Taking this Pre-Cana course has been one of the most meaningful, reflective, and grounding experiences during our wedding preparation. In a season where it’s very easy to get caught up in all things wedding planning, guest lists, travel, much preparation, and expenses, we tend to get lost in what is most important. This course helped us pause, reconnect, and re-center on what really matters in marriage preparation: our future, our faith and sacredness.
To me, what made this so powerful was how guided it was of being an ‘online’ course. It might have been more informative and meaningful than my online classes. Each video and conversation afterwards were so intentional. From discussing conflict resolution with real honesty, to reflecting on how we want to raise our children, and also reflecting on how we will handle our finances together, it gave us the language and structure to talk about those things that really matter, not every conversation was easy, especially reflecting on our parents and family, as I just lost my grandmother a few days ago. I wanted to complete this course earlier but had to take many breaks with my fiancé to take time to reflect.
I love how this course has helped me through my grieving, I feel I am that much closer to God during this vulnerable time in my life. In all, I believe and wish every couple planning to be married should do this course, regardless of how long they’ve been together. Even couples who feel ‘solid’ will discover new layers of their relationship by going through this, watching the videos, writing down intentions, and connecting on a new level with their partner. I couldn’t suggest any way that would be needed to make this course ‘better.’ Rev. Frank did such an amazing job with its content and delivery. As Anthony and I have discussed, I made a connection to online school, where we sometimes are required to make video submission responses- maybe real couples answering the same questions. It would be encouraging to give couples the option to send in videos of themselves talking. Overall, yes, this course was beautifully delivered and such a gift to reconnect during this stressful time. Thank you for helping us walk into this next chapter feeling grounded and emotionally prepared. – Carina
My immediate takeaway from this course was how powerful it was, more than we expected.
I didn’t know how I felt at first when it was mentioned to us, I thought we would be filling out generic-type forms or checking a box, but to my surprise, it ended up being the most intentional, meaningful parts of our engagement, starkly different from our previous catholic sacramental courses.
The conversations were well-needed and carried out with intention. The conversations it sparked were deep and healing. We laughed, we cried (more than once), and we came away from each session feeling closer. The structure helped the most, the way each worksheet guided us from the videos into conversations we needed to have but hadn’t slowed down enough to have on our own. I think everyone should take this course, catholic or not. It raises important aspects for another to consider before taking the leap to marriage – especially finances, children, family, and communication, all which stood out to me. I would take this course if offered in person – but I am glad it was readily available to us online, I think others would feel the same way! – Anthony
