Marriage Preparation

The following components are required of all couples who are being married at St. John the Evangelist Parish or who are being prepared for marriage by one of our parish clergy.

1. Initial Inquiry Meeting  Your first step is to meet with one of our priests and determine your eligibility for marriage and review the marriage preparation process. The meeting must be held at least six (6) months prior to your intended wedding date. All couples being married at St. John’s or being prepared for marriage by one of our priests or deacons must complete this initial inquiry meeting, even if you plan to have a visiting clergy member preside at your wedding or if you intend to be married at a location other than St. John’s. You may schedule your appointment with a priest by calling the parish office at 419-695-4050.

2. Meetings with Clergy  You will meet several times with the priest or deacon who will preside over your wedding ceremony. The number of meetings and content of meetings will be determined using the FOCCUS couple inventory. You will be provided with information about this at your initial meeting.

3. Engaged Couple Retreat  Couples are required to participate in a 2-day “Joy Filled Marriage Workshop” retreat offered by the Diocese of Toledo.  You may take part in this workshop on any date and at any location within the diocese.  If couples are living outside of the Diocese of Toledo, you will be provided with alternative options at your initial inquiry meeting. To see available dates, visit www.dioceseoftoledo.org/marriage-preparation 

4. Natural Family Planning Course  Couples are required to take part in a Natural Family Planning Course. This course enables couples to make informed decisions about their fertility together and plan their family in a way that honors both body and soul. Most couples participate in a course through the Couple to Couple League (CCL) which teaches the sympto-thermal method of Natural Family Planning. The CCL course takes three months to complete (three classes spaced one month apart). Couples may also elect to take a course in another method of natural family planning (Creighton, Marquette, etc.) Jeff & Bridget Bockey coordinate the Natural Family Planning courses in our parish.