In the Catholic Church, Marriage is a Sacrament. A Sacrament is a sacred sign. The loving communion that exists between husband and wife reveals to us the kind of love which Christ has for us: free, faithful, fruitful and forever. From the perspective of the Catholic understanding of sacrament, the married couple not only 'mirror' or reflect God's love, they embody the presence of Christ in a unique way. They are a tangible sign of the intimate relationship we share with Jesus. We are Christ's beloved.
Our parish is committed to celebrating and nurturing the vocation of Marriage at all its stages:
Engaged Couples
Part of the sacramental preparation for Marriage is the requirement that all engaged couples attend a pre-marriage course.
- Partners for Life
- Smart Loving
Parishioners
Parishioners who wish to be married should contact the parish as soon as possible after becoming engaged. It is important to coordinate all activities for your wedding. The use of the church cannot be presumed on the day you may have in mind. Please do not book a reception venue without first contacting the parish office to see if the church is available. It is usual to make an offering for both the church and the celebrant.
Visitors
Couples outside the parish are asked to supply a priest or deacon to be celebrant for their wedding. No booking is taken until the celebrant confirms in writing that he is willing to witness the marriage. There is a fee for the church set by the parish and the office will advise this. After receiving the confirmation letter and the offering, a booking is made and acknowledged by the parish office. If the wedding is cancelled there is no refund.
Government Requirements
- Birth certificates (no photocopies).
Government papers must be completed no more than six months or less than one month and one day prior to the wedding.
Church Requirements
New baptism certificates are necessary for the bride and the groom, dated within six months of the wedding. These can be obtained by writing to the parish in which the person was baptised. Simply request a newly dated certificate for marriage.
The celebrant of the marriage will assist you in any other documentation to be completed.
Part of the sacramental preparation for Marriage is the requirement that all engaged couples attend a pre-marriage course. Details of marriage courses can be found by contacting the parish office.
Weddings
To book a wedding, contact the parish office and the process will be explained to you. Some general points:
- Marriages are held on Saturdays. Other days are also available. If marriages are to take place on Sunday they will be scheduled during a normal Sunday Masses.
- Music is to be of a religious theme. Musicians details can be obtained by contacting the parish office.
- Flowers are to be provided by the wedding party and are to remain in the church after the wedding.
- Pew decorations are to be tied on to the pews and these are to be removed after the wedding.
- Photography is permitted during the celebration.
- Those taking photos and videos should see the celebrant before the celebration.
No rice or confetti is to be used in the church grounds.
Married Couples
Marriage is a journey and it is vital that a husband and wife keep growing in and working at their love for each other. The parish recommends marriage enrichment seminars:
- Celebrate Love
- Marriage Encounter
We also encourage the blessing of couples at key milestones in their lives: e.g. an engagement or a special anniversary such as 10, 25 or 50 years. This is a beautiful gesture, not only for the couple, but for the whole parish who have a very real investment in their love. A blessing and renewal of wedding vows can be arranged at one of the Sunday Masses.
For further information please contact the parish office.