How does the Church evangelize lapsed, cohabitating, contracepting, fornicating couples who want a Catholic wedding?

[setter]

Any ideas, since this seems to be the majority norm nowadays for couples seeking a Catholic wedding? Also, does the evangelization end with the wedding day?

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Most Pre-Cana programs (that’s what they are called in this neck of the woods anyway) address all the above. Nobody is singled out but the Catholic norms and requirements and the good reasons why these are norms and required are given. Lots of prayer and love, and good examples (other couples who are firm in faith, especially if they started out weak) with plenty of encouragement and with followup can help. Rome wasn’t built in a day so it might not be that these couples will start out to change all the bad habits. . .but a good combination of education, a huge helping of love and understanding, a strong focus on the joys and the positives of the faith can help. And prayer, always prayer.

 

[1ke]

That is set at the diocesan level, and individual parishes also have lattitude in how the implement the proximate preparation for marriage.

In the US, the preparation process spans 6 months and typically includes individual private meetings with the pastor/deacon which covers a wide range of topics and preparation. The individual meetings are supplemented by an Engaged Encounter retreat, sponsor-couple program, or Pre-Cana classes, or their own diocesan-developed classes.

Our diocese uses their own internally developed workshop program that is led by facilitator couples & a priest.

Some diocese use the FOCCUS test and some use Myers-Briggs instruments to counsel couples on communication skills.

There is no one answer to this question. Each pastor has his own method of educating and counseling couples. Each parish and diocese has their own program that sets out the minimum guidelines for preparation.

 

[Wendy-Kay]

Family and friends really need to step up to the plate, too. We should not be afraid to correct and admonish one another. We should make every effort to grow in our knowledge of the faith and live up to our confirmation commitments. We should feel scandalized in regular going-ons of present day so choke out the weeds of pantheism and gratituous hedonism that attack our innocence and imaginations every time we step out of the door. And make our homes a sanctuary of godliness. Even network TV is an abusive assault on ourselves and our children.
No longer are any of the things mentioned looked upon as “evil” anymore, esp fornication and unmarried peoples living together. Maybe if we treated those that actively and openly participate in mortal sin as souls in grave danger and a danger to the souls of those around them (instead of being fearful that we may come off as intolerant or insensitive) people would be less tempted or inclined to such behavior. We ought not accept sinful lifestyles.
My memaw used to always say, ‘it is or it ain’t’. In other words, you are in the right or the wrong, not ever in between because of subjective feelings. It does a terrible disservice when you treat someone that is doing wrong like they are doing something right. While we may not judge the state of another’s soul before God, we have the duty to judge actions and react (with charity) accordingly. I wish I had someone to have been strong enough to admonish and correct me in my late teens and early twenties.
Sorry for mispellings. I am pecking with a baby on the hip.

 

[jack_hawkins]

or even worse couples who want to get their child baptised even though they aren’t married?
we ned God’s wisdom
of course it’s the priest’s decision not mine but I don’t think sacraments should be given on demand, esp as sometimes in the UK it is just to get the child a place in a Catholic school (far superior to state education)