FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
Have a Question?
Review the below frequently asked questions or please reach out directly to your community for more specific information. Note: each community has their own specific venue and schedule.
What happens on the weekend?
Through a series of presentations of life experiences by married couples and a priest, the engaged couples are guided to discuss privately many aspects of their forthcoming married life. Personal reflection and discussion between each couple is the main focus of the weekend. (Read more on the About the Weekend page)
Who can register?
The weekend is open to any engaged couple wanting to prepare for a deeper, more meaningful life together and who are considered “free to marry” according to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
What do we wear?
Please wear comfortable, casual clothing.
Do we need to bring anything with us?
No. We will provide everything; notebooks and pens will be supplied.
Do we have to stay for the entire weekend?
It is mandatory that you stay for the entire weekend. If you arrive late or leave early you will miss important parts of the weekend experience, and we will not be able to give you your weekend certificate and letter verifying your attendance. Please do not leave the weekend, for any reason, unless an emergency arises. If you need to leave, please speak to one of the team members.
Will we have much free time this weekend?
No, the weekend is designed to concentrate your time on preparing for your lifetime together. You may find that you’ll have to stay up later and get up earlier than you typically would on a weekend. Don’t worry, there will be breaks in the schedule.
When does the weekend start and end?
Each community is different – some weekends start Friday night and some Saturday morning. Contact your community directly for the specific start time and end time for your weekend.
Is there an emergency number?
If you need to contact the facility because of an emergency, or if someone needs to get hold of you in an emergency, please use the phone numbers listed on the Community page.
What will the Accommodations be like?
Contact your community directly for all the specific information regarding your place of accommodations.
Can you accommodate to my special dietary needs?
Our venues will do their best to accommodate your needs – but we cannot guarantee that we can meet all requirements. You must first inquire about any special needs with the registration contact for the community.
Is Catholicism pushed?
No! The emphasis on the weekend is your couple relationship. While CEE is presented from a Catholic perspective, it does not aim to convert anyone. The weekend deals with values common to all Christian faiths.
Do you offer Online courses?
Yes, however CEE weekends are designed to be attended in person, in a peaceful setting away from daily distractions. In-person weekends provide you time to focus on one another with minimal interruptions to foster the personal connections that cannot be obtained online. You are eligible for a virtual weekend if one of you is living far away, travel exceeds 3 hours, transportation is not available, no community is available near you, or there is a physical or medical reason you cannot attend in person. Please see the Virtual Weekends page.
Are we welcome at a different community other than where we live?
Yes. Communities and districts will consider accepting couples from outside their designated area.
What if we cannot afford the course?
Please contact your community coordinators. Special consideration in providing financial assistance for registration is offered on an individual basis to those in need.