ManRIAGE - Holy Family Catholic Church

CEIEeRATING
ManRIAGE
GUIDELINESFOR
WEDDINGS
Holy FamilyCatholicChurch
Arlesia,California
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the parish community of Holy Family
Catholic Church, we congratulate you on your decision to
give yourselves to one another in Christian Marriage.
As a sacrament of the Church, Christian Mariage reveals how God himself loves us, through the permanent,
faithful and life-giving love of the Lord for his people. It is
for that reason that your vocation in the Church is so important and so special.
Becausewe look upon this moment in your lives with
such importance, it is only natural that the preparation for
this life long experienceis one that we take most seriously
as a Church. We believe the information provided in this
booklet will be a helpful assistance to you in initiating the
planning of both your 'mariage' and "wedding'. Certainly,
the day of your wedding is one that will hotd wonderful
memoriesfor you as the years unfold.
Finally, marriage never takes place in isolation. It ig
from the nurturing environment of families that we come
forth to reach out to continue the cycle of love and life. It is
in the midst of the family of faith and this parish community to which you belong that this moment of commitment
will be celebrated. It is our hope that your rclationship with
us will continue beyond this moment so that now united together in love you might contribute to the building up of the
body of Christ in our midst.
May the Lord bless you in your love for one another.
Tte Priests & Pari.sh Stalf of HolA Familg Cdtholic Clurch.
INDEX
REQUIREMENT5:
Paiish Membership
I
I
I
Prior Marriage
49e.....
NECESSARYDOCUMENTS:
Matrimonial Dispensation
Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire . . .
BaptismaJ Certificates
First Communion/Conlirmation
Testimony ofFreedom. . . . . .
C i vi l M a r r iageLicense.. . .. .
PRE.MARRTAGE
PREPARATION:
Engaged Encou nters . . . . .
Focus Program
SFrfind
.
Da fF / Tim F
BeginningYour Joumey . . .. .
WEDDINGLfTRGY
Pla n n in g .
Wedding Coordinator
Rehearsal
Ministers of the Celebration
Decorum in the Church
WEDDING MUSIC:
REQUIREMENTS
I
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
7
7
ENVIRONMENT: (De@rations)
Flowers
Pew Decorations
Photography/ Video
Rice/ Confetti/ Petals
Wedding Attendants
CHURCHSnPENDS:
unurcn
Priest
Wedding Coordinator
Altar Servers
8
8
8- 9
9
9
9
9
10
10
CHECKUST:
11
THINGSTo Do:
12
Reglatered Parishloaera
Holy Family Catholic Church is available for couples
if both or one of them is a registered parishioner or lives
within the boundaries oI the parish.
Non- Reglstcred
If one or both live out of the parish boundaries and is
not registered,would noed a letter of perEk3loa from the
parish in the area the couple lives in.
Prlor lflerrlage
if either person has been married before, and divorced, then you !!ust obtrh an annulmett of your prevr.1:r;- lgrrllge
before you may schedule youi wodilng
at Holy Family Church.
Couples who were married in their respective churches/
refigions,DuBt obtain thls dlrpensadoa/erlulmetrt fron
the Arcldlocc!€ Trlbunal Omce. The priest of the parish
will advise you further on the proceduies needed on this
mataer.
Ages
If either person is under elghteen yearr of age,
please
consult the priest.
NECESSARYDOCUMENTS
(.All docuttclts
nu.t
be ln g |notths
p.lor to wcddlag)
llatrlnonlal
Dlspensadotl
. Some couples may need to obtain dispensationsfrom
certain conditions in order to marry. The most common
dispensation is that required of couples entering an inter_
rarln marnage, vherc one la a Cathollc atld the other lr
fron another Chrlgtlan or non-Chrlgtlan falth tradtiioa,
1.
Pre-Nuptial Queatioanahe
The first form to be completed is, the Bridc & croom
Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire, The purpose of which is to determine the freedom and approprlate ltrteltlons of the
couple in their preparation for marriage.
Baptlsmal Certificates
It is required that each Catholic present a new copy
of sertiflcate of Baptism issued within 6 Eorths prlor
to the wedding.
First Communlon
& Colrflrmatlon
Certlncates
It is required that each Catholic present a certihcate
of their First Communion and Conlirmation.
For any
Catholic who has not celebrated theae sacramgnts, the
priest will discuss with him or her how these sacraments
may be received.
Testlmony of Freedom
This is a sworn statement, witnessed by a priest,
deacon or a notarjr public attesting that you have never
been malried before, in either a Church or Civil Ceremony, and that there is no known impediment to the marriage. Thls lB lilled out by the parent8 in the preselce
of a pde3t. This may be completed by two others who
have known you for at least five years. Thla Eust be
completed/accompllshed
3 motrthe prior to the wedding.
Clvll Marriage Llcense
This license may be obtained from the County Recorder's OIIice. Califomia law does not require a civil marriage before a church marriage, The priest officiates for
the State of Califomia as well as for the Catholic Church.
The License is valid for ninety (9O) days after being issued.
Please present orlglnal copy of the llcetae to the Wedding Coordinator at the time of rehearsal. The closest offices are in Norwalk and downtown Los Angeles. A photo
qopy muat be a|rbmitted 6 weeks prlor to weddlag.
2.
PRE.MARRIAGEPREPARATION
FOR FIRAT MTRRIAGES OR VALIDA?IONA
Both parties mu.t take part ln a plc-merrlege
prcPantlo!,
an opportunity to consider marriage and its
many aspects from a Christian point of view. This may be
done in one of the following ways:
EngagGd - Sstutday!3 a one-day program, which is held in
the surrounding parishes. It starts frorn 8:45am to 5:00pm.
Eng.g€d - Efronlngr; a program, n'hich meets four or five
nights during the week Monday - Friday.
Engagcd Encourter - Wee&end: This program begins on
Friday evening and concludes on Sunday aftemoon.
Reservations are neccssary and should be made as soon as
possible from the time you set your wedding date. This information should be found in the wedding folder that is
given to the couple. There will be further information regarding the schedules for these programs, You will receive
a certihcate of completion when Jrou attend one of these
programs. Plerao brlag thl! certlncate to thc Prrt h Offlcc, a photo copy fu placed h your wcddlng folder.
FOCUB PrograD
This is taken after the Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire.
Thls Srrvoy wlll aldrt you la dcdtng vlth tho lrrucr of
communlcrtlo!,
|rndcrrtaldlng,
and coEpatlblllty.
After the completion of the Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire and
FOCUS you will be scheduled with your first appointment
with a priest.
3.
8ct.l'g
tho Drte ald TlEe for youa Colcbntlon
Wedding liturgies are celebrated at Holy Family
Church on Saturdays at 1O:(XrAU, l2:OOpf (l|oonl, and
23OOPu.
Beghalng Your Journey ln Cbrfut
Our ministry is to assist you as an engaged couple
not so much for a wedding day but for the lifetime celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. The required steps of
narriage preparation should be viewed not so much as
goals to be accomplished, but as challenges to growth in
the practice of our faith.
The Sacrament of Reconcitation (Confession) is
strongly recommended for all couples as part of your spiritual preparation. CoEfc$lons rro rcglhrty
rchcduled
otr Frldrlr eycttbgr fron 7:OOp[ to Er(xtp rrd Srttrrday ellLeraooas frotn 3:3OpM to 4:.ftip[.
PLEASENOTE:
Th€re arc tro colrfeaglo[a
at the tlme of your tehearsal.
THE WEDDING LITURGY
Phrntlg
This planning always keeps in mind that the ceremony ia a moment of prayer for all who are present. All
aspects of the celebration should reflect the noble simpticity belitting Christian worship.
Together with the priest or deacon who will be pre.
siding at your liturgr, you will have a part in ptanning
y9ul c9relnony. Included in your wedding folder is a copy
of the booklet 'Together for Life'. please notice that it includes scripture readings, comments for the couple and
texts for the marriage ritc. On your final meeting with the
yo". will discuss rhe specific readings from-Scripture
!.ig:!
and hturgrca.lopt-ions that you have chosen, The priesi wilt
nerp clanry any lurther queslions you may have regarding
the ceremonvat the time.
Weddlng Coordlnstor
It k nandatory that every couple to be married em_
_
ploys the servicesof our parish wedding coordinator. At the
trme.ot your wedding rehealsal appointment, she will guide
you in making decisions as you pian ana personatizeloui
ceremony.
Rehearual
An- important part of the ritual preparation for the
. -.
wedding is the rehearsal. The wedding rehearsal is scheduled at the Rectory Office. please ca at least two monttrs
pnor to your wedding. your entire wedding party must
be
present for this rehearcal as well as any individuals
whom
you have selected_
to proclaim t}re scripiure .eadings. Oui
of respect for the treddlng coordlnator, pleai natc
aure that your endrc weddlng party arrlves o! t|Ee,
Only the parish wedding coordinator ts authorized to con_
quct weddrngrehearsals.
