Church Unresponsive

Ingamckinley

Hi my name is Liz. I've posted here a while back about a dress question and I got a lot of helpful information. I live in Phoenix, but my wedding will be back in Texas (11/27) so I've never really posted on any local boards. As the planning comes along though I find that I'm using more Phoenix resources than anything.

I don't know how many of you are having relgious ceremonies or going through marriage prep, but I just contacted the catholic church nearby about taking our marriage prep classes there. The priest said that was fine, and I let him know that my wedding was out of state, but now he hasn't gotten back to me.

I'm starting to get nervous because although we're only in May time will run out. I've called and left messages and the receptionist will tell me that the priest will call me back but week after week passes. Should I be worried? Should I just go down to the church again and stalk the priest? Or should I just wait?

FutureMrsL.R.Allen

I would personally go down there, you left numerous messages, you have given them weeks to respond.

NillaWafer10

I would definitely go down there.  You are right about feeling like time will be running out.  The last few months of planning just flies by.  Is there a chance that you can do the counseling through a different catholic church?

mgumms

Any Catholic church can do your marriage prep. I'm Catholic and our classes started Thursday at St. Tim's in Mesa. You may still be able to hop in. The contact person is Jeanie Riccardi. The diocese of Phoenix has three prep requirements: Unitas (what we're in now, a 5 week class), NFP (Natural Family Planning), and God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage (offered as a weekend or a couple Thursday nights). You may only need to meet the requirements for your diocese in Texas, though. I would contact the church you're getting married in first so you know what you need to do and go from there. Good luck. I'm so sorry you're having trouble. I would be so frustrated!

Ingamckinley

I think I'll be heading down there.

I thought I could do the counseling at any church so when I called the one I normally go to they said I couldn't unless I was registered (which I'm not) and that I'd have to go to classes at the church that's geographically closer to me....? Even though that one is just up the street. And the reason I didn't register at that first church is because unlike others where you can just drop in to register, they have these meetings where they register a bunch of people at once. Like a meeting.

Mgumms-I think I'll look into St. Tim's if I can't get any other information by tomorrow.  I already feel like I'm behind on the most important part which are the classes.

I'm trying to keep this whole planning process stress-free, which up to this point has been pretty smooth. So thanks again! Hopefully I'll get some answers

mgumms

You shouldn't need to be a registered parishoner to take the classes, although I'm sure they'd prefer if you were. I know God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage and NFP options at many different churches were offered to us. They wanted to give us lots of time options so we could find something that works with our schedule. I hope you can find something that is similarly accommodating. I know it's a lot of extra work to get married in the church with all the requirements. I know I wouldn't want it any other way for myself and I hope you don't get discouraged like so many brides on the Catholic board seem to. Good luck!

mirm6181

We are getting married out of state and we did our classes through the newman center at ASU.  A lot of couples who went through prep with us were getting married out of state.  We did have to pay an extra fee because we weren't registered parishoners but Carrie, the marriage prep coordinator was very nice and accomodating....