FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does the weekend cost?
2. When do we have to show up on Friday evening?
3. When can we leave on Sunday?
4. Do we have to stay at the Center?
5. What is the best time to attend a CEE weekend?

6. Do we have to be Catholic?
7. Will we be asked/required to share with the group?
8. Do we both have to be Catholic?
9. What if we are already married?
10. How do you handle Cohabitation?

Q1. How much does the weekend cost?
Our weekends now cost $250 per couple. This covers all registration, food, housing and materials. The first $125 of the registration fee is considered a deposit and is used to purchase supplies, food and reserve your rooms. This deposit is not refundable if you cancel within 2 weeks of the weekend (since we have already bought supplies, food, and reserved your rooms). If you need to change the date of your reserved weekend, the complete deposit is transferable to the new weekend.

Q2. When do we have to show up on Friday evening?
Checking in at the Center starts at 6:30 PM. We start promptly at 7:30 PM. If you know you are going to be late, please work out any arrangements with the Registration Couple prior to the weekend. If you are unexpectedly detained the night of the weekend, please call the Nazareth Retreat Center (208) 375-2932 and leave a message for the team couples. Your position is secure and we will get you settled in as soon as you arrive.

Q3. When can we leave on Sunday?
We ask you to please plan on staying at the Center until 1:30 PM Sunday afternoon. Usually we finish around 1 PM, but to be safe - plan to stay until 1:30 PM. If this is a problem, please let the registration couple know before the weekend to make arrangements.

Q4. Do we have to stay at the Center?
Yes - we need you to stay at the Center during the weekend to facilitate the smooth running of our program.

Q5. When is the best time to attend a CEE weekend?
Couples should plan to attend a weekend several (3-6) months before their wedding to obtain maximum benefit. This allows you to completely focus on each other without the distractions on an upcoming wedding.

Q6. Do we have to be Catholic?
No - Although the weekend is Catholic in orientation, couples of all faith expressions are encouraged to take part as they prepare for marriage.

Q7. Do we have to share with the group?
No - The weekend is for you and your fiancé to share with each other. You will not be required to share with the group at all. Out of our eighteen presentations, only three involved the opportunity to share openly with the group - one being just a short introduction ("Hi, I'm Bob and this is my fiancé Karen."), another involving a small group discussion followed by each group reporting its findings back to the whole group, and the third being an open discussion between the engaged couples, with the presenting couples and the priest or deacon only moderating when needed. This does not mean that you won't have the opportunity to meet the other couple and form relationships.

Q8. Do we both have to be Catholic?
No - Even though this is a Catholic Engaged Encounter, we welcome couples of all faith expressions. We are not going to try to convert you or pressure you in anyway. The presenting teams share from their own experiences and encourage all couples to explore their faith, working to build a couple faith together.

Q9. What if we're already married?
If you've been married for less than two years, attending a CEE weekend is still very helpful to your marriage. If you have been married for two or more years, we suggest you look into attending a Marriage Encounter weekend.

Q10. How do you handle Cohabitation?
We are not here to judge couples currently cohabitating, we are here to help all couples preparing for marriage. We present the churches view on marriage and encourage all couples to openly share their feelings on this and all other topics facing today's married couples.