Encounter Experience

What is Encounter Experience?

An Encounter Experience is a workshop for couples planning or discerning marriage that is designed to give an opportunity to dialogue honestly and intensively about their future life together. It is facilitated by a team consisting of couples who are married in the Catholic Church. An Encounter Experience is NOT a spiritual retreat or marriage counseling.

When Should You Register?

REGISTER EARLY! Weekends fill quickly, and you must complete your weekend within 90 days of your first meeting with the priest or the deacon. Registrations are accepted on a first come first serve basis via mail or in person at the Diocesan Chancery office. Late registration (those received less than two weeks prior to a Weekend) will be accepted if space is available and will require an additional $25 administrative fee.

Where is it held?

At various locations throughout the diocese. All sessions must be attended on both days to receive a certificate of completion. Certificate valid for one year from the date of receipt.

What is the time frame?

The date and time frame vary depending on location.

CCFC:	Saturday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
* Parish locations:	Friday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Saturday 8:30 AM - 5: 30 PM

What happens during an Encounter Experience?

Concepts and skills proven useful in creating lasting, fulfilling marriages are presented. Engaged couples are given time to examine these concepts in light of their relationship. The format includes presentations, visual and reflective exercises, with emphasis on private sharing time for each couple.

Do you have to be Catholic to attend?

No. The Encounter Experience is a Christian process. Catholic couples, Inter-church and Inter-faith couples are welcome. We especially recommend this experience to any engaged couple where one party is a Christian.

When should you attend?

It is strongly recommended that you attend at least six months prior to your anticipated wedding date. In addition, it is highly recommended that participation in this workshop occur after completion of the *FOCCUS Process in the parish.
* A pre-marriage inventory. Please contact your parish for information.

When should you register?

REGISTER EARLY!! Registrations are accepted on a first come first serve basis via mail or in person at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. Our first consideration is for couples entering into a Catholic marriage.

Due to the high demand for this workshop, space for out of Diocese and ecumenical (both non-Catholic) couples is limited.

Late registrations (those received less than two weeks prior to the workshop) will be accepted if space is available and will require an additional $50 administrative fee payable by Money Order.

What Is the fee?

Fee increases to $225.00 effective July 1, 2011

$200.00 Per Couple
$300.00 Per Couple - Out of Diocese. (Limited space available)

Fee includes meals, workshop materials and overnight stay (which is optional but does not affect the cost)

Upon cancellation, $100 of the workshop fee is non-refundable.

*Late Registration: $50. Rescheduling/Transfers:$50. Returned Check: $50

How do you register?

Download the document to the left and follow the instructions in the document.

Encounter Experience Schedule

February 10-11, 2012 March 17-18, 2012 April 20-21, 2012 May 19-20, 2012 June 8-9, 2012

July 21-22, 2012 August 10-11, 2012 September 29-30, 2012 November 2-3, 2012 December 1-2, 2012