Marriage Policies 

Sacred Heart Parish 

 

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  We hope that this page will answer many of your questions and help to make the beginning of your marriage a blueprint for your life together. It is good to remember that a wedding lasts only a day. A marriage lasts a lifetime. During these months of preparation, spend more time developing your relationship together in Christ and less on the wedding day.

     Marriage Preparation Process

You are about to enter a more profound time of sharing with each other as you approach the possibility of the Sacrament of Marriage. This time gives you a special opportunity to better understand yourself, and your relationship with your spouse and, together, your relationship with God.

Your Parish wants to help you during this time together by providing for you a special process. This process will help you to share with each other; to learn even more about each other and help you to discern God’s will regarding your life together.

The process begins with an instrument called FOCCUS: (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study). This instrument contains a number of questions that are answered individually by the couple. The answers are then computerized. The results enable you to evaluate your relationship.

A mentoring couple, trained through the Family Ministries Office of the Diocese of Harrisburg, will meet with you a number of times in their home prior to your marriage. They will use the results of the FOCCUS instrument as a basis for discussion with you. The Diocese also requires an afternoon seminar on some aspects not covered with the mentoring couple. The brochure, “Marriage as a Sacrament” is included here. It explains the format and how to go about registering for the seminar. Please remember to fill out and send in your “Marriage as a Sacrament” registration form to the address listed on the brochure.

  It is the hope and prayer of the entire Church, and especially Your Parish, that this Marriage Preparation Program will strengthen your love for each other and for the Lord.

You will receive a call from the Mentoring Couple assigned to you. At that time you will make arrangements for your first session.

An alternative to this process is made when the couple is living outside the Diocese of Harrisburg and they participate in an approved preparation program of that Diocese.

The Diocese also provides an alternative Marriage Preparation program called “Engaged Encounter. Details are also in the attached brochure. If you participate in this weekend experience, the “Marriage as a Sacrament “seminar is included in the weekend.

  Dates and Times for Weddings and Rehearsals

Diocesan regulations require, at least, a nine-month preparation period before the wedding liturgy may take place. This preparation period begins with the first meeting of the priest or deacon.

  A wedding date cannot be set until the couple meets with the priest.

  If weddings are celebrated during the penitential season of Lent (no altar flowers during Lent) or the preparation season of Advent they should reflect the spirit of the season.

  Because of scheduling conflicts, Weddings cannot be scheduled more than one year in advance.

  Weddings are celebrated in the Church on Saturdays. The liturgies last less than an hour from the time they begin. The time schedule is as follows:

 

Wedding times        Church available        Vacate church by            

10:00am                   9:30am                       12:00pm

1:00pm                   12:00pm                      3:00pm

 

Wedding rehearsals are scheduled for Friday’s at 6:00pm or 7:00pm, and last for less than an hour from the time they begin.

 

Official Witness for the Church

Only priests assigned to Sacred Heart Parish or St. George Mission may be the official witness and celebrant of the Wedding. Other clergy (Catholic and other Denominations) may be invited to participate in the liturgy. An exception is made for a priest relative.

 

The Marriage Ceremony

Because of space, seating for the bride and groom is reserved for the sanctuary. The best man and maid of honor sit in the first pew of the middle aisle; other members of the wedding party sit behind them. For the exchange of vows just the best man and maid of honor or the entire wedding party may come forward.

  The unity candle is not a part of the Roman Catholic Marriage Liturgy. It is suggested that this be incorporated into the prayer at the beginning of the reception. Bringing flowers to the statue of Mary is also not part of the liturgy. It is suggested that this be incorporated into the wedding rehearsal, as a prayer before the rehearsal. There are brief services available if you should choose to do these rites at the times mentioned above. Ordinarily the couple is not introduced at the liturgy “for the first time as Mr.  & Mrs.”, since this is usually done at the reception.

Besides the Wedding Party the couple should choose: a cross bearer, a lector for two Readings and the General Intercessions or three lectors, one for each (if there is a Mass the readers must be practicing Catholics), altar servers (optional) and two members to bring for the gifts of bread and wine (if there is a Mass).

  Liturgical Music

The parish Director of liturgy  is responsible for communicating diocesan policies regarding the music to be used before, during and after the Liturgy. Mrs. Cheryl Hrapowicki, phone 570-538-5871, should be contacted, as soon as the date of the wedding is set. The Parish Director of Liturgy is also the organist for all Liturgies. She will work with cantors and other musicians. If you have a cantor, soloist or other musicians they should be paid directly by the couple.

 

Photographers

It is the responsibility of the couple to communicate these policies to the photographer.

The sanctuary is off limits during the marriage ceremony. The sanctuary is considered the raised platform in the front of the church. Care should be taken not to block the view of the guests in attendance.

