Marriage

For those preparing for marriage at St. John Neumann Church, we ask that you be a registered member of our parish who has been attending Sunday Mass regularly for at least three months (visit here to register). Please contact in the Liturgy Office for the initial interview, assistance and further information.  Please see below for diocesan information.  For those who are already living the sacrament of marriage, please see the programs (listed below) that are offered in the diocese to help support you in your marriage.

Diocesan Information for Those Preparing for Marriage

Couples planning to marry should contact a parish priest or deacon at least six months prior to their wedding date in order to begin the marriage preparation process. Couples planning to attend the diocesan pre-marriage retreat, “Together in God’s Image,” are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Retreats are offered both at Cedarbrake Retreat Center and in a classroom setting at the new diocesan Pastoral Center, 6225 Hwy. 290 East in Austin. Please visit the Family Life and Family Counseling page on the diocesan Web site for dates and times.  Engaged couples must provide proof they have taken either the FOCCUS or PREPARE assessment before attending the “Together in God’s Image” classes or retreat. Couples must register by contacting the diocesan Office of Catholic Family Counseling and Family Life at (512) 873-7771.

Marriage Encounter Weekend for Couples to Deepen Their Marriage

A Marriage Encounter Weekend is offered to couples in healthy marriages who want to learn new ways to deepen their communication. The ME Weekend is an experience designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another. It’s a weekend away from home, family and responsibilities, where, in a comfortable environment, a couple is guided in the discovery of new techniques of communicating and sharing with one another.  The program is designed to help marriages become a true source of strength. Most retreats are held at Cedarbrake Retreat Center from Friday evening (7 p.m.) until Sunday afternoon (5 p.m.).  There are also weekends occasionally held at various Austin area hotels with a similar schedule.  During the summer, Central Texas Marriage Encounter often offers a nonresidential weekend at various parishes in the diocese.  These nonresidential weekends follow the same weekend schedule, although couples sleep at their own homes and the programs are held in various rooms on the parish campus.  For more information and a schedule, please visit the Austin Central Texas Marriage Encounter Web site.

Retrouvaille Weekend for Couples That Need Help Through Difficult Times in Their Marriage

Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) is a ministry designed to help troubled marriages regain their health.  Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. The program helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. The program is for couples that are struggling and staying together, as well as for those that are separated. For confidential information about or to register for the program contact Vince and Judy Sweat at (512) 267-6127 or visit the Web site at www.HelpOurMarriage.com.