Matrimony
“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.” The Lord himself shows that this signifies an unbreakable union of their two lives by recalling what the plan of the Creator had been “in the beginning”: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” (Gen 2, Mat 19)
At St. John’s
The first step is to arrange to meet with a priest or deacon by calling the Parish Center. A man or woman who has been a member of our parish, or whose family are members, may be married at Saint John’s. At your first meeting with the priest or deacon, you will learn what you need (such as Baptism and Confirmation records) and what will follow as preparation.
You should contact us at least six months before the date you have in mind for your wedding. We strongly recommend beginning this process a year or more before the intended date of marriage so that you and your fiancé will have adequate time to prepare for this lifetime of committed love. We often confirm weddings a year or more in advance.
Can I marry someone who is not a Catholic?
Yes, you can celebrate your marriage at Saint John’s or at another church but you need to work with a priest or deacon who will help you and your fiancé. Weddings with another baptized person must take place in a church of one party or the other. Catholic - Jewish weddings may be celebrated in a building other than a church out of respect for the religion of the non-Catholic.
Can I be married in the Catholic Church if I have been married before?
The church honors the marriage commitment that people make and so careful consideration must be given to a person’s previous marriage. There may be circumstances in which the church judges that a prior marriage is not binding for various reasons. The best thing to do is to contact a priest or deacon who can help you see what can and should be done.
