Congratulations

...on your upcoming celebration of Holy Matrimony and sharing in this Sacrament! Your wedding is not only a very special day for the two of you but it is also a sacred event for the entire Church, and we want to be part of your celebration!


Before couples are married in the Catholic Church, we ask that you thoroughly prepare for this life-long sacrament. Marriage preparation or "Pre-Cana" is an umbrella term for the whole marriage preparation process. Pre-Cana is not a one day event as many believe it to be but a timely process in preparing for marriage. Here is a step-by-step guide to marriage preparation:

1. Read our Wedding Policies
2. Make contact with your Priest or Deacon as soon as possible after the engagement, but not less than six months prior to the wedding date.
3. Read the Couples Guide.
4. Set an appointment to take a pre-marital inventory, e.g., FOCCUS with your pastor or deacon. 

The Diocese of Paterson requires that you attend two separate Pre-Cana programs before you are married.

Pre-Cana Life Skills
The Life Skills program offers practical insights and assistance in building a successful marriage. Topics covered include: Communication, Conflict Resolution, Family of Origin, Finances and more. 

You can complete your Life Skills requirement at a full day session at Assumption.  Meet other engaged couples and our Pre-Cana Ministry team as together we share our collective experiences on how to build a successful marriage.  Register online at here.  The cost of the program is $125.00.  Couple must also complete the God’ Plan program at St. Paul Inside the Walls.

God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage
God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage" is designed to help engaged couples understand and embrace a Catholic vision of married love. The God's Plan session provides a full catechesis of the Church's teaching, in an uplifting manner that resonates within the human heart. Based on Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body", this session is intended to enhance a key component of marriage preparation: catechesis in the theology of marriage and the gift of human sexuality.

The Diocese of Paterson offers marriage preparation classes to serve engaged couples. You have the option to take both session of your Pre-Cana required courses, (Life Skills and God’s Plan) or just God’s Plan if you are taking the Life Skills at Assumption Church.

Please email our Pre-Cana coordinators Ken and Rosa Rose at [email protected] when you have completed your course. Register for God's Plan here.