THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

Congratulations on your engagement! Your wedding day will be a very special day for you, and we want to help you prepare for it as well as we can. We also want to help you prepare not just for the special day, but for your entire married life together. Marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic Church. It is not only a very special moment for the two of you, it is also a sacred event for all of us.

We need at least six to nine months time to prepare for your marriage. One of you, or your parents, must be registered members of Christ the Redeemer Church. If you are newcomers to the parish, you are expected to be registered and active members of the Parish for at least six months before the scheduled wedding. The Priest or Deacon you meet will fill out with you the initial prenuptial questionnaire of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston and set up the file for your marriage records. Before the initial interview or during the six month preparation you are asked to attend the Parish Fair for the Sacrament of Marriage.

Wedding are celebrated on Saturday at 11am, 2pm or 7:30pm.  Before your wedding ceremony date can be set, you must attend the Engaged Couple Orientation and meet with the Priest/Deacon that will preside over your ceremony.

Engaged Couple Orientation for the Sacrament of Marriage

This Sacramental preparation is open to all those planning a wedding. We will explore the ceremony itself and offer information including: our guidelines, appropriate musical choices, and various options to choose that are appropriate to the theology of marriage and the celebration. Musicians will be available for you to hear as well as our Wedding Co-coordinator who will be with you throughout each step of your wedding day.

9 MONTHS BEFORE THE CEREMONY    (Or as soon as you have set a date)

Contact Family Life Minister for Initial Interview

Attend an Engaged Couples’ Orientation.

        Theology of Marriage

        Take FOCCUS Inventory

Meet with the Priest/Deacon that will witness the wedding

        Review FOCCUS

        Discuss Marriage Preparation

        Set Wedding Date-Saturdays-11am, 2pm or 7:30pm

                Set a rehearsal time.

                *Submit Refundable Deposit-$200       

Begin Marriage Preparation Program

           Sponsor Couple / Engaged Encounter / Other

3 MONTHS BEFORE THE CEREMONY

(Choosing people to assist with the Liturgy itself)

Call Music Minister’s for preliminary phone interview

                        Set appointment with Music Minister to plan Wedding Liturgy.

                                         This far in advance of the wedding, you and your fiancé should be thinking about what kind of instrumentation you are hoping for the ceremony.  Do you like the sound of strings?  Of trumpets?  A flute?  A Harp?  These decisions should be made first.  The Music Minister will assist you in finding personnel.  Please do not contract the services of any musicians without the prior consent of the Music Minister.  When you have made this decision or if you have questions, contact the Music Minister.

Choose the scriptures that will be read at the ceremony and prayers to be included

Decide on the Following:

Ushers      (1 usher is needed for every 50 INVITED guests)                    

Readers    (1 reader for each reading and they do not have to be Catholic, But

                  should be able to read comfortably in public)

Attendants

Cross bearers

Candle lighters (if different from the ushers)

Gift bearers

                  Greeters  (people who would simply stand at the doors of the church, distribute worship aides if applicable, and welcome the guests)

                   Florists - contact wedding coordinator for questions when making arrangements

                 Photographer/Video - contact wedding coordinator for questions when making

              arrangements

2 MONTHS BEFORE THE CEREMONY

Begin memorizing the vows.

Finalize all arrangements with the florist, the photographer, videographer, etc .

Prepare Worship Aid.

Confirm Rehearsal Time: Contact Wedding Coordinator

1 MONTH BEFORE THE CEREMONY

Final Meeting with Priest or Deacon

Confirm with all ushers, readers, greeters, cross bearer, etc. and remind them of the time of the rehearsal.

Prepare the Prayers of the Faithful (intercessions)

Memorize Vows.

1 WEEK BEFORE THE CEREMONY

 Remind everyone participating in the ceremony of the rehearsal.

*Musician fees’ due.

Wedding Day

Relax!  Everything should now be ready

 *Final fees and stipends due.

 * STIPENDS AND OFFERINGS