The Sacrament of Matrimony
The Christian is called to a love relationship with Jesus. In this relationship we reach to each other in love, supporting each other in good times, in bad, in sickness and in health. Marriage is a microcosm of the relationship between God and the Christian community. In marriage, two people become other Christs for each other, seeking the good of the other first. In fact, the Christian marriage cannot exist outside of the support of the Christian community. The couple and their children are part of the Christian community in worship, action and belief. Their love should explode outward not only to other Christians but also to the world at large. They are to be other Christs bringing the Good News of salvation to all.
The union of two people in a Christian marriage mirrors the love of the three divine persons for each other and the love that exists between God and man. This love goes beyond the emotional high of being in love. In a Christian marriage the two people share who they are with each other. They encourage the best in each other. They take responsibility not only for the well being of each other and their family but also for bringing about the Kingdom of God upon earth. With God they are the defenders and givers of life. Though they rejoice and give thanks for the good times, they also unite the pain and suffering which comes in every marriage to the pain and suffering of Christ thereby transforming their love into Jesus act of redeeming love for all mankind. The Christian community cannot exist without the Christian marriage.
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FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE WISE DECISION TO EXCHANGE THEIR MARRIAGE VOWS AND CONFER UPON EACH OTHER THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
- The Secretary can provide you with a tentative date for your wedding, however, ONLY a priest can give you a firm date.
- If both parties are baptized Christians each one must provide the priest with a certificate of baptism. For Catholics the certificate must not be more than six months old. Certificates can be obtained from the church where your baptism took place.
- The couple must be properly prepared for marriage. This means participation in the marriage preparation program approved by the priest who will preside at the marriage.
- Catholics are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) prior receiving the Sacrament of Marriage.
- If you wish to have an organist play at your wedding it is your responsibility to engage one. Call the parish Secretary for suggestions. Sacred music only during the liturgy in the church.
- As for flowers in the sanctuary, it is your privilege to provide them or go with whatever arrangements may happen to be there at the time.