Marriage

Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church seeks to promote the dignity of marriage in a
variety of ways, not least by equipping parishioners to live out their sacramental
vocation with confidence and joy. We do this by offering workshops, retreats, and
courses designed to educate married couples about the meaning, function, and ethics
of their spousal calling as well as providing personal accompaniment in their journey.

Saint Mark offers its cycle of marriage workshops and retreats several times a year.
Engaged couples are required to attend both workshops as well as the marriage retreat
as part of their marriage formation process. Engaged couples are also paired with
marriage mentor couples who journey with them not only up to the wedding but during
the beginning of their marriage relationship as well. For those seeking personal
instruction and assistance in regulating their fertility by natural and moral means, Saint
Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church recommends the fertility coaching offered by
Reproductive Health Management.

REQUIRED: Please register for the workshops and the marriage retreat using the link below.

Marriage Workshops

An Overview of the Sacrament of Marriage provides couples with a biblical
framework of the design and Christian significance of their vocation as husband and
wife. This workshop connects the biblical theology of marriage, the liturgy of the
wedding, and day to day living as husband and wife within the great mystery of Christ’s
love for the Church. It is offered three times throughout the year on Sunday mornings as
a one-hour session. Sessions take place from 9:00-9:45am in the Saint Patrick Room. 

Workshop I (Please select one): 

• Sunday, March 22, 2026

• Sunday, September 20, 2026

• Sunday, December 6, 2026

• Sunday March 21, 2027

Crucial Conversations for Couples presents couples with practical tools for communication
and provides them with the opportunity to begin practicing constructive communication. This
course is designed to help spouses identify effective versus ineffective patterns of
communication for developing and enjoying a vibrant communion of persons. This two-hour
session is offered on three Saturday mornings throughout the year. Sessions take place from 9-
11am in the Saint Mark room.

Workshop II (Please select one):

• Saturday, June 13, 2026

• Saturday, October 10, 2026

• Saturday, February 13, 2027

Marriage Retreat

This retreat incorporates Pope John Paul II’s now famous Theology of the Body lectures to remind men and women of the wonder and goodness of their creation as man and woman and to encourage them with an overview of the grace contained within every authentic marriage. This joyful retreat provides all couples with an opportunity to rekindle and better understand the beauty within their marriage and provides engaged couples with an opportunity to meet with the Director of Music and Wedding Coordinator to plan their wedding.

Marriage Retreat Day (Please select one):

• Saturday, August 1, 2026

• Saturday, November 14, 2026

• Saturday, January 30, 2027

• Saturday, July 17, 2027

Marriage Retreat Itinerary

12:30pm    Wedding & Reception Nuts and Bolts
1:00pm      Sacramentality of Marriage
1:45pm      Break
2:00pm     Music & Liturgy
2:30 pm    Theology of the Body

3:00pm     Intimacy & Fertility
4:00pm     Vigil Mass
5:00pm     Happy Hour & Hors d’oeuvre at Fr. Wards Rectory with couples from parish

Planning Your Wedding

Wedding Guidelines

Couples need to begin their preparation at least six months in advance. Please fill out the below form to have your date approved.

Lisa Satterfield, Marriage Coordinator  |  marriage@stmarkrc.org

Wedding Day Coordinator: Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church will assign a wedding day coordinator four months prior to the scheduled date of a couple’s wedding to assist them in planning this most important liturgy of the Sacrament of Matrimony.