Initial Concerns  


Does Engaged Encounter Satisfy the Catholic Church's Requirement for Marriage Preparation?
Within the Diocese of Omaha, Engaged Encounter is endorsed by the Family Life Office as fullfilling this requirement. Family Life Office Mairrage Preperation Our program is also frequently accepted in other Dioceses and states. Whether in Omaha or elsewhere, your priest always has the final say on what he will accept for your marriage preparation. Please check with the priest who will officiate your wedding before registering. At the conclusion of the weekend, you will receive a letter to give to your priest verifying your participation.

What if We Are Civilly Married?
After you meet with your priest and he schedules your wedding, you are welcome on the weekend as you prepare for your sacramental marriage within the Church. If you intend to just stay civilly married, then we suggest a Marriage Encounter Weekend. This is a similar weekend oriented to improving communication for couples already married.


Do We Have to Speak In Front of the Group?
No. Engaged Encounter is non-threatening. There will be only two group discussion periods, one short and one longer. Discussion is voluntary. No one is forced to speak out. The weekend is not group therapy. Your privacy will be respected. The weekend is not counseling nor is it based on group discussions. The weekend is designed for the two of you to have quality time for private discussions.


What does a weekend cost?
The current cost is $200* (please see below if you have already paid the $85.00 fee to the Omaha Diocese) per couple. This $200 fee covers your rooms, meals, and materials for each of you. (Please eat before your arrival Saturday as breakfast is not served.) This fee can be paid online by credit or debit card, or through the mail by regular check. We are unable to hold a spot for you on a given weekend date until payment is received. Online payments are confirmed immediately. If you make a payment by mail you will receive an e-mail confirming your registration. Please see the "Weekend Ground Rules" page for details. Scholarships are available. Have your priest call our Reservation Couple at 402-558-6884 to begin the scholarship process. No couple will ever be turned away because of lack of funds.

*Many couples (in the Omaha Archdiocese) have already paid an $85 education fee at the Marriage Preperation Pre-Session where they took the FOCCUS test. This $85 applies toward the CEE weekend since CEE fullfills the Omaha Diocese requirement of education in marriage prep. Therefore, if you have already paid this $85.00 fee, please simply print out the registration form, fill it in, and send it along with the $115.00 payment to our Registration Couple who will confirm both upon their receipt via e-mail. Please see the 'Contact Us' page for their address. Our website only accepts $200.00 payments and that is why we must have you send in your registration form and remaining balance if you have already paid the $85.00 education fee at the Pre-Session. Both Omaha CEE and the Family Life Office highly encourage you to register and pay the full $200 amount for CEE on-line, if you know you will be attending a CEE weekend to fullfuill your education requirement, BEFORE you attend the FOCCUS Mairrage Prep Pre-session. Omaha CEE and the FLO work closely to confirm your payments with each other.