• Answer Sheet (PDF) Download the Answer Sheet, load your parish information, then print as many copies as needed.
• Convalidation Answer Sheet (PDF) Note: This answer sheet should be used with the Convalidation Inventory. Please make sure you have Convalidation Materials before you download this answer sheet. Click here for more information about our Convalidation Inventory.
• Mentor Couple Feedback Form (PDF)
• Sample welcome letter to engaged couple 

• Catholic Identity Supplement (PDF)
• Financial Supplement (PDF)
• Infertility and Adoption Supplement (PDF)

These can be purchased at the parish level. Reach out to [email protected] if assistance is needed.

• Catholic Church’s Teaching on the Barrier Methods of Contraception (PDF)
• Catholic Church’s Teaching on Sexuality (PDF)
• Seven Reasons Why Living Together Before Marriage is Not a Good Idea (PDF)

Video

• Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on a Marriage –

Handouts/Articles

•  Chemical Dependency Self-Evaluation[PDF]
• Al-Anon, Is it for You? [PDF] 

Handouts/Articles

• Resources for Facilitators on After the Wedding [Link]

Video

• Q & A About Blended Families – Video

Blended Family Video Series

• Blended Family – Part 1 – Children’s Needs vs Couple’s Needs 6:59
• Blended Family – Part 2 –  Role of Stepparent  / Discipline  5:40
• Blended Family – Part 3 – Legal Battles  7:59
• Blended Family – Part 4 – Maneuvering Holidays & Last Thoughts  6:32

Handouts/Articles

• The Effective Stepfather:  A Check List to Live By – Article
• Men: Tips to Lead Your Stepfamily Well – Article
• How to Bond With Your Stepfamily: 5 Tips – Article
• How to Build a United Front as a Stepcouple

Supplemental Reading

• Amoris Laetitia – Chapter 4
• Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life:  Pastoral Guidelines for local Churchs

Below are links to church documents used in the Facilitator’s Guide.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Code of Canon Law
• The Dignity of a Persons, Dignitas Personae (9-8-2008)
• The Gift of Life, Donum vitae (2-22-1987)
• The Gospel of Life, Evangelium vitae (3-25-1995)
• The Apostolic Exhortation on the Family, Familiaris Consortio (11-22-1981)
• Pastoral Constitution on the Church, Gaudium et spes (12-7-1965)
• Letter to Families, Gratissimam Sane (2-2-1994)
• Declaration on Christian Education, Gravissimum Educationis (10-28-1965)
• Of Human Life, Humanae vitae (7-25-1968)
• On Human Work, Laborem Exercens (9-14-81)
• Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium (11-21-1964)
• Marriage in Christ: The Sacrament of Faithful, Life-Long Love (5-1-1999)
• Married Love and the Gift of Life (11-14-2006)
• Life Giving Love in the Age of Technology

Videos

•  Two Questions for Every Engaged Couple – From the Diocese of Sioux Falls – Straight talk from Fr. Joseph Vogel as he discusses cohabitation and promiscuity, giving insight into what is really important for engaged couples to consider and what will bring them true happiness in marriage.
• How Life Before “I Do” Impacts Lasting Love 1:23:16 – Sliding vs Deciding by Dr Scott Stanley – University of Denver – the negative effects cohabitation has on commitment to marriage.

Handouts/Articles

• Sliding vs Deciding by Dr Scott Stanley – University of Denver
  • Article – This article is loaded with links to studies and scholarly articles on the negative effects cohabitation has on commitment to marriage.
• Kansas Bishops Statement on Cohabitation [Link]
• Resources for Facilitators on Cohabitation [Link]
• 7 Reasons Why Living Together is NOT a Good Idea

• The Downside of Cohabiting Before Marriage – New York Times [Link]
• Is Cohabitation Stable?
• Aggression in Twentysomethings’ Cohabiting, Dating, and Marriage Relationships

Using the Speaker / Listener Technique  – of communication and conflict resolution.  This technique can use the communication cross as its foundation.  (Couple’s Workbook page 10.)

