The engaged period is a special time in life that offers couples an opportunity to grow in love, in understanding, and in relationship - with one another, family, friends, the wider community, and with God. Campus Ministry provides formation & preparation for engaged couples seeking to be married in the Catholic Church. Whether you hope to get married locally or somewhere else, Campus Ministry is here to help. For more information or to start the engaged formation process, please contact Steve Blaha at (414) 288-3686.
Below you will find a brief overview of the major components of our marriage preparation process. Our staff can help provide additional resources based upon the needs of individual couples.
1. Initial Interview:
During this session, you and your fiancée will meet with a Campus Ministry staff member who will help walk you through the engaged formation process. Campus Ministry will officially begin your marriage preparation file at this point.
2. FOCCUS Pre-Marital Inventory:
Taking the FOCCUS Inventory is oftentimes a highlight for couples during their engagement period. The inventory helps engaged couples improve their appreciation and understanding of one another, identifies areas for increased communication, and offers the helpful wisdom and insights of a seasoned married couple.
(FOCCUS Inventory: 2-3 one hour sessions with a married couple at their home.)
3. Couples Retreat:
Being engaged can be a lot of work – wedding planning, future career planning, honeymoon travel plans, family logistics, you name it. Taking time for a retreat experience will help you stay in tune with one another and the movement of God in your lives, while providing a “sacred space and time” where the two of you can spend some quality time sharing your hopes and dreams for your life together.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee provides three retreat options: 1) Catholic Engaged Encounter Retreat Weekend, 2) Engaged Enrichment Day, and 3) Engaged Enrichment Conference. For more information or to sign up, please visit the Nazareth Project.
4. Conversations on Marriage:
Engagement is a time to relish. While it is an “in between period” filled with waiting and expectation, this stage in life offers couples the opportunity to consciously build strong foundations. Making time amidst class and work schedules to talk about topics relating to marriage creates room for you love to grow and develop.
Because the wedding liturgy offers a lifetime of inspiration and encouragement for spouses, our process invites couples to prepare a celebration that will help shape their vocation and life together.
Helpful links: