St. Thomas Aquinas Young Adults piloted The Next Step Course in the Fall of 2018. Next Step was created by Discerning Marriage, a support ministry for those single or dating to intentionally pursue the call to Marriage.

"Next Step was created as an intentional discernment program because pursuing further knowledge for the sake of a deeper discernment of marriage is simply the next step in a dating relationship. Next Step is an 8 week program that walks participants through the elements of proximate preparation as designated by Pope St. John Paul II. Participants will be paired with a mentor couple who will accompany them through the program and who will become a trusted resource for knowledge about marriage and family life. (Read more on the Discerning Marriage website here.) 

For dating couples: Due to the purpose of this course and it's intentional form of discernment, we ask that dating couples participate in this 8-week course together. Dating couples will be placed in the same small group.

For singles: We encourage this course for those that are single and intentionally wanting to learn more about this sacrament. When space is available for singles, you will be placed in a small group with other same gendered single adults as well.

Next Step provides those single or seriously dating an opportunity to intentionally discern marriage. You will be placed in a small group with the same mentor couple each week for the eight weeks. The course runs for eight consecutive sessions that meet weekly. Each small group will have about 8 participants along with a mentor couple.

What people are saying about Next Step…

“Overall, my experience with Next Step has been EXCEPTIONALLY positive. I feel so much more prepared to make a holy decision about engagement with my partner. We have learned so much and it has given us a tremendous amount of clarity. These topics are critical to discuss and are no way watery at all. It includes things like family culture, the meaning of sex, healthy communication, finances, and more. It has been incredibly helpful." -Spring 2022 Participant

" I would absolutely recommend Next Step to a friend. It helped me frame my relationship in the lens of our Catholic faith in a really beautiful and healthy way. These things aren't taught to us! This program is a relatively small commitment but I am leaving with huge effects." -Spring 2022 Next Step Participant

“Next Step has helped me gain an understanding of where I am in my relationship and my comfort with where we are going and how we are discerning life going forward. Next Step brought up important conversations that I may not have thought about discussing prior to getting engaged or married, yet they are very important conversations and critical to establishing an understanding of where both my expectations/hopes and those of my boyfriend intersect.” –Spring 2021 Participant

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For questions or if you are interested in becoming a mentor for Next Step, please reach out to Amy Northrop at anorthrop@stadallas.org.