Mid-Michigan Catholic Engaged Encounter

FOCCUS is not part of the Catholic Engaged Encounter program.  FOCCUS should be coordinated by whomever is responsible for the marriage preparation program.

We recommend “the earlier the better” policy.  Marriage preparation should start at least six months prior to the wedding.  As soon as you are engaged, or even considering engagement, it is the right time to attend Engaged Encounter. By attending early, you can discover areas of growth necessary in your relationship, determine if engagement and marriage is right for both of you, and avoid attending a retreat while preparing for the wedding as the date draws near.  However, you will find the program quite helpful at any point of your engagement.

Catholic Engaged Encounter is designed to provide couples getting married the tools needed for a successful marriage. The retreat is open to any engaged couple wanting to prepare for a deeper, more meaningful life together in marriage.

Please see the cost for the weekend in the Registration section below.

The retreat provides private one-on-one time for each couple to learn about each other and marriage based on five major themes: The Family in which We Grew Up, Sacramental Marriage, Communications, Intimacy – more than just sex, and Values.  Couples learn about these five major themes through a series of presentations given by married couples. After each presentation, both fiancés are given time to individually reflect and write their own thoughts and feelings regarding the topic presented.  The couples then are given time to privately share their thoughts and feelings as couple.  There is no group sharing as the focus of the program is on the communication between each couple.

We suggest that you bring the following items with you:

• Wear comfortable casual clothing;
• Bring a snack to place on the shared snack table which will be available to everyone.  Coffee (normal and decaf) and water will be provided;
• A reusable cup to enjoy coffee and water during the retreat;
• Any snack or drink items for your own personal consumption

Please plan to arrive at least half an hour before the start of the first presentation.  The start time for the first presentation is indicated in the Registration section below for each weekend.

Sunday at mid- to late-afternoon.

Each couple receives his and her own workbook to use throughout the retreat.  These are yours to share with each other and to keep.  The workbook provides an outline of the retreat and the topics covered.  Due to varying factors, such as start times, mealtimes, slight differences in the  lengths of the presentations, etc., we are unable to provide a schedule for the weekend.  Most presentations, individual reflection time, and couple reflection time total about 60 minutes.

YES, it is very important that you stay for the entire retreat.  If you arrive late or leave early, you will miss important parts of the retreat experience, and we may not be able to give you your certificate of completion for the retreat.  Please contact the registration person indicated in the Registration section below if special circumstances will interfere with attendance at the complete weekend.

Yes, we do ask that you observe a few basic rules.

• Please refrain from the use of illegal drugs.
• Please respect others.
• Please dress appropriately – nothing risque.
• Please remember that the weekend is presented at a Catholic facility and be respectful of your surroundings.
• Please do not leave the weekend for any reason, unless an emergency arises.  If you need to leave, please speak to one of the team members.

Dress for the entire weekend is casual.  Please dress comfortably.  We will attend Mass during the weekend, however casual attire is acceptable.

Catholic Engaged Encounter is a smoke- free environment.  Due to state law, all of our facilities prohibit smoking including e-cigarettes.  If you smoke, each facility has designated smoking areas outside of the building.  Additionally, as a sign of respect, we ask that you refrain from using e-cigarettes or vaping inside the facilities as well.

Planning a wedding can be a fun and exciting time.  It can also be stressful.  Catholic Engaged Encounter offers a weekend-long retreat away from the hustle and bustle of life where you can focus on each other and on your relationship.  There will be a little free time during the weekend.

Wi-fi is available over the weekend.  However, as the retreat offers a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of life where you can focus on each other and your relationship, we ask that couples limit the use of electronic devices such as cell phones.  Focus on your future spouse.

No, the purpose of the Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend is to interact with your fiancé about issues that you may not have discussed.  If your fiancé is not present, you will be unable to complete the program.

Virtual weekends have the same content as in-person weekends and are presented via Zoom. Attendance for all presentations is mandatory and is monitored via computer cameras.  Mics are muted during the times when engaged couples are writing in their workbooks and discussing the topics presented together.

No, you do not have to be at the same location for virtual weekends.  You both can be anywhere as long as you have adequate internet access.  You will need a way to communicate with each other outside of Zoom, such as by phone, Facetime, or some other means for conversing in private regarding the topics presented.