In the Spirit of Cana
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In the Spirit of Cana Pastoral Outreach to Christian Marriage Formation, Preparation, Celebration and Continuing Education Diocese of Toledo Marriage & Family Life Ministry www.toledodiocese.org R Revisede 11-17-14 In the Spirit of Cana Guidelines for Pastoral Outreach to Christian Marriage: Formation, Preparation, Celebration, and Continuing Education Acknowledgements The staff of Diocese of Toledo Catholic Char ities Family Life Ministry, would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Archdiocese of Chicago for the written perm ission to the Diocese of Toledo Family Life Ministry for use of much of the CANA web page m aterial as our key source of inform ation to compile our diocesan workbook on how to work with engaged couples. We in the Fam ily Life ministry would also lik e to extend thanks to the following people who assisted in formatting all the information to be meaningful to staff in the Diocese of Toledo: Father Dan Zak, Father Frank Murd, Father Mark Davis, Father Charles Singler, F ather Chris Vasko, Father Marvin G. Borger, Deacon James Moncher, Deaco n Alfredo Diaz, Deacon Tom Carone, Deacon Paul W hite, Deacon Ken Cappelletty, Deacon Larry Tiefenbach, Lawrence Degnan, Tim Galvin, Lucy Abu-Absi, Patricia Halicek, and Mary Dudley. Our goal was to compile a working document that would be useful to all clergy and parish staff assisting an engaged couple as they prepare for their marriage to be blessed in one of the parish churches in the Diocese of Toledo. It should be noted that the following Pre-m arriage Preparation Policies and Procedures were developed to be in agreem ent with th e current Dio cese of Toledo Pastoral Policy Handbook, therefore you will find the policies dealing with Marriage in these pages. The Office of Family Life Ministry hopes that this Pre-marriage Preparation Resource will be helpful and practical as you strive to spir itually enrich your enga ged couples as they prepare to share their married lives with each other and their saving Lord. 2 Table of Contents PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 MISSION STATEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 6 DIOCESE OF TOLEDO MARRIAGE POLICIES .......................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER 1: Formation .................................................................................................................................... 27 A. OUR CATHOLIC HERITAGE ................................................................................................................ 27 B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIOCESE ............................................................................................... 28 C. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARISH .................................................................................................. 30 D. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL .......................................................................... 31 CHAPTER II: Preparation .............................................................................................................................. 32 A. OUR CATHOLIC HERITAGE ................................................................................................................ 32 B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIOCESE ............................................................................................... 34 C. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARISH .................................................................................................. 35 D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGAGED COUPLE ............................................................................ 39 E. PREPARATION PROCESS ..................................................................................................................... 41 F. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ................................................................................................................ 45 1. Marriage after a Previous Bond .................................................................................................... 45 2. Marriage after the Death of a Spouse ........................................................................................... 47 3. Marriage after a Declaration of Nullity from the Tribunal ........................................................... 48 4. Children from a Previous (Non-Marital) Relationship ................................................................. 50 5. Canonical Impediments ................................................................................................................ 51 6. Cohabitation ................................................................................................................................. 52 7. Persons with Mental Illness .......................................................................................................... 54 8. Weddings Taking Place in Other Dioceses .................................................................................. 55 9. Convalidation (“Blessing the Marriage”) vs. Sanation ................................................................. 57 10. Marriage to a Member of another Christian Church .................................................................... 59 a. Marriage to a Member of an Orthodox Church ......................................................................... 61 11. Marriage to a Member of a Non-Christian Religion .................................................................... 64 a. Abrahamic Religion (Jewish or Muslim) .................................................................................. 66 b. Non-Abrahamic Religion (Buddhist, Hindu, Bahai, Sikh, etc.) ................................................ 67 c. Unrecognized Baptism .............................................................................................................. 67 12. Non-Practicing Catholics ............................................................................................................. 68 13. Non-Registered Couples ............................................................................................................... 70 14. Cross-Cultural/Interracial Marriages ............................................................................................ 71 15. Immigration Issues ....................................................................................................................... 72 16. Hispanic Marriage Prep & Wedding Liturgy ............................................................................... 73 17. Previous Abortion ......................................................................................................................... 74 18. Health Concerns ........................................................................................................................... 76 19. Marriage of Minors ...................................................................................................................... 77 20. Pregnancy ..................................................................................................................................... 78 21. Extended Separation Before or After the Wedding ...................................................................... 80 22. Older Couple ................................................................................................................................ 81 23. Fulfillment of Requirements of Church Law ............................................................................... 82 G. PROCESS FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ..................................................................................... 84 H. PASTORAL AID TO ENHANCE DIALOGUE WITH AN ENGAGED COUPLE ............................... 85 I. RECOMMENDED OUTLINE FOR MARRIAGE MINISTRY PROCESS ............................................ 87 J. MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAMS .......................................................................................... 88 K. FOCCUS PREMARITAL INVENTORY ............................................................................................... 90 L. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (FERTILITY AWARENESS) ......................................................... 92 3 CHAPTER III: Celebration .............................................................................................................................. 95 A. OUR CATHOLIC HERITAGE ................................................................................................................ 95 B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIOCESE ............................................................................................... 95 C. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARISH .................................................................................................. 96 D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGAGED COUPLE ............................................................................ 98 E. LITURGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................... 100 1. Anniversary Blessing of a Married Couple .................................................................................