Pictures may be taken in the Sanctuary after the ceremony. However, no furniture may be moved or used as a prop in any way.

The Wedding party must be out of the church by 12:30pm for the 10:30am Wedding and 3:30pm for the 1:30pm Wedding.

  Florists

It is the responsibility of the couple to communicate these policies to the florist.

The church is available at 9:30am for weddings at 10:30am and 12:30pm for wedding at 1:30pm

Flowers may be placed in the front of the Altar on the floor, not to be higher than the altar. They may also be placed on either side of the tabernacle on risers. The florist should arrange for the containers.

• Nothing may ever be placed on the Altar or candle stands.
• Pews may be decorated with bows or flowers and must be applied with rubber bands. No tape.
• Candles, other than those already in the sanctuary, are not permitted because of fire regulations.
• Aisle “runners” are not permitted because of liability.
• Flower pedals may not be strewn and balloons and artificial flowers may not be used as decoration.
• Seasonal decorations, placed by the parish, may not be moved or altered in any way.
• It is expected that the flowers placed in the sanctuary remain in the church as a gift from the bride and groom to the Lord.

 

Dressing for the Wedding

It is recommended that the wedding party dress at home. However, there is a small room available in the narthex for last minute preparations. Valuables should not be left in the room during the ceremony.

The Wedding Booklet

The couple may wish to provide a wedding booklet for guests. The following is the format for the Liturgy:

The Rite of Marriage During Mass

Prelude Music

Introductory Rites

Processional

Opening Hymn

Opening Prayer

 Liturgy of the Word

      Old Testament Reading & silent reflection

      Psalm - followed by meditation period

         New Testament Reading & silent reflection

  Gospel Acclamation

  Gospel & Homily

Rite of Marriage

Introduction

     Exchange of Vows and Blessing Rings

Prayer of the Couple (optional)

General Intercessions

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Altar

Presentation of the bread and wine.

Eucharistic Prayer & Nuptial Blessing

Communion Rite & Lord’s Prayer

  Closing Rite

  Closing Prayer

  Blessing

  Dismissal

 Closing Hymn

       Recessional     

Rite of Marriage Outside Mass

Prelude

Introductory Rites

Processional

Opening Hymn

Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word

Old Testament Reading & silent reflection

Psalm - followed by meditation period

New Testament Reading and silent reflection

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel & Homily

Rite of Marriage

Introduction

Exchange of Vows and Blessing Rings

Prayer of the Couple (optional)

General Intercessions

Nuptial Blessing

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Rite

Closing Prayer

Blessing

Dismissal

Closing Hymn

Recessional

 

Listing of Participants for a brochure

Bride & Groom

Presider

Best Man & Maid of Honor

Wedding Party

Parents

Lector(s)

Cantor

Musician(s)

Cross bearer

Altar Server(s)

Others

  Respect for the Church and the Sacrament

Because of the sacred space - the Church - and the sacred nature of the activity - the Sacrament of Matrimony - The following is stressed:

At the rehearsal and the Wedding Liturgy there is absolutely no smoking, drinking of alcohol or gum chewing in any of the facilities or properties of the Parish. A spirit of quiet respect should be maintained at all times in the church proper.

The receiving line, if the couple chooses to have one, must be in the Narthex of the Church (vestibule) or outside. It may not be held in the Nave (body) of the Church.

The use of rice, birdseed, confetti, flower peddles, balloons etc., are not permitted.

Gifts and Fees

A check in the Amount of $250.00, as a gift to the church, is made out to Sacred Heart Parish and accompanies the marriage license the night of the rehearsal.

A check in the amount of $125.00 is made out to the Director of Liturgy, Cheryl Hrapowicki, for payment as Organist for your Wedding, and accompanies the marriage license the night of the rehearsal.  If additional musical services are required, fees will be adjusted accordingly.  This will be discussed with you, in detail, at the time of your meeting with her.

 

Documentation

The following items need to be gathered and brought to the second meeting with the priest:

• For the catholic party(s) Baptismal & Confirmation certificate - dated within the last 3 months.

• For the non-catholic party, a zeroxed copy of the Baptismal certificate, if baptized

• If one or both parties were in a previous marriage a Death Certificate or Decree of Nullity must be provided.

 

The following items need to be presented as soon as they are available:

·        Certificate of Attendance for the Mentoring Process or Engaged Encounter

·        Certificate of Attendance for the Marriage as a Sacrament Seminar

                         (0r similar certificates if the preparation was made in another diocese).

 

The following items need to be presented the night of the rehearsal:

·        The Marriage license: Obtained at the courthouse at least 5 days prior to the       

          marriage and is valid for 60 days.

·        The fee for the Director of Liturgy

·        The gift for the Church