Marriage is an intimate relationship between life and love. In order to assist you effectively and fulfill our pastoral responsibility towards you, time must be made to consider certain convictions. Values need to be clarified before couples may enter into marriage within the Catholic Church. As a faith community, we have a strong uncompromising commitment to permanence in marriage, total giving of self to the other, exclusive fidelity and openness to life.

There is surely an obvious need for Church involvement in marriage preparation with engaged couples to provide both spiritual and human enrichment. Out of this need Bishops of the Catholic Church have established policies for Pastoral Marriage Preparation. Engaged couples are required to receive a sacramental preparation comprising both formational and instructional sessions.

Ideally, programs of pastoral preparation should begin at least one year before the marriage date. Formational meetings are held with a priest or deacon. These sessions should help build the couple relationship, establish a relationship with the priest or deacon, and ensure that the couple intends what the Catholic church intends by the Sacrament of Marriage, so that the grace of the sacrament may bear fruit in the new life which begins on your wedding day.

Preparing for Marriage Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

There are no two persons who would be more conscious of the need for forgiveness and reconciliation than a couple preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. For this reason, we encourage reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of your marriage preparation to benefit more fully from the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage.

Time and Place of the Wedding

Dates and hours are scheduled on a first-come, first served basis. Time is allocated to provide dignity and reverence, and to avoid congestion and conflict with other parish ceremonies. Kindly consult with one of the priests. The wedding ceremony is to be held in the parish church or at the place of worship of another faith community as the case may be. Permission is not granted for garden weddings, ceremonies in parks or other outdoor settings.

Wedding with or without a Mass?

While couples are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage within a Mass, it is also possible to have a ceremony outside of Mass. This is a decision best reached in consultation with the priest/deacon who is preparing you for marriage.

Punctuality

Your punctuality is more than a matter of courtesy to your guests, attendants and the clergy you have asked to officiate. It is a necessity out of consideration for others. Please understand that the priest or deacon witnessing your vows may be forced to tailor your ceremony to accommodate your lateness with other scheduled ceremonies that same day. Rehearsals are, likewise, fitted into a time schedule that includes commitments before and after your own.

Ecumenical and inter-religious Marriages

An ecumenical wedding joins in marriage two baptized members of different Christian churches. An inter-religious marriage involves a baptized Christian and a non-Christian believer.

We encourage ecumenical and inter-religious couples to confer with the clergy of both faith communities. In every way, the integrity of both individual’s faith convictions should be respected.

Provision can be made for a Catholic to be married before clergy of another faith community. The clergy of other churches and synagogues are always welcome to participate in ecumenical weddings.

Any decisions in this regard should always be discussed with the parish priest early in your preparations.

Relatives and Friends as Officiants

Your relatives and friends who are Catholic priests or deacons are always welcome to officiate at your wedding. Please let the priest of our parish know about this decision as soon as it is definite.

It is advisable that the guest priest or deacons conduct his own rehearsal. Please confirm this with the parish.

Altar Servers

If you have relatives or friends who are altar servers at their home parish and would like to serve, please advise the officiating priest.

Music at Your Wedding

Please consult with the Priest presiding at your wedding.

Flowers

We rely upon your good judgment in arranging for flowers and/or ferns. Please consider the necessity of mobility on the part of the members of the bridal party. In any event, your florist should consult with the priest concerning the decoration of the church.

Photographers

Please consult with the Priest presiding at your wedding.

Civil License

You need to apply for a marriage license and present it to the Priest if possible one or two days before your wedding.

Donations

Speak to the Priest presiding your wedding.

Pre-marital Check List

Contact one of the priests.

Natural Family Planning

If you are interested in learning Natural Family Planning (NFP) in preparation for your marriage, please contact Fr. Steffes at 507-437-4537   or visit http://register.ccli.org/ to register for an upcoming course.