Pre-Cana

Pre-Cana is a day-long marriage preparation program that provides the opportunity for engaged couples to hear from the experiences and insights of married couples and a team priest, connect with other engaged couples from around the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and discuss as a couple various aspects of marriage.

Topics covered at each Pre-Cana include the Sacrament of Matrimony, Communication, Conflict Resolution and Forgiveness, Financial Stewardship, Sexual Intimacy, Natural Family Planning, and Marital Spirituality and Prayer.

Please Note the Following Information:

1. Attending a Pre-Cana program is one component of the marriage preparation process in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, among other components that take place at the parish level. Couples should be working with someone at a local parish on preparations for marriage in the Catholic Church prior to signing up for a Pre-Cana.
2. The cost to attend a Pre-Cana is $60 per couple, which includes lunch and materials.
3. Please register and pay online a minimum of one week prior to the date.
4. For questions about the event details, please contact the lead couple. Information about the day will be communicated by them to all registered participants within a week prior to the program date.
5. For questions about registration and payment or marriage preparation in the Catholic Church, please contact Matt Selby, Director of Adult and Marriage Formation, at [email protected] or 563-556-2580, ext. 233.
6. To request a refund or transfer of registration and payment to a different date/location, please contact Matt Selby at least one week prior to the program. 

Pre-Canas are scheduled on a school-year calendar (August-June). Below are the locations and dates for the 2024-2025 school year. To view more information about each Pre-Cana site and to register online, please click on the city name below.

• Sunday, August 4, 2024 (New Hampton)
• Saturday, September 21, 2024 (Cedar Rapids)
• Saturday, October 19, 2024 (Spanish)
• Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Cedar Rapids)
• Saturday, November 9, 2024 (Dubuque)
• Saturday, January 25, 2025 (Cedar Falls)
• Sunday, January 26, 2025 (New Hampton)
• Saturday, February 8, 2025 (Mason City)
• Saturday, February 15, 2025 (Dyersville)
• Saturday, February 22, 2025 (Dubuque)
• Saturday, March 1, 2025 (Ames)
• Saturday, March 15, 2025 (Cedar Rapids)
• Saturday, April 5, 2025 (Dubuque)
• Saturday, April 26, 2025 (Spanish)
• Saturday, May 3, 2025 (Ames)
• Saturday, May 17, 2025 (Dubuque)
• Saturday, June 7, 2025 (Cedar Rapids)