PreCana

Marriage preparation is a prerequisite for couples expecting to marry in the Catholic Church. St. Paul's parish holds two "standard" pre-Cana sessions a year, in spring and fall. Our pre-Cana is a single session, on Saturday, from 2-10pm. The Saturday session includes a 9pm Mass (which counts toward one's Sunday obligation).

In the Diocese of Trenton, the pre-Cana requirement can be satisfied by a "Pre-Cana" course of the kind held at St. Paul, by a one-day course called "God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage," or an "Engaged Encounter" for couples. Couples in another diocese must check with their diocese for what is required, but can fulfill requirements in the Trenton Diocese. Check the Marriage and Family Ministries page on the Diocese of Trenton website http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/church/marriageandfamily.asp for other programs in other parishes in the diocese.

Enrollment for St. Paul's pre-Cana is limited to 30 couples per session, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you apply too late to attend a session at St. Paul's, you must find a pre-Cana session elsewhere. The diocese's website lists dates and contact information for all pre-Cana groups in the diocese. Visit them at: www.dioceseoftrenton.org/department/events.asp.

You should attend a pre-Cana as early in the process of preparation as possible, at least six months before the wedding day. Do not leave your pre-Cana until the last month. However, the pre-Cana should not occur until after you have had your first meeting with the celebrant or person who is preparing you.

Pre-Cana sessions take place in the Spiritual Center (basement) of St. Paul's Church at 214 Nassau Street, and are a mixture of activities including talks, exercises and discussions all relating to the journey that is marriage. All materials are provided and dress is casual.

Spring 2009 Pre-Cana Registration

Starting in 2009, the cost is $100 (per couple) and is payable at registration by credit card. You register at the diocesan website, http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/go/precana.

Fall 2008 Pre-Cana at St. Paul

For fall 2008, the cost is $100 (per couple) and is payable at the start of the session. (Make checks payable to St. Paul's Church.) Registration for fall Pre-Cana is done through this website. Both of you should fill in the form that follows and click the "Register" button. Notification will be sent to the administrator in charge of Pre-Cana, indicating your interest in joining the selected session. You will receive a response by email within three days. If you do not hear within three days, you can email Teri McIntire (tmcintire@maya-nj.com). If there is not room for you in the group, you can be placed on our waiting list or you may elect to find another group that you can join.

	Fall 2008
	Saturday, October 4, 2008, 2:00pm to 10:00pm SORRY. This session is full. Additional applicants will be waitlisted.
Spring 2009	Fall 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 2:00pm to 10:00pm	Saturday, October 3, 2009, 2:00pm to 10:00pm

Application
Please complete the following application for the Fall 2008 Pre-Cana ONLY.

To be filled out by the Couple:
Session:	Fall 2008
Wedding Date:
Parish of Marriage:
Future Address (if known):
Have you met with the priest who will perform the ceremony?:	Yes No
If you have met with the priest, what is his name?:
Special Considerations (if any):
To be filled out by the BRIDE:
Name:
Have you been married before?:	Yes No
Address:
City, State ZIP:
Age:
Phone#:
Religion:
Parish (if Catholic):
Email Address:
To be filled out by the GROOM:
Name:
Have you been married before?:	Yes No
Address:
City, State ZIP:
Age:
Phone#:
Religion:
Parish (if Catholic):
Email Address: