Marriage
Congratulations on your decision to get married! Please take a few moments to read the following information so that you can begin to plan a celebration of your wedding that will be meaningful to you and a true celebration in the eyes of the Church.
INITIAL CONTACTS
The first step in a Catholic marriage is to contact the pastor as soon as you make the decision to marry, no less than six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. Although initial information may be obtained by telephone, no marriage date is assured until you, as a couple, have made arrangements in person with the pastor.
Making contact with the pastor in order to begin the various steps of the “Marriage Preparation Program” is to be done before other arrangements have been made with regard to the reception, invitations, honeymoon, etc. Since Saint Catherine of Siena is a parish in the Diocese of Toledo, we will abide by the guidelines set down by this diocese.
Once your wedding date has been established with the Pastor, contact needs to be made with the Parish Musician to secure that date on his calendar and then a date can be made for a meeting to prepare the music for your wedding. Our Parish Musician, Mr. James Riedy, is the parish Organist and is the Organist for all weddings here at St. Catherine.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
You will need to attend a one-day workshop or some other pre-marriage sessions of your choice. Many excellent ones are presented in this area. Please contact the parish priest or office for current information.
You may have had some sort of family life classes or marriage instructions in school. However, at this point in your lives, the new stage of maturity, experience and seriousness of your relationship will allow you to benefit from the special preparation sessions. It is essential that you, along with the priest or deacon who is going to officiate at your wedding, plan together the preparations that are needed.
DOCUMENTS AND GUIDELINES
MARRIAGE AS A SACRAMENT
It is the faith of the Church that when two Christians marry something distinctive takes place. The man and woman who commit themselves to one another celebrate a sacrament. Their marriage is the revealing of God’s love for us in a very powerful way. The love of man and woman is made holy in the sacrament of marriage and becomes the mirror of God’s everlasting love for the world.
Thus, the celebration of Christian marriage is not just the “couple’s day.” It is the day of the Church. The People of God gather to witness the exchange of vows, and to express their support, joy and faith through prayers, acclamations and song. The gathered assembly once again hears through the bride and groom everything that God has to say to the world. As they say to one another: “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life,” we formally call to mind the very covenant that God has made with us. We remember that no matter what, God will never forget about us; nor will God ever abandon us. The words they speak to one another are the words that God speaks to us each day of our lives.
As Catholic Christians we have never been shy about our conviction that material things put us in touch with our God. We use bread, water, wine, oil, incense and fire to remind us of the intense and irrevocable presence of God through Christ to the world.
It is our conviction that in the human flesh of Jesus, God has forever bound himself to the world. Therefore, human flesh has been sanctified...made holy. Our own flesh is the presence of God to the world.
May every marriage ceremony be a reflection of the Source of love that has brought them to this day. May it be a reminder of God’s love for their family and friends who have gathered to witness with joy and prayer their commitment to one another in Christ.
THE USE OF THE CHURCH:
We are happy to have you use the church for your wedding. Please keep these things in mind.
Ordinarily, the time allotted for the use of the church is three (3) hours, namely one (1) hour before the scheduled time of your wedding and two (2) hours after the scheduled start time of your wedding.
- The one (1) hour before is used for decorating, seating of guests and any other necessary preparations.
- Your wedding will begin on time. Normally, a wedding will last 30-40 minutes if it is not a Nuptial Mass, 55-60 minutes if the wedding is celebrated with Eucharist - depending on many variables such as the number of guests attending and the music that you have selected for your wedding.
- The remaining time may be used as you wish - to receive guests, for photographs, etc. However, please be conscious that you will be asked to leave after the two (2) hour time, because of other church services scheduled, such as confessions and Saturday afternoon Mass.
- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED ANYWHERE ON CHURCH PROPERTY. This includes the dressing rooms, the parking lot, and of course in church itself. Any violation of this will result in your ceremony being in jeopardy as well as arrest if caught drinking outside.
- Please be sure all rooms that were used in preparing for your wedding are left in the same condition you found them upon your arrival.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Experience has shown that if you have your reception line at church, there is rarely enough time for photographs. Sometimes photographers have proven to be overbearing, and you will be asked to leave when your time is up. To avoid any difficulties or unpleasantness, please be considerate of these time-lines.
Sanctuary items / furniture, chairs or pews may not be moved, removed or rearranged for photographs or procession.
Group pictures may be taken in church before or after the ceremony in a quiet and dignified manner. This should be pre-planned and not take more than thirty minutes. Respect for the church prohibits smoking, loud talking, laughing, eating or drinking.
The photographer is not to stand between the people and the altar, nor on the altar steps, platform, or choir area, and not on any church pews or other furniture. The balcony may be used. The church is a place of prayer, not a photography studio, nor a place for romantic poses.
Flash Photography is not allowed at any time during the ceremony by the professional photographer nor by any guests.
PLEASE GIVE THE PHOTOGRAPHER A COPY OF THESE DIRECTIVES WHEN YOU FIRST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS; CHECK WITH THE CELEBRANT WELL BEFORE THE CEREMONY IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS ALLOWED.
VIDEO RECORDING
Video recording is permitted if there are no extra lights and the equipment is set up along the north wall.
Only one person will be permitted to record. All others are not welcomed and will be asked to cease. This could be your relative and you should be aware of this and not expect the priest to have to stop them.
PLEASE GIVE THE VIDEOGRAPHER A COPY OF THESE DIRECTIVES WHEN YOU FIRST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS; CHECK WITH THE CELEBRANT WELL BEFORE THE CEREMONY IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS ALLOWED.
FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS
Altar flowers, while not at all necessary, if used at the wedding are considered a donation to the church and should not be
removed after the ceremony. If there is another wedding scheduled for that weekend, you might want to contact the other
couple and discuss splitting the cost of flowers. You may call the office for phone numbers, etc.
Candles on pews are not allowed.
An Aisle Runner is discouraged, in fact is not allowed, as there is the possibility of slipping and injury with its use.
Rice or bird seed is not to be thrown after the Wedding ceremony. It is against the law to have helium balloons that are
let go after the ceremony. We understand that it is dangerous and sometimes fatal to bird life.
Also, the dropping of flower petals is not allowed.
MUSIC AND YOUR MEETING WITH THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
The marriage ceremony is a liturgy of the Church that celebrates God’s love for each of us, the model for the love two people share in marriage. The nature and focus of all Catholic liturgies is the community gathered to celebrate God’s presence. In the presence of this assembly, the couple celebrates a sacrament of the Church which is a reflection of God’s everlasting love for the world.
Music chosen must be appropriate to a liturgical celebration. The music enhances but does not interrupt the rites. Only sacred texts set to artistically sound music will serve to enhance the liturgical action. This includes the prelude music that prepares those assembled for worship.
Secular love songs focus on romantic love between two people and not the fundamental symbol of Christian marriage, God’s love for us. Also, the personal dialog implied in these songs ignores the communal nature of liturgy. These songs are better suited to the atmosphere of the reception, not the wedding liturgy.
Popular inspirational songs from movies, stage or recordings are often beautiful and uplifting but not specifically sacred in nature and may not be suited to a liturgical celebration.
The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner and the Wedding March from A Midsummernight’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn may not be used for weddings.
Consult with the Director of Music about musical selections you are considering before making any final decisions.
The meeting with the Music Director will entail a review of what your ceremony will be like and where music can be used to enhance the ceremony. If you are having a wedding ceremony without a mass, the order of worship will look like this:
Prelude Music (usually 15-20 minutes while guests are being seated)
Entrance Procession
Liturgy of the Word
Old Testament
Responsorial Psalm (Always Sung)
New Testament
Gospel Acclamation (Sung Alleluia and Verse)
Gospel
Homily
Marriage Rite
Prayer of the Faithful
Nuptial Blessing
Dismissal
Recessional
If you will be incorporating your wedding into a full celebration of the Eucharist, your ceremony will be as follows:
Prelude Music (usually 15-20 minutes while guests are being seated)
Entrance Procession
Liturgy of the Word
Old Testament
Responsorial Psalm (Always Sung)
New Testament
Gospel Acclamation (Sung Alleluia and Verse)
Gospel
Homily
Marriage Rite
Prayer of the Faithful
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts
Sung Eucharistic Acclamations
(Holy, Memorial, Amen)
Lord’s Prayer
Nuptial Blessing
Sign of Peace
Lamb of God (Sung)
Communion
Prayer After Communion
Final Blessing
Dismissal
Recessional
All music you select must be appropriate for use in the Church, from the time the people are being seated, until the Recessional, as this celebration is also a form of prayer. Our Music Director will guide you through the Ceremony and help you in selecting appropriate music.
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
The normal musician for any wedding is the Parish Director of Music. Other Cantors or Vocalists are welcome to participate. If they are unknown to the Music Director, they must be auditioned before being allowed to sing. Also, in the rare event that you have a friend or family member who is an experienced church organist you would like to have play, he or she, too, must be auditioned before being allowed to participate. Keep in mind that in doing so, you are obligated to pay the Director of Music a “Vacate the Bench Fee” which is $100. Any outside musicians must also follow our Parish Music policy and all music must be approved by the Parish Music Director.
Other instrumentalists such as a Violinist, Flutist, or Trumpeter are welcome as well. They can add so much to the celebration. Again, if they are unknown to the Director of Music, they must be auditioned before being allowed to participate.
FEES
The normal fee for the use of the Church is $250.00 if you are a parishioner and $350.00 if you are not a parishioner. This will include meetings with the Pastor and proper filing of forms. (Check or money order should be made payable to St. Catherine Church.)
The fee for the Organist is $150. This includes one rehearsal with any singers or instrumentalists.
Any additional rehearsals will be charged at $25 per rehearsal.
Any fees for additional musicians you secure is negotiated between you and the Musician.
ALL FEES ARE TO BE PAID NO LATER THAN ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE OF THE WEDDING DATE.
IF THESE FEES ARE NOT PAID BY THIS TIME, YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY WILL BE IN JEOPARDY.
REVERENCE IN CHURCH
The place in which you are celebrating is a sacred, holy space. It commands the respect and reverence it so rightly deserves.
You are asked to maintain a sense of quiet dignity while you are in church. If you absolutely must talk, please do so quietly. The music that is provided during the time before the ceremony begins is intended to set a sense of reverence for prayer and reflection, not as a vehicle for background music to cover the loud talking and visiting.
It will be the task of your Ushers to ask that your guests, once seated, are quiet and prayerful.
The music that is being played before the ceremony is chosen to help the assembled prepare mentally for a celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Once again, please make sure your Photographer and/or Videographer are aware of the Guidelines pertaining to them while they are in Church. They also need to be reminded that this space again is a sacred space and not a Photo Studio. No items are to be moved for any reason whatsoever.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones are an ever increasing necessity in our culture. We do ask that for the amount of time everyone is in Church, all cell phones be silenced or turned off so as to not distract from the celebration of the Sacrament.
Again, this will be the task of your Ushers to remind your guests to check their Cell Phones.
CONTACT NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS
- Pastor
- Fr. Francis Speier
- Office Phone: 419-478-9558
- Music Director/Organist
- Mr. James R. Riedy
- Office Phone: 419-478-9558