prepare & enrich
pre-marital ministry
“In marriage, the festive joy of the first day should last for the whole of life: every day should be a feast day; every day husband and wife should appear to each other as new, extraordinary beings. The only way of achieving this: let both deepen their spiritual life and strive hard in the task of self-development.” --Father Alexander Elchaninov
Engaged couples preparing for marriage in the Church have the opportunity to participate in a premarital ministry called Prepare/Enrich, which involves each member of the couple completing an online assessment instrument covering topics such as Core Relationship, Spirituality, Life and Career, Personal Factors, Children and Parenting, and Culture and Family. Committed couples will gain a deeper understanding of dynamics, personality, stress, and strength and growth areas as they receive feedback from a Certified Facilitator. Couples will engage in recommended skill-building exercises in four to eight sessions using Prepare/Enrich’s Workbook for Couples, a copy of which will be given to each person.
Built on 40+ years of ground-breaking relationship research, the Prepare/Enrich assessment and feedback program has been demonstrated to improve relationship skills and satisfaction and lowers a couple’s risk of divorce by 30%.
After referral by Fr. Evan or Fr. Nicholas, the couple will be contacted by the Prepare/Enrich Ministry Leader, The online assessment (each member of the couple completes this assessment separately) takes 30 - 45 minutes, and costs $35 per couple which is paid online directly to Prepare/Enrich. An online donation of $40 to the St. Spyridon Marriage Ministry Fund is also required; this covers the cost of the workbooks and other expenses.