Pre-Cana Online Course
The Pre-Cana Online Course is written for couples preparing for the Catholic Sacrament of Marriage and meets the requirement of the Church for marriage preparation. In addition to ten guided conversations and video teaching sessions with Rev. Frank, you will be able to enjoy a presentation on the “Sacrament of Marriage.” You will also meet a couple who has practiced “Natural Family Planning” as they share with you how this method has become an integral part of their love and family.
Why might Pre-Cana Online be right for you?
With so many Pre-Cana courses to choose from, what makes Pre-Cana Online stand out from the rest? There are many reasons:
Rev. Frank’s Experience
This course comes from Rev. Frank’s heart after more than 40 years of experience working with couples like you. His passion to help engaged couples comes across in the videos and guided conversations he has created.
Private and Self-Guided
At such a busy time in your lives when things like work, school, planning a wedding, etc., can take all the time you have, this course gives you the flexibility to do each section as time and availability allow, and when you’re in the mood, too! There are no appointments or retreat dates to squeeze into your schedules. Plus, the experience is private. No one will be looking over your shoulders. Couples love the fact that this privacy helps them to relax and be more open, honest, and intimate with each other.
Comprehensive
The course blends the sacred teachings of the Church with the real-life conversations every couple needs to have before they become husband and wife. And all of this within 8-12 hours, completed in a weekend or spread out over weeks. You decide your own completion timeline.
YOU Are the Content!
Rev. Frank believes that it is not what others say to you (lectures) that is as important as what you say to each other in open and honest communication. Couples love the fact that the ten guided conversations in this course make it easy for anyone to have good talks at a time in your lives when there is a lot to talk about.
Affordable
Every couple doing marriage preparation knows the costs. Most Pre-Cana events cost $200 – $300. The Pre-Cana Online course is only $95. Need we say more?
What's Included in the Pre-Cana Online Course?
Ten Guided Conversations
Before enrolling in the Pre-Cana Online Course, couples have a right to know what they are getting themselves into with this question, “What are we being asked to talk about?” Here’s the list of the ten topics along with sample prompts to give you an idea of how the guided conversations will help you prepare for the conversation. You will work separately by writing responses to a series of first person prompts. When you’re both finished writing, you will come together, hold hands and talk it through. It’s fun and feels more like a date than a class.
Before We Say 'I Do'
- Some of your best qualities include…
- When we are married, I especially look forward to…
- To “love and honor you” means that I promise to…
Our Parents
- Some of my Mother’s best qualities and strengths include:
- My Father’s role in the family was to…
- To my Mother I would want or need to say I’m grateful to you for…
Our Love Life
Conversations include:
- A list of some of the people I love include…
- To say that I love someone means that I…
- Experiences and/or challenges that have helped our love grow include…
Leisure and Work
Conversations include:
- When I was a child I was expected to work hard at…
- One of my most satisfying jobs was…
- My idea of spending a great day or evening with you includes…
Faith
Conversations include:
- An early religious experience I remember was when…
- I believe that worship is…
- Things I respect about your beliefs and the way you practice your faith include…
Children
- More than anything children need adults and parents who…
- Some of the characteristics and qualities of a “good parent” include
- Reasons I would welcome (or have welcomed) having children in our home and life include…
Money
- When I was a child with money in my pocket, this is what I often did with it…
- As we make money choices and plans for the future, I want us to be sure to…
- This is my prayer for our finances, Dear God…
Doing My Part
- Growing up, the adults in my life taught me that around the house women were mainly responsible for…
- Men were mainly responsible for…
- If the household chores and duties are to be fair and equal in our marriage, I will need to be more open and willing to…
Issues
- In a few words, the issue, conflict, or decision we need to talk through is…
- This is an important issue for me because…
- It’s an important issue for our relationship because…
Our Wedding Day
Conversations include:
- When I think about our wedding day and the commitment we’re about to make to each other, I’m very thankful to you for…
- I’m especially looking forward to…
- I’m hoping that the members of both of our families will experience…
Supporting Videos
In addition to the guided conversations, you will be watching these supporting videos together:
- Teaching videos with Rev. Dr. Nelson to guide the process and help you know what’s next.
- A teaching video with Father Mike Schmitz speaking to you about the “Sacrament of Marriage.”
- Kenna and Pat Millea giving their personal experience with Natural Family Planning.
The Catholic Certificate of Completion
When you have completed this Pre-Cana Online course, submit electronic copies of the work you have completed by attaching the files to an email and sending them to Rev. Frank. He is the only one who will see your work and the purpose of his review is not to grade your work but only to be sure that you have completed the course.
Rev. Frank will need your full names for the certificate as well as a paragraph from each of you reviewing your experience. He will then process your electronic Catholic Certificate of Completion within 48 hours and email you a copy. Rev. Frank also likes to be in touch with the priest, deacon, or contact person of the local parish. He will email them a copy of the certificate, too.
