparation you are planning on completing. 

Step #4 An introduction Session to the natural way (God's plan) for planning a family- NOTE: You may register directly with one of the NFP instructors listed here if you are choosing to do it in person. Online will have that incorporated within the course or you may have to take a separate course by the same company. 

Step #5 - Plan the Wedding Liturgy, work with the wedding coordinator of the parish, and pay all fees. 

• Meet with the parish priest to plan the liturgy for your wedding ceremony.

• Marriage between two Catholics is normally celebrated during Mass
• Marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic may be celebrated inside or outside the Mass
• Marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptized person is celebrated within the Liturgy of the Word

A marriage formation weekend for engaged couples. The Joy-Filled Marriage process is a comprehensive marriage preparation program rooted in virtues as well as the Theology of the Body. The program incorporates rich Catholic theology with sound psychology. 

2023 Dates:

MAY 6-7
JUNE 10-11 (in Spanish)
SEPTEMBER 16-17

To register, visit diokzoo.org/marriage-preparation