Catholics - Pre Cana

mt4sbwy

Where did you do it?  How did you get there?  FI and I live in Cambridge and don't drive, we're too young to rent a car, and as far as I can tell there's no mass transit out to Waltham, Lynn, and Revere that runs when we'd need it to.  The lady who runs things at our church won't tell me anything until we've registered, including price (!) and I really need to know that for our budget.  Not to mention we need to get into a program!

Also, any advice on dealing with the church?  I've been trying to find out basic policy information literally since February and every time I ask she asks me if I have a pre cana program yet.  I need to know this information!

bostonbride214

Check this site out...it may help with finding a pre cana class: http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Offices-And-Services/Office-Detail.aspx?id=11654&pid=478

Not sure what you are looking for in regards to "basic policy" though...let us know the specific info you need and we may be able to help...GL!

mt4sbwy

FI and I have already spent some time going over that page.  The closest option is in Roslindale over Halloween, and I cannot wait that long to get any information on the church.

I need to know what my particular church allows/doesn't allow in terms of decorating, photography, and music, whether it will be a problem if nobody in the wedding party (other than FI and I) is Catholic, and how much they charge for the church rental and organist.

We're active parishioners and don't want to be married anywhere else (my family is agnostic and the priest at his family church is offensive and misogynistic and uses incense in excess), so I feel very stuck, but there's nothing else I can do until I know how much of our budget is going to be absorbed by the church.

bostonbride214

It sounds like you need to speak directly with your priest...that's where we got all of our answers. Before we could even confirm our date with the church, we needed to meet with the priest that was marrying us.

On a side note, we didn't have to pay a rental fee (we are active parishioners) only a monetary donation to the church - the organist and soloist singers were an additional fee - booked directly with them and not through the church. We had simple pew decorations - our church did not allow an aisle runner and we made the choice not to do a unity candle...overall our "church costs" were less than $1,000.

Kim12407

We did ours at St. Paul's right in Cambridge. We had such a great experience there, it was just one day (8am-4pm), and $50 registration fee. I can put you in contact with Father George Salazman who runs it, if you are interested - he is such a sweetheart! PM me if you want more info!

ScarlettBride

We went to the Paulist Center in Boston.  It's right next to the common and the pre-cana program is 1 day only.  I would definitely recommend it.

goldiegirl423

We are going to the Paulst Center as well, based on the recommendation from my cousin and his wife.  Here is the webpage with the dates on it: /www.paulistboston.com/release_details.asp?id=38

agulla23

we just went to Pre-Cana this past weekend actually, it was put on by the Archdiocese of Boston but it took place at their "headquarters" in Braintree across from the South Shore Plaza.  Its kind of a pilot program I guess, it was pretty good 2nd day was better than the 1st, a lot of info discussed but the class was really large (like 36 couples)

We had to meet with the priest before setting a date for the wedding, it was pretty laid back though.  They had recommended we use their marriage prep program but it didnt work with our times so he gave us the website www.familylifeboston.com and then click on the "marriage preparation" box.  I know one of his requirements was that he had to approve of the class so I would make sure it "passes" with them before you spend the money for a pre-cana class.

Hope this helps!  Good luck!

lesleyb01

the Espousal Center in Waltham is great. 

Espousal Retreat Center
Marriage Preparation Program
781-209-3120

Here is the blurb from my church's wedding handbook:

"Within the Archdiocese of Boston, there are various places where preparation sessions are offered. A list of these can be found at www.rcab.org. Then go to the third tab at the top of the “home page” (Offices/Ministries). Scroll down and click on “Family Life Office.” Then click on “Marriage Preparation.” Each couple should call and inquire as to availability. Early planning brings better results."