I just got back from St. Josepat's retreat house in Glen Cove. We checked in Friday night at 7:30 and we left today (Sunday)at noon. It was a really great experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone(even if your not Catholic).
I'm not going to go into great details because it is nice to go into it without knowing too much. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask.
Here's a short overview-
There are two lead couples, we had Marilyn and Ray (married 45 yrs. w/ 9 kids) and Meg and Paul (married 10 yrs. no kids). They give presentations on different topics and share their own personal experiences. Then you and your fiance go and write about the topics (which are guided by questions). Then you come back together and share you responses privately. You stay there all weekend w/ no phones or Tvs. It is a great escape from the outside world. The focus is all on you as a couple and your life together.
You share a room w/ another person and share bathrooms (it felt like camp/college), the food is good, and everyone brings some snacks for a sharing table.
Overall we are so happy we made the choice to go for the weekend. I really feel we both got a lot out of it.
Continued success to all...
Sonicstef
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More info?
Ive heard a lot about these encounters..can you post some more info like price? schedule? is there a website? does this replace your precana requirement?
LisaT
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info
We're doing one (in San Francisco) - its $240 per couple. Its part of the pre-cana requirement (though there are different ways to fulfill it).
The website below can provide additional info on programs in NY.
www.engagedencounter.org
tjspidur
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I agree with Heather! I was there this weekend too! What an incredible experience! Ray and Marilyn and Paul and Meg were great! The type of experience that can only make your love grow stronger! We paid I think $325 for the weekend. You can contact the Diocese of Rockville Centre for more info. Great experience!
Heather
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info and hello to Trish!!
It is PreCana, it's just done all in one one weekend instead of over eight weeks or several weekends. The cost is $325, which includes everything.
Hi Trish!
I didn't know you came to this site. I really enjoyed the weekend, and I think it helped that we had a good group.Keep in touch:)
Continued success to all...
Jamie
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info and hello to Heather and Trish!!
I also just came back from the engagement encounter weekend. I promised I would write and let everyone know how this pre-cana format is. I found that although I often spend a lot of time with my fiance (b/c as Heather wrote, there aren't outside distractions: phones, computers etc. I wouldn't pass up an opportunity like that for anything! Especially with our hectic lives during wedding planning. One thing that is different with this format vs. in the home is there isn't as much small group sharing. I think part of me would of liked to share in a group- it normalizes things and puts them into perspective. However, on this weekend most of the sharing is done privately between you and your fiance. My fiance opened up in a way he might not have, had we done the sharing with a group of engaged couples. So I am grateful we did this weekend.
I hope you enjoy and deepen your relationship with your fiance no matter what form of pre-cana you choose to do.
Trish-we're getting married at the same place and we did the same encounter weekend! You have good taste:)
Hi Heather. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you or Trish.
MiniBride
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Good for you!! We had a very similar experience! *NM*
Heather
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Jamie
I actually looked for you because you posted here that you were going. Is your name different than your screen name? I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk.
Jamie
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Re:Heather
My name is different. And I wanted to look for you, but I forgot your name when I was there. But now that I'm back and I see your name I am pretty sure I know who you are. We didn't get to talk at all. I'm sorry about that...it would of been fun! Anyway, my fiance's name is Jim. You can email me at [email protected]
