"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and  clings to his wife, and   the   two of them become one body."  Genesis 2:24  

      
                             PRE-CANA (Marriage Preparation)
                                           
We believe that our parish Pre-Cana program is the most effective way
to prepare engaged couples to enter the lifelong commitment of married life.  Our program cannot
 function without married couples who are willing to share their marriages
in its joys and struggles with our engaged couples. 

Pre-Cana is not a lecture or classroom approach but an informal group
 discussion which takes place in the homes of our team couples.  
Engaged couples and married couples meet in these homes for four sessions
covering such topics as communication, decision making, sexuality and spirituality. 
The final session takes place at St. Catherine's where all the engaged
couples and team couples gather for a closing Mass and celebration.

We offer training to any couple who wishes to be part of our Pre-Cana team. 
After the training, you will be working with an experienced team couple as your partners. 
We want to offer you an much support as possible.  Pre-Cana is one of the few church programs
 that can actually strengthen your own marital realtionship!

In order to prepare all of the engaged couples who are getting married at St. Catherine's,
we run the Pre-Cana program in our parish three times a year. 
We hope you will consider being a part of our Pre-Cana family.
                                                          
                FOCCUS         
As an additional part of our marriage preparation program, engaged couples
 need to complete the FOCCUS instrument. 
FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) is an aid for Pre-Cana. 
It can help the engaged couple study, understand and communicate
openly about many things that are important to their relationship.  It is designed
to help couples target the topics they need and want to speak about as a couple. 
After completing the on-line questionnaire, specially trained persons will meet with  the couple planning to marry and discuss with them the instrument. 
FOCCUS is now required of all couples preparing for marriage in the Diocese of rockville Centre.

For more information please call the Parish Office  - 516-352-0146