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Marriage Preparation

Please contact Kathy Martin at 402.280.2205 with questions or to begin the process.

Why do marriage preparation at Creighton/St. John’s?

The marriage preparation process at Creighton/St. John’s is designed to meet the needs of busy students and professionals by honoring each couples unique needs and special issues while using a time tested process for connecting couples in a way that truly informs and enhances their marriage experience long after the wedding day.

What is involved in marriage preparation?

Couples will complete the FOCCUS inventory and discuss issues related to marriage with a mentor couple or a Jesuit priest.

Couples will choose from three options for their pre-marriage retreat which include: The Ignatian Marriage Preparation Retreat, Catholic Engaged Encounter or Marriage: A Journey for Life.

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A bride and groom sitting in a pew and laughing during their wedding

How do we begin?

Call 402-280-2205 or email KathyMartin@creighton.edu to schedule an Introductory meeting in which the process of marriage preparation is explained and initial documents are completed. (1 hour).

Creighton students, alumni, children of an alumni, staff and faculty members, as well as parishioners of St. John’s are invited and encouraged to prepare for marriage with the Creighton/St. John’s marriage preparation office.

Have you heard great things about the FOCCUS inventory and conversations at Creighton/St. John’s and want to benefit from this experience even though you are not getting married in the Catholic Church? We are happy to assist you! We will adapt the FOCCUS conversations for your needs. Every engaged couple can benefit from these pre-marriage conversations so give your relationship this gift!

In order to give yourselves the most flexibility, please begin the process as soon as you are engaged or reserve the church. The Archdiocese of Omaha requires a minimum of six months for marriage preparation, but couples enjoy the process more when they begin a year or more before their wedding. You may do your introductory meeting up to two years before your wedding!

Engaged couples at Creighton/St. John’s give their FOCCUS facilitators a stipend of $75 which is collected at the introductory meeting. The cost of the retreat varies according to the option selected by the couple. The FOCCUS inventory cost is $20 per couple.

The marriage preparation office is located in Campus Ministry in the lowest level of Swanson Hall. Park at the visitors lot on 24th and Cass and walk west towards Deglman Circle. From circle turn left towards Brandeis and look for the white “Campus Ministry” arrow pointing down to our door.

View the Campus Map

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We are here location photo for campus ministry

Information regarding St. John’s parish:
https://www.stjohns-creighton.org/

Information for weddings at St. John’s including recommendations for wedding music and liturgy:
https://www.stjohns-creighton.org/weddings

General information and tips for Catholic marriage including suggestions for planning a wedding:
https://www.foryourmarriage.org/marriage-prep-resources/ 

Marriage Preparation information from the Archdiocese of Omaha:
https://archomaha.org/marriageprep/

Information on hosting your wedding reception at Creighton:
https://www.creighton.edu/centralized-reservations/wedding-receptions-and-social-gatherings

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