The Sacrament of Matrimony Preparation for Clergy

The Diocese of Tulsa requires formal marriage preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony. in the Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma. You should anticipate engaged couples to contact you at the beginning of their preparation process. 

1. Meet with Couple. Discuss marriage preparation requirements, Prenuptial Investigation, and seta a wedding date approximately 6-12 months prior to the desired wedding date. Contact the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal for questions Tribunal or Declaration of Nullity information. Assign any other formation or OCIA considerations.
    
2. Help the couple pick a preparation program. In person Catholic Engaged Encounter or online Catholic Marriage Prep are offered in English and Spanish. CEE weekends are hosted at different retreat centers across the Diocese. If you are interested in getting involved with Catholic Engaged Encounter as a chaplain, please contact Mrs. Megan Allen, the Marriage & Family Life Coordinator. Registration details available can be found HERE 

3. Natural Family Planning (NFP). All couples of childbearing years are required to take either the online Natural Plan course ($15) or attend an in person NFP intro session at the Marian Medical Clinic at Saint Francis Hospital South. These introductory sessions are meant to catechize the “why” behind the Catholic Church is “NFP only” and what the Church teaches. NFP and Catholic sexual ethics are talked about in depth at CatholicMarriagePrep.com, and during an hour presentation at Engaged Encounter to reinforce these teachings. A full NFP course is strongly encouraged with a few months of charting before the wedding.

Upcoming Natural Family Planning Sessions

4. Meet with the Couple. Complete the FOCCUS inventory. Suggest a mentor couple for the engaged, at your discretion.  If assistance is needed finding a FOCCUS training, please contact Mrs. Audrey Stubblefield, the Marriage & Family Life Coordinator.

5. Plan the Wedding Mass. Help the couple select celebrants, concelebrants, lectors, altar servers, and liturgical music for their Nuptial Liturgy. Discuss Sunday Mass considerations and Honeymoon Sunday Mass obligation. Connect the couple to parish wedding planner if applicable. Plan the wedding rehearsal for the evening prior to the wedding Mass.

6. Meet with Couple. Finalize the wedding celebration details. Voice any final concerns, ask questions, offer counseling if needed, or special considerations.

7. Wedding Weekend. Wedding Rehearsal and Nuptial Mass. It’s go-time!

8. Now What? Help the couple get involved at your parish or their preferred parish; offer to bless their new home as a newly married couple; encourage them to follow Diocesan and parish events.  

• Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love - Dr. Edward Sri 

• The Good News about Sex and Marriage - Christopher West
• Three to Get Married – Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen
• Dear Newlyweds – Pope Pius XII
• God’s Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage - CD set
• Beloved Series on Formed.org - 12 episodes
• Prepare Enrich

For questions:
 
Coach, Marriage and Family Life Specialist
[email protected]
 

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES FOUND HERE