The Power of Positive Communication

Videos

• NFP is…?
• Catholic Teaching on IVF and Contraception Explained with Fr Michael Schmitz
• Bishop Barron on Contraception and Social Change
• Why we don’t use contraception in our marriage
• Made for Each Other

Handouts

• Catholic Church’s Teaching on the Barrier Methods of Contraception (PDF)
• Catholic Church’s Teaching on Sexuality (PDF)
• Seven Reasons Why Living Together Before Marriage is Not a Good Idea (PDF)
• Resources for Facilitators on Handling Contraception [Link]
• Why Natural Family Planning Differs from Contraception

Handouts/Articles

• Convalidation:  Bringing Your Marriage into the Church

Videos

• Can a Catholic Marry a Non-Catholic?  – Fr Michael Schmitz

Handouts / Articles

•  Ecumenical Guidelines for Catholics Marrying Other Christians – Diocese of St. Cloud

Video

• Catholic Teaching on IVF and Contraception Explained – Fr Mike Schmitz

Articles

• Catholic Miscarriage Support

• Facing Infertility: A Catholic Approach

• What Do I Say to a Friend Who Had a Miscarriage?

Video

• NFP is…? 
• Family of The Americas – Natural Family Planning
• Made for Life:  Children
• Why We Love Natural Family Planning
• Catholicism & Birth Control with Jason Evert
• Video Series from Diocese of Phoenix
• Videos from Mercy Fertility & Archdiocese of St Louis:
• NFP The Natural Choice for Family Planning
• NFP for Woman’s Health
• NFP The Natural Choice for a Strong Relationship

Handouts/Articles

• NFP, the Theology of the Body, and Our Marriage
• Why Natural Family Planning Differs from Contraception
• List of NFP National Providers with links (USCCB)
• NFP General info and NFP Various Methods explained: from Archdiocese of St Louis

Video

• Porn Struggles – Jason Evert 

Handouts/Articles

• Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography from USCCB
• Resources for Facilitators on Pornography’s Effect of Married Couples [Link]
• Integrity Restored [Link]
• ReClaim Sexual Health {link]
• Pornography’s Effects on Marriage and Hope for Married Couples [Brochure from USCCB]
• For Porn – There is No Vaccine –  Article
• Covenant Eyes

• Couple Forgiveness Prayer
• Mentor Couple Prayer
• Nuptial Blessing
• How to Pray With Your Spouse: Four Simple Steps

Opening Prayers

• Section 1 – Differences
• Section 2 – Division of Labor
• Section 3 – Recreation
• Section 4 – Family of Origin
• Section 5 – Communication
• Section 6 – Conflict Resolution
• Section 7 – Catholic Identity
• Section 8 – Finance
• Section 9 – Intimacy
• Section 10 – Infertility & Adoption
• Section 11 – Catholic Parenting
• Section 12 – Vocations and Careers
• Section 13 – Sacrament of Marriage
• Section 14 – Ecumenical Marriage
• Section 15 – Second Marriage
• Section 16 – Blended Family

Videos

• The Greatest Miracle – Animation Movie explaining about the value of Catholic Holy Mass.
• Confessing the Same Sins Over and Over Again – Fr. Michael Schmitz
• Going to Confession for the First Time in a Long Time Fr Michael Schmitz
• The Veil Removed – The Veil Removed is a short film that reveals the coming together of heaven and earth at Mass, as seen by saints and mystics, revealed by scripture and in the catechism of the Catholic Church.
• The Apple of God’s Eye – Simply depicts what happens in the Holy Mass and especially at the time of consecration
• The Price of Forgiveness – by Fr Michael Schmitz

Videos

• How To Save Your Second Marriage Before It Starts from Dr Paul Jenkins

• Financial advice for second marriage from Dave Ramsey

Second Marriage Video Series

• Second Marriage Part 1 – Differences & Insights  9:17
• Second Marriage Part 2 – Finances  11:11
• Second Marriage Part 3 – Realistic Expectations & When is “Too Soon”  6:01

Handouts/Articles

• Second Marriages from USCCB ForYourMarriage.org

Video

• Using the Couple’s Workbook

Video

• Saying I Do:  What Happens at a Catholic Wedding

Handouts/Articles

• Resources for Facilitators on Wedding Finances [Link]
• Cost of a Wedding – Article
• Budgeting for Your Wedding
• Planning a Catholic Wedding – a series of articles on many topical areas from the USCCB
• Using a crucifix as part of the wedding ceremony

Audio – Pod Cast

• Yes, we’ll talk about Bruno (and wedding Planning)