Definitely Not! We are not counsellors.
The team share with you some of their experiences of married life, not for you to get to know them well, but to stimulate you to consider and discuss with your fiance things that are relevant to your couple relationship.
Through a series of ideas presented by a team of two trained married couples, the engaged couple is stimulated to discuss privately all aspects of their forthcoming married life. Their discussion is always from the viewpoint of their own relationship. Personal reflection and discussion between the couple becomes the main thrust of the Weekend. Meals together with all of the couples provide group participation.
Definitely Not! There are no group dynamics.
The weekend is specifically designed for private discussion between the couple. However, there are a few opportunities for you to participate in a group discussion if you choose.
No! Any couple is eligible.
No! The emphasis on the weekend is your couple relationship. As most of the team are Catholics, some of their sharings will reflect their own religious faith. The weekend is about Christian values common to all Christian faiths.
No! The weekend is not a bible study course.
To receive the program's maximum benefit, a weekend should be experienced as early as possible, even before the formal engagement if you prefer. However, attendance can be meaningful any time in the engagement. The weekend is not directly a preparation for the wedding day, so it shouldn't be left to the busy period just before the wedding, when there are many distractions and other details to attend to.
Engaged Encounter weekends are held on various weekends throughout the year. The first talk starts on Saturday morning at 8.45am and finishes at 10pm. The Sunday sessions start at 8.45am and the Engaged Encounter weekend concludes at 4pm.
Baulkham Hills. After the couple send in their registration form, a letter is returned with more details including address details of the weekend venue.
The base weekend cost does NOT include accommodation. However, Couples have the option of booking accommodation at the venue on the Saturday night.
You can contact St Joseph's Centre Accommodation and let them know you are attending an Engaged Encounter Weekend.
We ask that you please make every effort to arrive before the start of the Sunday sessions at 8:30am.
The base cost of the weekend is $295 per couple, which does not include accommodation. It does include the following meals:
Morning Tea (Saturday & Sunday)
Lunch (Saturday & Sunday)
Afternoon Tea (Saturday)
Dinner (Saturday night)
Couples may choose to book accommodation at the venue. This is an additional cost and needs to be booked separately with St Joseph's by contacting St Joseph's Centre Accommodation. Please let them know you are attending an Engaged Encounter Weekend.
Couples may also choose to enrol in the FOCCUS program. This is an additional $85 and is only available for couples who register for a weekend.
Please note however that no couple is denied the opportunity of attending a Weekend as funds are available for such purposes. In addition, gift certificates are available and there are opportunities available during the weekend for those who wish to make a donation.
Yes. You can pay via Electronic Funds Transfer or credit/debit card. Our online payment system is supported by Stripe.
Yes you can, although we prefer electronic transfer. Please contact us and we will send you our address and payment details.
Yes. Gift Certificates can be purchased for any amount up to (and including) the cost of the full weekend. These are ideal gifts from family and friends! Please contact us for more details.
As Engaged Encounter is a well regarded international marriage preparation program, it is ideal for couples who may be getting married overseas. Engaged Encounter is the only premarriage course conducted in Australia which is recognised as a valid premarriage course for a Catholic Marriage in either Singapore or the Philippines.
