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Frequently Asked Questions About Engaged Encounter
What is an Engaged Encounter Weekend?
Engaged Encounter is an investment in the future - a weekend experience in which an
atmosphere is created that enables each couple to concentrate exclusively on one
another while free of the pressures and interruptions of daily life. However,
this weekend is not a recreational retreat. It is a program designed to give
each couple an opportunity to discuss honestly with each other, in a face-to-face manner,
their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, their attitudes about money,
sex, family, their role in the church and in society.
What happens on a Weekend?
Through a series of ideas presented by teams of married couples and a priest, deacon, or sister, the engaged couples are stimulated to dialogue privately on all aspects of married life, always from the viewpoint of their own relationship. Couples are given the opportunity to question, examine and deepen their relationship with each other. Through a series of writing and sharing exercises the couples are challenged to explore many aspects of their relationship in a much deeper, more honest way than they may have before. Personal reflection and dialogue are the main emphasis of the weekend, with the exception of meals and a few group activities interspersed.
What is the cost of a weekend? How do we register?
The total weekend cost is $265 per couple. This includes meals, lodging and hand-outs.
This amount is to be included with the registration form.
Please register 2-3 months prior to your desired weekend to ensure your date. You can
begin the registration process online and make your checks payable to
Catholic Engaged Encounter. $45 is non-refundable and you must cancel two weeks prior to your weekend
to get a refund.
Do we have to stay all weekend?
Yes...the weekend begins on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. and ends
Sunday afternoon about 3:30 p.m. Please arrange your schedule
accordingly and select a weekend in which you can make this full commitment.
Do we have to say anything publicly?
No. Engaged Encounter is non-threatening. You will be asked to introduce yourself and your fiance, but that is all. It is not group therapy. Your privacy will be respected. It is not a counseling course, neither are there formal lectures, nor is it based on group discussions. The weekend is designed for private discussions between a couple. You concentrate on your partner so much that you hardly notice the other couples present. The presentations are given to the group as a whole, but your couple discussions are private.
Why does our priest make us go?
Well, actually, you decided on it by deciding to become a Sacrament. I'll try to not wax too theological. Catholics view the seven sacraments as a way of directly encountering Jesus. Only two of the seven are sacraments of service, directed towards the salvation of others: Matrimony and Holy Orders. Most people understand that it takes years of preparation to become a priest. There is a lot of overlap in what the Catholic Church expects of a priest and a matrimonied couple. Most people do not think it takes any preparation to be married. The reality is, it takes a lot to be married, even more to become a sacrament. The forty four hours of the weekend just scratch the surface of what it really takes. It is a start.
Does the couple have to be Catholic?
No. Although the weekend is designed for couples planning to be married
in the Catholic Church, it is open to all couples of any faith.
It has been found to be both beneficial and supporting of couples
from differing faith backgrounds.
What should we pack and wear?
Separate sleeping facilities are provided for men and women on the weekend.
Pack separately and bring casual clothing that will be comfortable.
Bedding is provided at Palisades, but we recommend bringing a sleeping bag for Black Lake.
Do we have to stay all weekend?
Yes...the weekend begins on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. and ends
Sunday afternoon about 3:30 p.m. Please arrange your schedule
accordingly and select a weekend in which you can make this full commitment.
How soon before the wedding should we attend our weekend?
Although we are called Engaged Encounter, a couple does not need to be actually
engaged to attend a weekend. We recommend the "earlier the better".
As soon as you are engaged, or even considering engagement that is
the right time to attend a weekend. By attending early you can discover
areas of growth necessary in your relationship, determine if engagement
and marriage is right for you at this time (before becoming too invested
in the wedding preparations), and avoid the last minute hassles of attending
a weekend while trying to do everything else your wedding day entails.
If either of us have been married before can we still attend an Engaged Encounter weekend?
Yes...the weekend is for any couple, of any age, considering marriage.
Why should we attend?
The weekend experience offers each couple the insights,
the tools and the confidence to enrich their relationship and strengthen their love for one another.
They learn that good marriages don't just happen. They must be developed.
For many couples, this weekend is one of the most significant experiences of their courtship.
How does an Engaged Encounter enhance a marriage?
The encounter weekend teaches a communication technique
which permits each couple to explore important areas of their
relationship in a spirit of love and understanding. By
continuing the newly-acquired technique begun on the weekend,
husbands and wives continually grow closer together to live more
joyful and purposeful lives. While not an essential part of the experience,
the availability of a community of others who have shared the Weekend
and who share similar values provides a supportive environment
for even further growth.
Comments about the Weekend
"Engaged Encounter is the best marriage preparation program in communication
for engaged couples of any denomination in the U.S."
- Michael J McManus, author of the book,"Marriage Savers",
syndicated columnist in 100 newspapers and radio commentator.
"In addition to pre-marital counseling,
another wonderful way to eliminate the unpleasant
surprises of early married life is a program called Engaged Encounter ...
I strongly recommend Engaged Encounter to every couple planning a wedding."
- Dr. James Dobson, author of "Love for a Lifetime",
founder of Focus on the Family
"We believe that Engaged Encounter is an opportunity for engaged couples to truly connect with one another on important topics and issues without being distracted by daily life."
- Sheri and Bob Stritof, authors of "The Everything Great Marriage Book",
Marriage Guides at Marriage at About.com
COPYRIGHT ©2007 Tacoma Catholic Engaged Encounter.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT PERMISSION PROHIBITED
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