Minlsters of the C€lebrafion
Together vrith you and the priest or deacon who have
.
rmportant ministerial roles in the wedding celebration,there
are others who will take part in this moment of prayer and
commitment. Members of your wedding party,
fjarticufJv
usners.-wllt greet the invited guests in a spirit of hospitality
and_welcome. We ask you to considei individujs whl
mrght.tunctron in the following special roles in your wed_
olng llrurgy.
4,
5,
Scrlpture Roadera frcctors,
Your scripture selectionsmay be read by a member
of your wedding party or by a relative or friend who is accustomed to reading in public. If you do not use a parish
soloist who will sing the ResponsorialPsalm, there will be
three readings from the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Unity Candle Ceremony
The Church provides the Unity Candle Kit. Commonly the mothers of the bride and groom light the side
candles right at the Entrance Rite, but if you have others
to take the roles, discuss this with the Wedding Coordinator.
Blersilg ofColns, Blble, Roaary e Plectngof Co.d/Larao
These customs maybe included in your ceremony;
you v/ill be instructed during rehearsal regarding the time
and manner of the inclusion in the ceremonv.
Otfertory clft8
Pleaseask two family members or friends to bring
the hosts and the wine to the priest after the Rite of Matrimony has been completed.
Sig! of Peace to Paretrta
You may offer a sign of peace to your parents with
or without a single flower to present to the mothers. Ask
your florist to provide these flowers, if you wish to use this
option in your ceremony.
Bouquet to Ble$ed Mother
Beforethe end oI the ceremony,the bride and groom
may offer a small bouquet to Marjr who was wife aid
mother. This custom includes your prayers to Our
Blessed Mother asking for her guidance during your marnase.
6,
Doeoru& in the Hourc of (i,od
In reverencing the place in which the community of
the Church gathers for worship, we ask that all your friends
and relatives particularly the wedding party be aware of the
sacrednessof the Church building. For this reason, we ask
that all who enter the Church at any time, whether before,
during or alter the rehearsal or during and after the wedding celebrationitself observethese basic principles:
o SILENCE, REaPFCT, & REVERENCE while in Church.
.
NO food, drlnk or chewirg gum.
o NO alcohollc beveragea on the Church premises, includitig the Church parking lot.
WEDDING MUSIC
Marriage is celebrated in the context of worship and
therefore should reflect the musical styles incorporated into
sacramental celebrations of the Catholic Church. With this
in mind, music chosen for the wedding litursr must be reli_
gious in nature, so that a spirit of prayer and celebration to
strengthen the cxpression of faith can be established. No
matter how personally meaningful love songs and secular
ballads my be to the couple, these are best left to the recep_
[ion where other dimensions of the wedding celebration pre_
vail.
Selection of music for your wedding can be arranged by
contacting any of the Weddlng Muslclans & Slngers listed
on the page information enclosed in your wedding packet.
Please contact the muslclans for gcheduling.
7.
ENVIRONMENTAL
(Irecorntlon)
Flowers
rolEa;
.
.
Any photographer/videographerwho becomes
disruptive wiU be asked to leave.
During the photo-taking PLEASE keep your
wedding party in REVERENTIAL SILENCE.
Floral arrangements enhance the beauty of any environment and we welcome your creativity with regard to
these areas. A florist guidelines sheet is provided in your
wedding packet. Pleasegive ttrese guidelines to your flonst.
For tl:e safety of others, the throwing of rice, confetti,
or petals of flowers, (silk or fresh), in and around the
church is FORBIDDEN.
Celter Alsle
Weddbg Att€trdsDts
The center aisle of the church ls aPProtrlmately
lOO ft. long & 5 {t. wlde. Runners are allowed. If you
choose to have a runner, tt lr the responslblllty of the
brtdle party to put lt down and remove lt rlght after
the wedding. Do not us€ tack. A small amount of tape
can be used if you are careful not to damage the floor and
removeeach piece of tape.
Our sanctuarjr (alter area) is not very spacious and
will accommodate only 8 bridesmaids and ushers in an orderly arrangement. This includes ttre Best Man and the
Maid or Matron of Honor. Children who will be Ring Bearers must be at least 5 years old.
