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Couples wishing to celebrate their marriage in the Parish are required to make a booking for the Church, and to contact one of the priests, at least six months prior to their wedding date. A booking fee is payable at the time of booking. Couples will be expected to work with their celebrant to prepare for their wedding. Contact the Presbytery on 50212872.
How to Plan a Wedding
We offer the following liturgical ceremonies:
- Blessing of engagement rings.
- Blessing of the couple on the Sunday before the wedding
- Blessing of the home after the wedding.
Please phone to arrange any of the above.
PRE MARRIAGE PROCEDURE
Choosing and making contact with the priest who will celebrate this marriage.
Couples are encouraged to marry in the Parish Church of either the man or woman preferably with one of the clergy of that parish acting as celebrant. The Church's pastoral role emphasises the importance of preparation for marriage within a faith community. Our priests are happy to be available to work with you if you belong to this parish. You should make contact with one of the priests as soon as possible after your engagement, allowing 12 months prior to the date of your wedding, to make arrangements to meet him and begin your preparation.
The welfare of the couple should be given priority.
WORKING WITH THE PRIEST
The priest you have chosen will want to meet you a number of times - to get to know you, so as to make the celebration of your wedding as personal as possible. He will want to help you use the time leading up to your wedding well, to prepare for a really good marriage. He may request you to participate in activities to assist this. He may assist with sharing an understanding of the Catholic faith, where there is an interfaith context for the marriage. He will want to work with you on preparing the ceremony for your wedding.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
- Birth Certificates
- Baptism Certificates
- Letter of freedom from Parish Priest (if bride or groom is not a resident in the Sacred Heart Parish)
Note also
Priests from other parishes are welcome to perform marriage ceremonies in this parish.
It is the responsibility of the celebrant to ensure that ....
- The couple are free to marry according to the rite of the Catholic Church
- The pre-nuptial inquiry forms (Marriage Declaration Forms for both parties are filled out)
- All documentation both Church and civil, is completed.
- Any necessary dispensations are given.
COST AND PAYMENT
Booking fee for Church
$280 00 payable at the time of booking
(This includes $30 cost for FOCCUS, a pre-marriage program).
Payment for priests services
Payment to the priest should be at least $1 50, payable at the time of booking. (A civil celebrant charges approximately $240.00) A priest spends much more time with the couple than a civil celebrant and should expect a similar payment. It should also be noted that priest does not receive the fee personally, the amount given is paid into a fund for the support of all priests of the diocese.
The priest does not presume to attend the wedding reception unless invited in advance.
If you have chosen a celebrant from outside the Sunraysia area, this clergy fee as well as the booking fee for the Church still applies. (It is proper to offer remuneration to the visiting priest i.e. travel plus offering.)
Music
Payment is by arrangement with the singer and musician direct.
PRE MARRIAGE EDUCATION
Couples are expected to attend the pre-marriage program currently being run in the parish. The priest will give the couple information regarding the program.
SPECIAL NOTES....
Marriage Ceremonies
These will be in accordance with the Rites of the Catholic Church. Priests will provide guidelines to be followed. (appropriate readings, etc.)
Church Music
We believe that the choice of music for the Marriage Ceremony ought express and enhance the Christian vision of marriage. The ceremony should be dignified and prayerful.
Please ask to see the Parish Policy Statement which sets out approved music and also unsuitable music.
Check your choice with the priest.
Wedding booklets:
If you intend to print a Wedding Booklet, a draft is to be shown to the Celebrant before printing.
Church Flower arrangements.
Floral arrangements, pew decorations etc. in the Church are your own responsibility. You are welcome to have simple arrangements of flowers. These may be placed on one or two church pedestals at the rear of the sanctuary, or in the specially designed "seasonal Display box' at the right side of the sanctuary. Please check out its size, etc., and inform the florist, who ought always consult the priests re the placement of flowers.
Candelabra
Only the candelabra belonging to the church may be used. (Two 13-candle branched candlesticks. Hiring fee is $40. White candles can be provided, or your own coloured ones may be used.)
It is important that you arrange for flower and pew decorations to be removed immediately after your wedding.
PREPARATION:
We take your decision to marry seriously
We encourage you to participate well in preparation for your marriage.
You are expected to give this priority over other commitments.
Please notify your guests of the following requirements by printing them on your invitation and in your booklet
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Confetti, flower petals, rice, etc.:
These are not to be used within the church grounds. They cause too much mess and can find their way into the interior of the church.
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Photographs and Videos
Apart from the entrance, the signing of the register and the leaving of the church, photos or videos are to be taken by the official photographers only. Numerous photographs during the ceremony can be intrusive and distracting from the sacredness of the moment.
A thought to ponder...
In view of the large numbers of people today who are unemployed, homeless and hungry....
God bless your marriage. May you never want.
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