Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! The first step in planning your wedding is to arrange an appointment at your parish with a priest or deacon. Our hope is that you realize the importance of your role as a future married couple within the Catholic Church community through this process of marriage preparation. Growing in faith, hope and love is a life long process that is essential to a truly happy, holy and lasting marriage. All marriage preparation programs address important aspects of being married in the Catholic tradition.

The vocation of marriage, communication and conflict resolution skills, sexuality are among the topics that are discussed. There is a six- month time period to prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. During the six month timeframe you will attend a marriage preparation program. There are three options of marriage preparation programs to choose from in the Diocese of Lake Charles.

The first is Together for Life which is a day and a half seminar. Day one is held on Saturday at Saint Charles Center in Moss Bluff (2151 Sam Houston Jones Parkway) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The second half-day is on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is held at the Diocese of Lake Charles Chancery (414 Iris St.) in Lake Charles. Registration fee is $100 per couple and includes lunch, snacks, and materials for both days. Classes fill up very quickly so please mail registration at least two months in advance of the desired program dates. Optional: Couples may attend the 11:15 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral prior to the program on Sunday and then proceed to the Chancery following Mass. The second option is attending an “Engaged Encounter Weekend” at Saint Charles Center which begins on a Friday evening and concludes Sunday afternoon. The fee is $190 and includes lodging and meals at the Tabor Retreat House.  The third choice is parish-based which means that some parishes have their own ministry to engaged couples; check with your parish for that option. Contact your parish office for the schedule of dates and the form necessary to register or click on Marriage Preparation Form just below. It is a PDF form that you can download, printout, complete and return.