Spring Marriage Supplement
Pre-Cana Retreats, Tobit Weekend and One in Christ program prepare engaged couples for marriage
Criterion staff report
Three marriage preparation programs offered in the archdiocese—the Pre-Cana Conference, Tobit Weekend and One in Christ—help prepare engaged couples for the sacrament of marriage as well as the challenges of married life.
Early registration is recommended for all programs, as each fills up quickly.
Pre-Cana Retreats
Pre-Cana Retreats cover skills for marriage, a catechesis on the sacrament of marriage and an introduction to the science and morals behind natural family planning. They are offered in English in Indianapolis and New Albany, and in Spanish in Columbus. The upcoming Pre-Cana Retreats are scheduled as follows:
Indianapolis (8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. each day, $200 per couple, more information and registration at www.archindy.org/precana):
• April 15-16 at Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish, 7225 Southeastern Ave.
• Sept. 23-24 at Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center, 1400 N. Meridian St.
Columbus: There are no Pre-Cana retreats currently scheduled in Columbus. For more information, call St. Bartholomew Parish at 812-379-9353 and dial ext. 1235
for Maria Nieto or ext. 1231 for Karen Camargo, or email mnieto@stbparish.net or kcamargo@stbparish.net.
New Albany: The next one-day Pre-Cana Retreat in New Albany will take place in the fall; the date is still to be determined. For more information, call 812-923-8355 or go to catalystcatholic.org/precana.
Tobit Weekend
Tobit Weekend retreats take place at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E. 56th St., in Indianapolis, and are offered in English. The cost is $298, which includes program materials, meals, snacks and two rooms for two nights.
The next retreats take place on April 28-30, June 23-25 and Sept. 15-17.
To register, go to www.archindy.org/fatima/calendar/tobit.html. For registration questions, contact Jennifer Burger at jburger@archindy.org or 317-545-7681. For more information about the program and its contents, contact Cheryl McSweeney at cmcsweeney@archindy.org or 317-545-7681, ext. 106.
One in Christ
One in Christ marriage preparation, which includes a medical panel to address questions on reproduction and fertility, is a three-day program spanning a weekend and the following Saturday. The first day of the program is 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the second day is 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and the third day is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The cost is $300 per couple, which covers meals and materials.
There are two upcoming One in Christ opportunities:
• March 11, 12 and 25 at Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish, 335 S. Meridian St., in Greenwood.
• May 20, 21 and June 3 at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 10655 Haverstick Road, in Carmel, Ind. (Lafayette Diocese).
To register, go to oicindy.com/seminar-registration. For more information call 317-600-5629, e-mail info@OICIndy.com or go to www.OICIndy.com.
Live retreats offer an invaluable experience for engaged couples and are the expected formation option.
However, for couples who experience significant difficulties attending a live retreat, including but not limited to preparing for marriage while out of state or country, being deployed in the armed forces or inflexible shift work at a hospital or factory, the online and self-paced Joy-Filled Marriage course ensures that no one misses out on valuable and comprehensive marriage formation. It is available in English and Spanish, and the cost is $105.
For more information or to register, go to www.archindy.org/precana. †
See more from our Spring Marriage Supplement