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Marriage Preparation and Guidelines - St. John the Evangelist Parish

Marriage Preparation and Guidelines - St. John the Evangelist Parish

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Page 4<br />

II. PLANNING THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE<br />

A booklet ''Toge<strong>the</strong>r for Life" will be given to each couple to aid <strong>the</strong>m in choosing options <strong>and</strong><br />

in planning <strong>the</strong>ir marriage ceremony/liturgy.<br />

The church has always insisted that <strong>the</strong> minister of <strong>the</strong> Sacrament of Matrimony is not <strong>the</strong><br />

priest, but <strong>the</strong> couple <strong>the</strong>mselves. So, it is only fitting that <strong>the</strong> couple, with <strong>the</strong> guidance <strong>and</strong><br />

encouragement of <strong>the</strong> pastoral team, prepare <strong>the</strong>ir marriage liturgy.<br />

The couple should choose <strong>the</strong>ir prayers, religious songs, <strong>and</strong> scriptural readings to express<br />

<strong>the</strong> depth of <strong>the</strong>ir relationship <strong>and</strong> commitment to God <strong>and</strong> to each o<strong>the</strong>r. Because <strong>the</strong><br />

sacrament of marriage is an act of public worship, people attending <strong>the</strong> Liturgy should not<br />

merely be considered as guests. The Liturgical assembly is called to its role of actual<br />

participation, <strong>and</strong> any planning must take this into account.<br />

The wedding should include those ministers needed to serve in <strong>the</strong> Liturgical Celebration. This<br />

includes: Minister of Music, Lectors, Readers of petitions, Ministers of <strong>the</strong> Eucharist, o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

musicians (Soloists, Cantors <strong>and</strong> Instrumentalists).<br />

When celebrating faith certain actions are most appropriate <strong>and</strong> need to be stressed; while<br />

those actions that do not express <strong>the</strong> faith of <strong>the</strong> community need to be avoided.<br />

With this in mind. <strong>the</strong> followinq quidelines for <strong>St</strong>. <strong>John</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Evangelist</strong> <strong>Parish</strong>. Essexville are<br />

presented:<br />

A. Liturqy - The sacramental celebration of marriage between two baptized<br />

Catholics will usually take place within <strong>the</strong> Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass).<br />

1. Wedding Party - The wedding party should be willing <strong>and</strong> able to<br />

participate in <strong>the</strong> prayer of <strong>the</strong> church as we celebrate this great<br />

sacrament. With that in mind, <strong>the</strong> age of participants, especially ring<br />

bearers <strong>and</strong> flower girls, comes into question. They should be of an age<br />

<strong>and</strong> maturity to be attentive <strong>and</strong> pray with us, recognizing <strong>the</strong> ceremony<br />

takes an hour. (That is, if <strong>the</strong>y are not going to church on a regular basis,<br />

or are unable to remain in <strong>the</strong> congregation during <strong>the</strong> service, <strong>the</strong>y are<br />

not old enough to be in a wedding.)<br />

B. Place - Being a community celebration, <strong>the</strong> marriage must take place within <strong>the</strong><br />

parish church building. It is also possible for this celebration to take place in <strong>the</strong><br />

church of <strong>the</strong> non-Catholic person once permission is given <strong>and</strong> preparation for<br />

marriage completed.

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