Marriage Preparation Classes

 

Marriage Preparation courses can be completed either through a self-paced – online program, or by attending any in-person program offered through a Catholic parish, retreat center, or university within, or outside of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, conditioned that such programs fully and thoroughly cover all the core theological, spiritual, practical, and intimate aspects of marriage, in conformity to Catholic doctrine.

Below are the names, links, and information on Ascension Press, (which partners with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to offer marriage preparation programs), along with a listing of two of many other alternative online programs, and a link to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), who provides an extensive listing on all Catholic approved marriage preparation programs and also provides extensive information on all matters relating to Catholic Marriages.

For questions directly associated with any of the below listed online or in-person programs, contact the organization or parish directly. For any other questions on marriage preparation or related issues, please contact the Dcn. Patrick Kennedy.

ONLINE PROGRAMS AND REGISTRATION LINKS

US Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) – For Your Marriage: For Your Marriage

Philadelphia County

Parish Name Address Pre-Cana Format Contact Person Phone Number Email Address 
Maternity BVM 9220 Old Bustleton Ave Phila, PA 19115 All-Day Pre-Cana the Last Saturday in February Deacon Joseph Bernauer 215-317-1002 josephbernauer@yahoo.com
St. Agatha-St. James 111 S 38th St, Philadelphia PA, 19104 Not specified Fr. Remi Morales 267-787-5000 office@saintsaj.org 
St. Cyprian 525 S Cobbs Creek Pkwy Phila, PA 19143 All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring Msgr. Britto 215-747-3150 fabritto10@juno.com 
St. Katherine of Siena 9700 Frankford Ave Phila, PA 19114 All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring DRE 215-637-1464 sksdre99@gmail.com
The Catholic Parishes of East Falls, Manayunk, Roxborough and Andorra Father Sullivan Hall, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 819 E. Cathedral Road Saturday, October 4, 2025
The day begins with registration at 9:30 AM and concludes with attendance at the 5:15 PM Vigil Mass.
To register, please call Holy Family Rectory, 215-482-0450, Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 3 PM.    


Bucks County

Parish Name Address Pre-Cana Format Contact Person Phone Number Email Address
 St. Jude  321 W Butler Ave Pre-Cana Classes Parish Office 215-822-0179 office@st.judechalfont.org   
St. Agnes 445 N. Main Street Sellersville, PA 18960 All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring Deacon Harry and Maryanne Tucker N/A maryannetucker@verizon.net
St. Cyril of Jerusalem 1410 Almshouse Road Jamison, PA 18929 All-Day Pre-Cana Class in March Cynthia Tomassoni 215-343-1288 ctomassoni01@gmail.com 
St. Ephrem 5400 Hulmeville Rd Bensalem, PA 19020 All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring Jen 215-245-1698  
St. Andrew’s Parish  81 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940  November 1st, 2025 and March 2026 Mike McAtee (215) 968-2262 standrewprecana@gmail.com    



Montgomery County

Parish Name Address Pre-Cana Format Contact Person Phone Number Email Address
St. Teresa of Calcutta 256 Swamp Pike Schwenksville, PA 19473 Two Day Format:
Friday, 7:30-9:00pm and Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm

January 16, & 17, 2026.
Deacon Thomas G. Phillips or Shawn Marie Brown 610-287-2525 ext. 100  dps@stteresacalcutta.com
Holy Saviour 407 E Main Street Norristown, PA 19401 Not shared Leti Martelli 610-960-7662 letimartelli@comcast.net
Our Mother of Good Counsel 31 Pennswood Rd Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 2 day sessions(Friday evening and Satuday 9am-7pm), 1 in November& 1 in February Karen Carey 610-574-3544 weddings@omgcparish.net 
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer 1325 Upper State Road North Wales, PA 19454 4 1.5 hours sessions (all dates mandatory) offered during fall and spring https://mmredeemer.org/pre-cana-registration 215-362-7400 https://mmredeemer.org/pre-cana-registration
St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen 1567 Temple Drive, Maple Glen, PA 19002 Friday, October 24th @ 6:30pm with Saturday, October 25th @ 8:30am More info and registration at:https://stalphonsusparish.org/pre-cana    



Chester County

Parish Name Address Pre-Cana Format Contact Person Phone Number Email Address
Saint Elizabeth 110 Saint Elizabeth Drive Chester Springs, PA 18480 2/year Friday evening & all day Saturday Matt Pfeiffenberger 610-646-6550 matthewkarl@stelizabethparish.org
Saint Joseph 338 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335 2/year Friday evening & all day Saturday https://stjosephrc.org/matrimony   



Delaware County

St. John Chrysostom 617 S. Providence Rd. Wallingford, PA 19086 Saturday, October 11, 2025
In person
Greg and Kristina Clark (610) 874-3418 connect@sjcparish.org 
www.sjcparish.org/pre-cana
 
 

Note: If circumstances or cancellation have prevented you from being able to attend a session listed above and you are in need of more options, please contact Dcn. Patrick Kennedy at pkennedy@archphila.org.

While the Office for Life and Family tries to keep this list current, it is possible that there are other in person marriage preparation classes offered in other parishes not listed. You are encouraged to contact parishes close to you for more information. Last updated July 2025.