“By reason of their state in life, Christian spouses have their own special gifts in the People of God. This grace, proper to the sacrament of Matrimony, is intended to perfect the couple’s love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity. By this grace they help one another to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating their children. Christ is the source of this grace … Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to … be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love. In the joys of their love and family life He gives them here on earth a foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (CCC 1641)
Church policy requires that the Sacraments be performed in the parish you are registered in, support and attend regularly. If you are not registered in a particular parish, then you may approach the parish located closest to you geographically. At St. Mary’s, you must be a registered, regularly attending parishioner for a minimum of 6 months before requesting a marriage date. For details regarding further marriage requirements and preparation for parishioners, please contact the parish office at least 6 months before the preferred marriage date.