Pew Decoratlong
Do not restrict access to pews with ribbons and
flowers. A special floral clamp can be used on the pews
Tape and wire is not allowed because of damage to t]le
wood surface,
Photography ard Vldeo
Photographs and video recordings arc permitted
during the ceremony. Only one vldeo canere ls permitted, end lt nu3t remaln statlonary thtoughout tbe
ceremolry, A photographer and videographer guideline
sheet is provided in your wedding folder, Pleasegive these
to them as helpful directives as they serve you on your
wedding day.
nlce or Conf€ttl or Petale of Flowers
CHURCH STIPENDS
For your convenience envelopes are included in the
wedding folder they are properly marked to facilitate the
distribution of fees and donations. The fotlowing is a brief
summary;
Chutcb
It is customary to make a donation to the Church in
keeping with the other wedding expense ald help offset
electrical, heating, air conditioning arld maintenance costs.
For RegiEtcred parlsbloaers the don tlon 13 i4qt.qr.
For Non-Reqisteredthe donation q/ill be $5OO.OO.There will
be a $5O.OOdeposit when you scheduleyour wedding date.
Priert
The stipend to t]le priest is made at the discretion of
the couple as an appreciation for the services of the priest.
9,
Weddlag Coordhatot
CHECKLIST
The Wedding Coordinator b ayalLble to confer
elth you regsrdbg atty qrGrtlotu about your ceremony. The Wedding Coordinator will be present prior to
the wedding ceremony to attend to the bridal party, assist
the florist, photographer, videographer and ottrers. Questions regarding ttre wedding ceremony should be directed
to the Wedding Coordinator or the priest or deacon. The
weddhg Coordtnetor'r fee k if qr,(xl.
On thc nlgbt of the rehealrd oa at tour lalt nGctlng
wlth tho prlcst, please submit the following:
Use thla checkllat to Lelp gtou
O,rga,nlze gour plannlng :
l)i$pcnsation
()
(,
l)rrr'Nuptial questionnaire
()
t)
FOCUSquestionnaire
()
t,
httirl
fime:
Vistt
Date:
First Communion
(catt@tic onlg ' Can a@pt gtato ctpg oJ otighol)
Confirmation
.
U.rrLgc Llccnro .rd CustoEcr'3
cnvclopc
copy rlth
r lfoddlng PL!cr
ShcGt from tho Tog.ttEr
(aireqdVfrlled. out)
.
trdllng
(Catholi. onlg - CM ac.ept phtto copV of otiginal)
Letter of Freedom
for
LIfG
Iron tlon! Eryclopcs to the Church, Priest, Wedding
Coordinator and Altar Servers.
(Must lnue Origitlal Iotm)
Completi onofBngaged
Prep-Program
(Cdn a&ept ptuto @pg ol tte cettilute
Second Vlslt
Wc provlde tpo rltrr rctrcrr for yo[r wcddbg
unless other arrangements have been made through t}re
Parish Ollice in consultation with the priest or deacon,
i.e., family member is an altar server and would like to be
able to serve the liturgr, The customary donation for the
Altar Scnrorr b J5.(X, each for two.
Date:
t
,
t,
t
,
()
()
Time:
Date: ---
(SchedIe 2 monthsbeforeuedding date)
Civil License
(
)
()
Time;
(
)
(
(
)
{
(Must have oiginall
(Afzt i@niasp need a phrto &ps i,Lfle need3 ueeks priot to wedditls)
Together for Life Readings
Thlrd Vtslt
Date:
Time;
(Two u'eeks before uEdding)
lo,
()
siven to @upre)
(cathrlir onv)
(Musthave updated - 6 tu/ths beforc@dnins)
Rehearsal
)
()
Baptism Certificate
Altar S€rvcn
(
11.
THINGSTO DO:
( ) Schcdule Weddlng Dst€
DATE
TIME
Schedule Rchearsal Day
()
DATE
TIME
( ) Roglster for Elgaged Preparatlo!
Program
DATE
TIME
) Give Florlst Guldellne Sheet.
)
Give Photognpher/Vldeographer GuldellD€ Sheets.
)
Plan Litur$/ see aToget Er tor LVe" book.
)
Submit all required documerts 3 months prlor to
weddlng.
to lf,ary 5 wceLs prior to wedding.
()
Submit llecdom
tl
Submit Photo copy of Itrarrlage Llc€D3c 6 wceks
prior to wedding.
Loue is patient;
Loue is kind.
Loue is not jealous
It does not put on airs,
If is not snobbi,sh.
.
Loue is neuer rude,
It is not self-seeking,
It is not prone to ottger,
Neither does it brood ouer injuies.
Loue does not rejoice
In uhat is wrong but
Rejoices u.tith the truth.
There is no limit to loue's forbearance,
Its trust, its hope,
Its pouer to endure.
Loue neuerfails.
( 1 Cointhi.ans 12 : I 3!l)
RE
'-
L2.