Gospel commitment is founded in an ever-deepening love of Jesus. Marriage commitment is founded in seeking that fulfillment together, rooted in the love shared.

Gospel commitment remembers the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, our inspiration and hope. Marriage commitment

remembers each one’s personal history, accepting it, healing it...over time.

Our God is passionate in creation, in salvation, in loving us.

Marriage commitment teaches us that our passion in relationship reflects God’s creativity as we see it in all His creatures and creations.

Life teaches us that things were never going to be easy, the Spirit’s gift of courage helps us to be patient and endure.

Marriage commitment involves admitting that it will not always be easy. This calls us to believe in the providence of God and accept life’s challenges with trust in the Spirit’s strength found in our relationship.

Marriage is lived in solidarity.

Our Gospel commitment recognizes the call of our Baptism to be gathered into community, to struggle together, to journey together. Marriage commitment unites us as a community, two become one. Marriage assures us of the opportunity to journey together, not alone again… our hearts open to sharing the smooth and the rough times.

Gospel commitment, at its core, is a deep appreciation that the gospel is GOOD NEWS, witness to God’s love in Word and action. Marriage commitment celebrates that GOOD NEWS in shared lives and the willingness we bring to give witness to our world that our lives are lived within that context.

The celebration of marriage between two Catholics should normally be celebrated during Mass.

In marriage of a Catholic and a baptized person of another faith, the rite for celebrating within Mass may be used.

Mass is not permitted when either bride or groom is non-Christian.

At a wedding Mass, the exchange of vows takes place just after the Liturgy of the Word and just before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Only those formulas for the declaration of consent approved by the National Conference of Bishops, may be used for the Rite of Marriage.

If the parties are from different parishes, either parish is appropriate for the celebration. If the bride or groom belongs to an Eastern Catholic rite, the celebration may take place in the church of either rite. If one party is not Catholic, the wedding can take place in the Catholic church, or with dispensation, in the church of the non-Catholic.

Non-Catholic clergy may assist in the ritual of marriage in a Catholic Church through prayers, blessings, greetings, reflections, and Scripture readings. A Catholic priest or deacon may assist in a non-Catholic church in ways in accord with the ritual of the host church.

Weddings should not be encouraged during the season of Lent.

When one or both of the parties have had a previous marriage, it is necessary to ascertain if there has been a thorough recovery from that past experience.

When there has been divorce involved, it is necessary to determine what kind of an annulment process is called for before allowing a date to be set for a wedding.

In validations, there is a need to review with the couple their relationship with the church, the religious training of any children and their motives for the requested validation.

If in the case of pregnancy, the final decision to proceed with marriage, the preparation requirements are not to be altered to shorten the preparation time.

In cases of cohabitation, the minister is to help the couple examine the realities of commitment, fidelity, and permanence.

THE ENGAGED COUPLE SHALL:

Notify the Church of their intent to marry at least six months prior to the preferred wedding date.

Take a communication survey approved by the Diocese as the first step in preparation.

Attend an introductory class in Natural Family Planning.

Acquire necessary documents as required by Canon and Civil law.

Comply with a mutually agreed upon schedule of appointments during the preparation time.

Enroll in and complete a marriage preparation program recommended by your marriage minister.

Collaborate with the priest, deacon, or other minister in preparing the liturgical celebration.

Seek counseling when: