Marriage Preparation

The choice to marry is a wonderful and exciting one.  Rooted in the love of one person for another, it is one of the highest callings of our humanity.  Saint Paul tells us in his first letter to the Christians at Corinth that the ability to love is the greatest gift.  Saint John tells us that 'God is love,' so when we love another we share in the very being of God.

Once a couple is engaged, we would hope that they would contact our parish soon in order to secure the details of the sacrament as well as the availability of our church and clergy in order to not only make the day special but to plan for the marriage which will last the lifetime and the wedding is only a day.

Requirements

There are forms and requirements that the Church requires for a marriage as it does for any sacrament.  One of only seven moments identified as a sacrament, a marriage is a special life to be lived in love for each other and in the image of God's love for his people, in particular the love of Christ for the Church.  For Catholics, it is hoped that the marriage would take place in the context of a Mass, the sealing of your love in the perfect love of Christ offered for us on the cross.  For a couple who have a member that is non-Catholic, the Mass could be an option, but a ceremony without the Eucharist would be encouraged.  

Pre-Cana

A Pre-Cana session is offered here in our parish, by parish couples once a year.  More information on the dates and availability of the Pre-Cana session is available in our office if it is not listed here.

For more information about requirements and our parish policy, you may find a copy of it to the left or contact one of our clergy or staff through the links to the left as well.

Planning the Ceremony

For the planning of ytour wedding ceremony, the options for the readings that the Church presents are also available in the documents.  They are individualized for each of the readings you may select.  Readers for the first and second reading may be chosen from among family or friends, members of the wedding party, or other invited guests.  They need not be Catholic, but rather comfortable, articulate and having a strong voice to read at the wedding liturgy.  The gospel must always be proclaimed by an ordained minister (either a priest or a deacon).  The Responsorial Psalm is recommended to be sung and almost always is done as such.  The Prayers of the Faithful may be led by another lay reader, with the officiant leading the opening and closing prayers.

A form listing music recommendations will be added sometime in the near future.

The Rehearsal

Usually a rehearsal for all those involved in the ceremony is planned for the evening before the ceremony; this should include the bride and groom, best man and maid of honor, parents, bridesmaids and ushers or groomsmen, readers and anyone else with a role in the ceremony.  The date and time should be arranged with the priest or deacon according to the availability of the church.  It usually lasts about an hour and there is no additional fee for this.