St. Martha Catholic Church
Procedures for Marriage Preparation and Setting a date
St. Martha Parish welcomes you and congratulates you as you come to request marriage in the Catholic Church. The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are a sign of God’s great love for us all. Please read the entire page before proceeding forward. The following information is intended to assist in your planning process.
Marriage Preparation:
- If you know which priest or deacon with whom you wish to work, you can ask for them directly when calling the parish office at 281-358-6637. Or, you can speak with Francine at extension 200 and she will arrange for a deacon or priest to work with you.
- You will meet with a priest or deacon for four or five meetings for marriage preparation.
- Additional instruction after meeting with the priest or deacon: St. Martha parish provides a sponsor couple program - “For Better and For Ever” meeting in the sponsor couple’s home for five meetings. Or, the archdiocese offers an engaged encounter weekend www.archgh.org.
In order to set the date - A date may not be set until the following has occurred:
- The bride and groom meet at least once with a priest or deacon. Marriage preparation must be started and freedom to marry has been determined by the priest or deacon.
- The clergyman sets the date on his calendar, the church calendar, and confirms the date with you.
Once the date is set:
- Please contact the Wedding Coordinator – Liz at 281-360-5707, to schedule the rehearsal. The ministry of wedding coordinating has trained volunteers to guide participants during the ceremony and assist the deacon or priest as needed. Liz will schedule the rehearsal usually the evening before the wedding and she or another volunteer will assist you at the wedding ceremony.
- As it gets closer to the wedding date, please contact St. Martha’s liturgy coordinator - Gayle at 281-358-6637 ext 210 or at gayleh@stmartha.com . St. Martha has excellent cantors and accompanists. All music must be discussed with the liturgy coordinator. If you are interested, Gayle can show you samples of various wedding programs.
Cost:
There is no fee for use of the church or for marriage preparation if you are a registered member for at least one year at St. Martha or live within the parish boundaries. You are certainly welcome to make a donation to the church and/or to the person officiating at your wedding. There is a fee for the accompanist and/or soloist – the liturgy coordinator can provide you with that information when you meet with her.
If you are not registered and do not live within the parish boundaries, you are advised to contact your local Catholic parish. If they are unable to assist you, please ask the pastor or his representative to contact us.
Has either the bride or groom (Catholic or non-Catholic) ever been married before?
If yes, please contact Francine at 281-358-6637 ext 200 before beginning marriage preparation.