What is a Catholic Engaged Encounter?
- It is a weekend retreat away with other engaged couples with plenty of time alone together to plan for a sacramental marriage. It is designed to give couples planning marriage the opportunity to dialogue honestly and intensively about their prospective lives together-- their strengths and weaknesses, desires, ambitions, goals, their attitudes about money, sex, children, family, their role in the church and society--in a face to face way. (Also see The Weekend)
What is the cost?
- Effective 12/01/2008 due to expense increases, the registration fee will be per couple, or $275 if paid more than 30 days in advance of the registered weekend. Meals are provided Saturday and Sunday. Please pay total amount with reservation. A minimum of seven days notice is required to cancel or reschedule a weekend. $60 is non-refundable at all times. Balance is refundable only with the seven days notice. Scholarships for full or partial payments are available on a financial need basis. If you need assistance, please call. We will contact your priest to determine what you can pay, what the parish can assist with, and what CEE's portion will be. To date, no couple has ever been turned away because of lack of funds.
NOTE: Some older, hard-copy registration forms may have been distributed in some parishes with out of date cost information. The cost for the weekend is the same regardless if you register online or through the mail.
What happens at an Engaged Encounter?
- Through a series of ideas presented by a team of two married couples and priest, the couple is motivated to dialogue privately with each other on all aspects of married life--always from the view point of their own relationship. Personal reflection and dialogue are the main thrust of the weekend with communal meals and Sunday Liturgy providing group participation. Also see The Weekend.
Do you have to be Catholic?
- No, individuals and couples of other faiths are welcome. However, because the Encounter is a Catholic program, all presentations are from a Catholic perspective and theology on marriage.
Who is Engaged Encounter?
- Engaged Encounter is a community of local lay married couples and priests. The local community is tied into the national Catholic Engaged Encounter program. The team couples have been through a workshopping process to prepare their presentations. All are volunteers who look at engaged ministry as a calling to serve God and the Catholic Church.
Where are the weekends held?
- Weekends are usually held at a hotel in Salt Lake City depending on the size of the group and facility availability. Rooms are assigned based on gender with two men or two women to a room. (Also see Weekend Locations)
When should we go?
- We suggest that couples make an Engaged Encounter weekend at least eight weeks before their wedding date. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis and weekends do fill up. Spring weekends are usually the fullest so it is best to register as soon as you consider marriage. All marriage preparation is coordinated through the parish. Prior to registering for a weekend, please notify your parish priest of your intent to marry.
What type of program is this?
- Catholic Engaged Encounter is unique because its emphasis is on quiet time for each other as opposed to small group interaction and sharing. This marriage preparation program is specifically designed for private dialogue between the engaged couple.
How do we register?
- You may register on-line by clicking here or, if you prefer, registration forms can easily be obtained from your parish. You can also e-mail a request or request one via voice mail. However, payment for your weekend must be received with your registration in order to be officially registered for a weekend. See our Registration page for more info.
Can we come to the retreat late or leave early?
- It is imperative that all couples attend the entire weekend to get the full benefit from the weekend. No exceptions.
What food will be provided on the weekend?
- No food will be available Friday night. Please eat dinner prior to arriving as there are no restaurants available at the hotel. A continental breakfast is provided by the hotel on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Saturday and Sunday lunches as well as Saturday dinner are provided on the weekend. In addition to the meals, couples are encouraged to bring a snack to share with the group and are available throughout the weekend. Following is a sample menu of the meals provided by EE.
- Saturday lunch - Pita sandwich wraps and chips
- Saturday dinner - Chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, and a green salad
- Sunday lunch - Soup, pasta salad, green salad, and rolls
- A soda vending machine is available on site.
