Matrimony
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Planning Your Wedding Please give us at least six months notice prior to the date you plan to have your wedding so that all necessary documents and pre-nuptial instructions may be completed in time for the wedding day. We are very happy that you have chosen to celebrate your marriage at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Your wedding day is a sacred event we hope you will treasure for the rest of your lives. We would like to assist you in any way we can to ensure that your celebration will be a meaningful experience of God’s presence in your lives. A Christian Marriage is a Sacrament in which a man and a woman form an enduring bond of love with each other, which mirrors the love Jesus has for the Church. Through the sharing of vows, the couple commit themselves to love, honor and be faithful to one another for the rest of their lives. Such a love between two people can be a beautiful and tremendous grace-filled adventure, which unites the couple more and more each day. The Church has every hope that your journey will be filled with the promise of being happy and permanent. For this reason, she wishes that you be given the opportunity to listen and to pray for God’s action in your lives. This program of preparation reflects our desire for you to be properly prepared for the Sacrament. May this be a time of learning and growth for you. Be assured of our prayers for you at this most special stage in your lives. The Pastor and staff of St. John the Baptist Church
Required Documents
Baptisimal CertificateA new, certified copy of your baptismal certificate, issued within the last six months, is required for those who are Catholic. Simply call the church where you were baptized and request a new certificate, complete with First Communion and Confirmation notations on the back of the certificate. First Communion and Confirmation Certificates Copies of these are necessary unless this information is included as notations on the back of your baptismal certificate Affidavits of Free Status to Marry This is a sworn statement, witnessed by a priest, a deacon or a notary public, attesting that there are no known obstacles to your marriage. This may be filled out by parents, or others who have known you for most, or all of your lives. Civil Marriage License The State of Texas requires that you obtain a marriage license no later than 72 hours before the marriage will take place. The marriage license should be given to the priest or person conducting the rehearsal. Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire This takes place in the first meeting with the priest or deacon. Focus Test This takes place usually after the first meeting with the priest or deacon
Marriage Preparation Programs
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In addition to meeting with the priest, or deacon, each couple must participate in one of the following Marriage Preparation Programs:
The Catholic Church approves of the natural method of family planning called The Billings Method. The Billings Method has warranted national and international attention because of its effectiveness. Each couple must attend a Natural Family Planning Seminar.
Date, Time, and Minister of the Wedding
Your wedding may be celebrated on Friday evening or on Saturday at 2:00 or 6:30 p.m. No weddings are permitted on Sunday. Advent and Lent are penitential seasons and therefore you might consider not having your wedding during these times. The priest or deacon of the parish is available to officiate at your wedding. However, other priests are welcome to officiate at your wedding with permission from the pastor.
Fees
For parishioners ....................................$100.00 For non-parishioners...............................$300.00 Fees are due by the last meeting with the priest or deacon.
The Wedding Liturgy
Planning You will be planning your wedding together with your priest or deacon. As you are planning, you should keep in mind that the ceremony is, above all, a moment of prayer. Therefore, the readings, music, and people you choose to be a part of the ceremony should reflect the dignity of the occasion. On your final meeting with the priest or deacon, you will discuss the readings from Scripture and other aspects of the ceremony. Mass or Ceremony? Normally, when both parties getting married are Catholic, the wedding is celebrated within a Mass. If one of you is of another faith, you may want to consider having your wedding during a ceremony without Mass so as to be sensitive to the non-Catholic party and his or her guests who would be unable to share Holy Communion. Normally, the Eucharist is not celebrated at an interfaith marriage. Consult your priest to help you make this decision. Rehersal The wedding rehearsal is normally scheduled the evening before the wedding and is conducted by the priest or a special celebration coordinator. It is very important that everyone who will be involved in the wedding ceremony be present for the rehearsal. This would include parents, lectors, gift bearers and padrinos. In order to make the ceremony as special as possible, you and your family are strongly encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the wedding. The priest will be available for confessions at the rehearsal or you may make arrangements to go beforehand. Lectors This is a good opportunity to include family members or friends in your celebration. Lectors proclaim the Scripture readings during the wedding. It is usually best to select someone who can read the scriptures well. Gift Bearers You may select family members or friends to bring forward the gifts of bread and wine when the wedding is celebrated within Mass. Music Music can greatly enhance the wedding celebration and is strongly encouraged. To conform with liturgical guidelines though, music should be live and not recorded. Also, because a church wedding is a celebration of faith, care must be taken to select music that is appropriate for this occasion. No matter how personally meaningful love songs and secular ballads may be to the couple, these are best left to the reception where they might be more appropriate. The singing of the acclamations of the Mass (Alleluia, Holy, Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen) and the Responsorial Psalm is also encouraged. Should you need someone to provide music for your celebration, please contact the parish office at 991-4400 for possible musicians. Stipends for Music
You may have a cantor or vocalist or both. Fees are due and payable no later than the wedding rehearsal. Musicians should be booked at least 1 month prior to the wedding. Bridal March by Wagner and Wedding March by Mendelssohn are not permitted. Organist can assist you with selecting another fine processional and recessional by Pachabell, Handel, Purcell or Bach. A song may also be sung as a processional if so suited. Arras, Bible, Rosary, Lazo These symbols which represent the unity and love of the couple may be incorporated within the wedding ceremony. Keep in mind that those who would present these to the couple should also be present for the rehearsal. Church Behavior Because the church is a sacred place of worship and a place where we believe Jesus himself to be present, we ask that you please follow these basic principles:
Photographs Photographs of your wedding can bring you memories that will last a lifetime. Photographers and videographers of your wedding are welcome, but they can be a distraction for everyone involved if proper etiquette is not followed. Please ask your photographer to consult with the priest on rules for photographers before the wedding. Flowers Flowers reflect the beauty of God’s creation and are signs to us of God’s goodness. Floral arrangements can greatly enhance the liturgical celebration. You are encouraged to use flowers during the ceremony, keeping in mind not to place flowers on top of the altar. They may be placed on either side of the tabernacle, in front of the pulpit or in other areas of the sanctuary provided that they do not obstruct pathways used by the priest or the bridal party. Only fresh flowers or greenery are allowed in the church. Tape, adhesive materials, nails or tacks cannot be used on the walls, carpet or pews. You are responsible for removing pew decorations after the ceremony. Throwing flower petals, rice, and confetti or bird seed is prohibited in or around the church building due to liability concerns. Please give your florist the enclosed Policy for Florists. If your wedding takes place during Lent or Advent, the decorations set in the church for these seasons cannot be removed. Your arrangements can only be added onto the existing setting. Altar Servers If you will be having a Wedding Mass, it is recommended that you include altar servers in the celebration. The church will provide them if you request or you may choose relatives or friends to serve. It is customary to offer each server a stipend of $5.00.
The Wedding Liturgy
Flowers and plants are part of God’s creation and reveal his glory. Therefore they have a special place in Liturgical celebrations, including weddings. They add cheer and lift spirits for those gathered at worship. As one chosen to provide floral arrangements for this wedding, you are welcome to use your creativity in adorning St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. However, we ask that you abide by this following policy:
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