The role of Sponsor/Mentor Couples is to provide engaged couples with a positive witness of the lived experience of marriage and help them connect with the parish community. Sponsor couples accompany engaged couples toward a deeper relationship with God, the Church
The sponsor couple also facilitates conversations with the engaged couple on topics pertinent to marriage, witnessing to God’s plan for marriage through sharing their lived experience and the teachings of the Church. An engaged couple typically meets for multiple sessions with a sponsor couple who is trained to assist them in preparing for marriage by helping the couple reflect upon the realities of married life. The number of sessions the sponsor couple will have with the engaged couple depends on the needs of the couple and the materials being used. The mentorship relationship should not end after the last session is complete, nor on the day of the wedding. As both couples are willing, sponsor couples should stay connected after the wedding in order to continue to mentor them as they begin their married life together.
Training, resources, guidance, and ongoing formation opportunities should be provided for sponsor couples to help them strengthen their marriage, learn about the teachings of the Church on marriage, and understand the sponsor couple role.
For assistance with sponsor couple training and formation, please contact Matt Selby at m.selby@dbqarch.org or 563-556-2580 ext. 233.