“I’m sorry to hear he’s over there. I’ll include him in our prayer list at St Joseph’s,” Father Capello offered.

“Thank you. A few more will indeed help. Alex comes from a devout Catholic family, and we want to be married under Catholic vows. I’m Protestant, a Methodist, this is a problem, right?” Jorden shifted in her seat, wondering how he would answer.

“Yes and no,” The young priest replied.

“I do plan to convert. I’ve also agreed to raise our children under Catholicism. This has been a hard decision, but I want to make this marriage work.” Jorden looked solemn. “What’s the next step?”

“First, I’m glad to hear you will convert. This makes quite a difference. There are classes for you and your fiancé to attend together. You will have over a year to plan and schedule your wedding. Are you considering marrying here at St Joseph’s?”

“Yes. Right now I’m teaching in Georgia, but Trenton is my home.”

“Not a problem. Are you coming home for Christmas?”

“I am. I get two weeks off.”

“Good. Give me a call in December. You and Alex need to decide on a date for your wedding. I’ll have time to see what we can work out to get you two set up for classes. Where is Alex from?”

“His home is in Albany, New York. “Will this cause a problem?” Jorden asked.

“No. You may not be able to take the sessions together, but he should be able to set them up at his diocese in Albany. You don’t have to take them together, so it shouldn’t be a problem.” Father Capello reassured Jorden all would work out for their summer wedding.

Jorden felt pleased to have the details coming together. The priest never used the term Pre-Cana, but she figured the sessions he referred to must be the same ones Alex had written about. She assumed Alex’s mother must have made the suggestion.

Tearing herself away from the memory, Jorden’s eyes slid back to Alex’s letter.

Let me try and explain. Pre-Cana conferences are for engaged couples planning to marry. I really want you to go. It’s important to me. They have a lot of good information about Catholic doctrines and general information to prepare for marriage. The sessions will be valuable to you—to us. The Catholic Church considers us a mixed marriage. Doesn’t that sound awful?

The words stung. Jorden sat up and straightened her shoulders. Unbelievable. She would never have thought of them as a mixed marriage. They were both Christians, only on different spectrums of the same religion. Her eyes darted back to his letter.