STEP 1- Theology Component           The first course you will take for marriage preparation addresses "what" the Church teaches on marriage and sexuality and "why" she teaches it. Discuss with your marriage preparation minister which option will best suit you to fulfill this step.

Option 1: Attend a one-day couple's workshop called God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage. These classes are offered at various locations throughout the archdiocese.

Option 2: Attend the Evening Marriage Preparation Program offered by Catholic Marriage Preparation, Inc. Click here for more information. Completion of this program will fulfill both Step 1 and Step 3 of your marriage preparation.  This class is also offered online.

Option 3: Attend the Marriage Builder Weekend offered by Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Click here for more information. Completion of this program will fulfill both Step 1 and Step 3 of your marriage preparation.

Option 4: Attend the Marriage Preparation Weekend Retreat at Church of the Risen Christ. The next retreat will be held on April 16-18, 2010. Completion of this program fulfills Step 1 and Step 3 of your marriage preparation. For more information, visit the Web site at www.risenchrist.org.

This step is to be completed within the first few months of proximate preparation. There are several options available to you for completion of this step. You will need to choose only one option. 

STEP 2- Natural Family Planning
This step focuses on the training of Natural Family Planning (NFP). Several organizations offer NFP training and certification in this Archdiocese. See the Natural Family Planning page for information on each organization and instruction for registration.

The NFP classes should be scheduled within the first few weeks of proximate preparation and completed before the wedding date.  Several options are available to you.

STEP 3- Life Skills Component
The life-skills component is intended to help you fine-tune some practical skills such as handling conflict, finances, decision making, etc. To begin this step, talk with your marriage preparation minister about possible options available to you at your parish and to discuss the other available options listed.

Option 1: Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend. Click here to see retreat schedule and to register.

Option 2: Private meeting with your priest/deacon, or married mentor couple to review pre-marital inventory (FOCCUS test) mentioned above. 

Option 3: Catholic Marriage Preparation, Inc., also explained under Step #1, will fulfill both Step #3 and Step #1 of your preparation process. Click here for more information.

Option 4: Life Skills Workshop offered at Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Boulder.
This program is facilitated by trained volunteers and provides an opportunity for couples to communicate intimately with one another in order to deepen and enrich their relationship. Click here for more information and to register.

Option 5: St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church also explained under Step #1, will fulfill both Step #3 and Step #1 of your preparation process. Click here for more information.

Option 6: Marriage Preparation Weekend Retreat at Church of the Risen Christ also explained under Step #1 will fulfill both Step #3 and Step #1 of your marriage preparation process. For more information, please visit www.risenchristchurch.org.

This step can be completed anytime throughout proximate or immediate preparation. Several options are availabe for completion of this step. Choose only one option.