Marriage Preparation Program

ELIGIBILITY FOR MARRIAGE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

At least one of the persons to be married must be a practicing Catholic. Except in extraordinary circumstances the couple should contact the church at least six months prior to the wedding. If either person has been married before, there will be an investigation into whether that person is free to marry in the Catholic Church. Since this process can take up to a year, it is essential that this matter be resolved before setting the wedding date.

ELIGIBILITY TO MARRY AT SACRED HEART

At least one of the persons to be married must be a registered and active parishioner at Sacred Heart for at least 6 months prior attending the Marriage Information Session or scheduling a wedding. Membership at Sacred Heart means full, conscious and active participation in the life of this community. It means that you are actively attending mass here and plan to continue attending after your wedding. It also means that you are giving, in some way, of your time, talent and/or treasure to the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ at Sacred Heart. If you are not a member of Sacred Heart, but would still like to be married here, please see the fee schedule at the back of this book.

Marriage Preparation Programs

Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia offers a Pre-Marital Class for couples planning to marry and couples planning to have their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church. These classes are offered once or twice every month, except in December. Classes are held on Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm. Registration begins at 8:30am. All couples must enroll in the class in advance. To enroll, call Catholic Charities at 757-467-7707. Further class dates or additional information about Catholic Charities Pre-Marital Class, visit their website: www.cceva.org

Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend retreat experience from Friday through Sunday afternoon. Visit additional information about this program visit the Richmond Virginia Catholic Engaged Encounter website: www.richmondvacee.org for additional information.

Necessary Paperwork

The Catholic Church requires several documents to be on file with the Church prior to the wedding celebration. These documents establish your ability to enter into marriage freely and provide the Church with the necessary information to record your marriage properly.

A. Pre-Nuptial Investigation

The priest working with you will conduct this investigation during one of the regularly scheduled meetings you have with him as you prepare for marriage. This investigation ascertains your freedom and readiness to enter into the Sacrament of Marriage.

B. Baptismal Certificate

If you were baptized as a Roman Catholic, an official copy of your Baptismal certificate is needed (with the seal of the Church embossed onto it). An official copy is one issued before your wedding date, but not more than six months prior to it. Call, or preferably write, to your Church of Baptism for a copy with any notations.

If you were baptized in another Christian church, a certificate or other proof of Baptism must be provided. A photocopy of that certificate is sufficient.

C. Testimony of Family

Each of you must provide two letters or affidavits from your immediate family (parent or sibling) that attest that you are “free to marry”. This is not a letter of “permission”; rather it is an attestation that you are not already married.

D. Canonical Permissions and Dispensations

When necessary, the priest working with you will prepare permission and dispensations required by the Church for the marriage to take place. These dispensations apply to all couples when one is not a Roman Catholic, or the couple who intends to marry in a Church of another faith.

E. Civil License

The Civil Marriage license is obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the City in which you live. The license is good for 60 days. Please bring the license along with all fees to the Parish Secretary two weeks before the wedding.

Wedding Ceremony

Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. As such, marriage is a Sacrament of the Church. The ceremony is to be attested to by at least two witnesses besides the priest or deacon; it is to conform to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Canons of the Roman Catholic Church, and the local traditions of Sacred Heart Church.

Liturgy Planning

The priest that will be celebrating your wedding will assist you in the planning of your wedding liturgy.

Pastoral Music

Music is an integral part of your celebration. The Music Director, Dr. Jim Gallatin, will assist in the planning and implementation of all music for your wedding. He should be contacted as soon as your wedding date has been set, or at least two months prior to the date of your wedding. He may be reached at 757-625-6763 or jim@sacredheartnorfolk.org

Wedding Coordinator

Sacred Heart provides a wedding coordinator who is available at the rehearsal and the day of the wedding. The coordinator is responsible for the setup of the Church and helping the wedding party.

The Catholic Church requires that you prepare ahead for your wedding, preferably starting at least six months before the wedding.

During that time, you will attend a parish marriage information night, meet with a couple on the Marriage Preparation Team, participate in the Pre-Marital Class offered by Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia or an Engaged Encounter, meet with a priest at least once, and fulfill all the necessary paperwork required for your wedding and plan the ceremony.

At least one of the people who is to married must be a registered, active and practicing Catholic.

Sacramental Preparation

Ministries

...more

Marriage Information Sessions

2011-2012

Sundays at 1pm

September 11

December 11

March 11

June 10

Please contact the parish office office@sacredheartnorfolk.orgor 757-625-6763

to register for a Marriage Information Session prior to setting your wedding date.