Marriage

The Marriage of a couple is a sacred and grace-filled experience, a perosnal encounter with Jesus Christ. We welcome couples from the Parish who are desiring to be married in the Catholic Church to be a part of our Marriage Preparation Program. Upon engagement and decision to marry, we request that you first contact the Parish Rectory to ascertain the availability of the marriage date.

A one year preparation program is required by our Diocese for all couples. The engaged couples generally meet with the Pastor on 5 or 6 occasions to complete the necessary paperwork and discuss the dignity of the Sacrament of Marriage in the Church. All couples also must take a personal inventory assessment called "Focus." At a later date, the engaged couple meet with a designated married couple from the Parish for discussion. Finally, a Pre-Cana workshop or an Engaged Encounter Weekend is required.

At the initial session with the Pastor, the couple is required to bring along a recent Baptismal Certificate from the Churchs of their Baptism. This is not required for those who were baptized at St Paul's.

A list of qualified and approved organists and musicians will be provided. It is important that Spiritual nature and dignity of the Wedding Mass be preserved by the selection of appropriate music.

WEDDING COORDINATORS

Two of our parishioners, Nadine Richer and Heather Korenczik, serve as our Parish's "Wedding Coordinators." The wedding coordinator serves the priest-celebrant (or deacon) and the engaged couple in the actual wedding ceremony preparations. They arrange and conduct the rehearsal ceremony and are available at the wedding to assist the couples with last minute details. Additional roles of the Wedding Coordinator are: to advise the couple on floral arrangements for the Church; to offer suggestions concerning a wedding booklet; to aid the couple in seeking out resources, e.g. florist, photographer, videographer, etc. and to assist the priest/deacon at the liturgy. One of the coordinators is assigned to collaborate with the couple as they prepare for their important day. The designated offering for the wedding coordinator is $50. and is paid directly by the engaged couple at the rehearsal.