ENGAGED ENCOUNTER

Return to Saint Vincent Home Page

WHAT IS CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER?

Engaged Encounter is one of the approved marriage preparation programs in the Catholic Church. It is designed to give couples planning marriage the opportunity to look forward to their prospective lives together with honesty and intensity. It's a time to face their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitious, goals, attitudes about money, children, sex, family and their role in the church and society.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE WEEKEND?

Through a series of ideas presented by a team of two married couples and a priest, the engaged couple is stimulated to discuss privately all aspects of their forthcoming married life. Their discussion is always from the view point of their own relationship. Personal reflection along with writing and dialogue between the couples becomes the main thrust of the weekend. Meals with the other couples and celebration of the Eucharist provide group participation.

DO YOU HAVE TO BE CATHOLIC?

The weekend is Catholic in orientation and is presented by two Catholic married couples and a priest. Anyone planning marriage in the Catholic Church would be eligible to attend the weekend. Occasionally, space may be available for couples of other faiths.

IS IT A WEEKEND OF INSTRUCTION OR COUNSELING?

Definitely not. The team couples are not counselors. It is stressed that it is not a social weekend; the engaged couples are there to work at deepening their level of communications with each other as a couple.

THIS IS A WORK WEEKEND! DO WE HAVE TO STAY ALL WEEKEND?

Yes ... the weekend begins at 7:30 pin on Friday night and concludes around 4:30 PM on Sunday. A weekend stay is necessary to maintain a unique atmosphere for the engaged couples, free of distraction.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE WEEKEND?

$300 per couple. This includes meals and lodging. This amount must be prepaid when the application is mailed. An opportunity for a donation is made available during the weekend. NO REFUND will be made unless notification is given IN ADVANCE of cancellation. The total cost is refunded if cancellation is make with 2 weeks or more notice prior to the start of the weekend. Only 50% of the cost will be refunded with less than 2 weeks notice. NO REFUND will be made with 7 DAYS OR LESS NOTICE.

Please call 707-566-3347 or 707-894-8586 to answer any questions.

IS THERE AN IDEAL TIME TO ATTEND?

It is recommended that you attend at least 3 to months prior to your wedding date. Space is limited and weekends fill quickly, therefore, it is necessary to send in your registration form as early as possible. No registrations will be confirmed on the telephone. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

WHERE AND WHEN ARE THE WEEKENDS HELD?

Weekends are held periodically. at different locations within the Santa Rosa Diocese. Below are the dates and locations for 2002. Please mark the weekend you would like to attend in order of preference. Many weekends fill up quickly, so please indicate a 1 for the weekend you would prefer to attend, and a 2 for the weekend that would be your second choice.

 We can accept your check if you are sending the application 30 days or more before the start of the weekend. If you send your application less than 30 days before the start of the weekend, please send payment by MONEY ORDER OR CASHIER'S CHECK made payable to CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER. Sorry we do not accept credit cards. Please include a stamped self-addressed envelope.

Return to Saint Vincent Home Page