Congratulations on your Engagement!

We are looking forward to assisting you in the preparing and planning for the Sacrament of Marriage at Saint Patrick Church. Marriage is the closest and most intimate of friendships. It involves freely sharing of the entire person’s life with their spouse within a covenant of love. Becoming married in the Lord is a process, a covenant, a sacrament, and a mission to the world and Church, to enrich society. You may be asking yourself, where do we begin? Before you do anything or make any arrangements the first thing you need to do is contact the church office.
In planning the various facets of the celebration of your marriage, please remember that this celebration is first and foremost the Liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, a celebration of worship to give praise and thanksgiving to God.
Therefore, the wedding must be planned in a way that enables all the participants to actively participate in the Church’s worship during the Nuptial Liturgy.

interview

You should make the initial contact as soon as possible in order to determine the availability of the church and to set a date to meet with a pastoral minister to begin the initial paperwork that is required. This must be done at least six (6) months prior to the desired date of the celebration of the sacrament. No date will be set until the couple has met with the pastoral minister and the initial paperwork is completed.
       Initial paperwork would include:
            Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire (Form A); this is an official document of the Church which is filled   
            out in the presence of a priest, a deacon, or a pastoral minister.
            Automated Marriage Form
              the FOCCUS (facilitating, open couple communication, understanding and study)  

Participation and Registration

In order for a wedding date and time to be reserved, the bride, the groom, or their family must be actively participating at Mass and living the life of an active member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church, for a minimum of six (6) months. For those living in another city, this would mean establishing a relationship with a parish there and fulfilling this requirement.

Documentation

Catholics must obtain a newly issued baptismal certificate with all notations made within 6 months of the date of the marriage. This can be done by contacting the church where the baptism was celebrated. Provide them with the necessary information: full name, date of birth, date of baptism, and parents’ names (including mother’s maiden name.)

Those baptized within another faith tradition are required to provide proof of baptism. The original certificate or a letter from the church where the baptism was celebrated will suffice.

            A state issued marriage license must be obtained prior to the celebration. This license must be given to the officiating minister at least 3 weeks prior to the ceremony.  No ceremony can take place if the priest does not have this document in his possession.
To acquire a marriage license in Cumberland County,           you should go to the Register of Deeds Office. The office is located in room 114 on the first floor of the Cumberland County Courthouse. Both bride and groom must provide several pieces of documentation prior to obtaining your marriage license. It would be good to visit their website prior to visiting their office www.ccrod.org/marriage/general_info.html

            The marriage license needs to be signed            by the two witnesses, and the officiating minister after the wedding ceremony is performed. The priest will return the document to the court house for appropriate processing.

Click here for more information about preparing for your marriage