SACRAMENTS - MARRIAGE

All love comes from God, and all love reflects the love that God has for His creation. The Sacrament of Marriage is, first and foremost, a sign and symbol of this love. Marriage is a Sacrament of the self-giving love which two people offer to each other. The love which a couple have for each other mirrors the love God has for men and women.

The joy and mutual support of married love can be a source of strength which enables married people to serve others in a very powerful way. It should spill out to their children and to those around them and become a source of life, hope and comfort for others. This is reflected in the blessing which the priest often gives the newly-married couples, saying:

"May you always bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that the afflicted and the needy will find in you generous friends and welcome you into the joys of Heaven."

Sponsor Couples for Christian Marriage Preparation
Married couples in the parish are available to assist newly engaged couples to prepare for the sacrament of Marriage. Using the program For Better & For Ever, the sponsor couple journeys with the engaged couple through a series of five meetings that cover a range of topics in Christian married life. Any engaged couples that would like to participate in this program should contact Anne Shingler.

If you are a married couple that would like to volunteer with this program, working with 1-2 engaged couples per year, please contact Pat or Jane Gallagher at (703) 360-4543 or patrick.j.gallagher@verizon.net.

Plan Your Wedding at Good Shepherd
To begin your wedding preparation at Good Shepherd, please contact Anne Shingler in the parish office at least one year in advance, to allow sufficient time to secure your preferred date and for adequate planning. The minimum diocesan requirement for preparation is six months. Preparation includes:

• Intake session—receive guidelines
  
• Meetings with a deacon or priest
  
• FOCCUS inventory
  
• Weekend Engaged Encounter
• Sessions with a parish sponsor couple
• Time to plan your special wedding liturgy