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  Information About Getting Married

  INTRODUCTION
       Congratulations on your engagement! We rejoice with you and we pledge our support. We, as Catholics, believe that the Sacrament of Marriage is the union of a baptized man and woman who freely enter into a covenant of love with each other in Christ for the purpose of sustaining a community of life and love and to accept children lovingly from God bringing them up in the faith by their word and example. 
       Marriage is a sacred reality for all people. We surround it with celebrations, parties and traditions which remind us of its importance. In the midst of your preparations we ask you to keep in mind the sacred and solemn nature of this sacrament. In marriage we celebrate a vocation that shows God=s love present in our world. 
       By your marriage in Church you are making a very public statement of your own faith and your fidelity to each other and to Christ, within the community of the Church. Therefore, it is expected that you are practicing your faith at least by being a regular participant at weekend Liturgies. 
       Please take the time before your marriage to prepare yourselves spiritually, for to sustain this sacrament it is necessary to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His body, the Church.
    
  PREPARING FOR YOUR MARRIAGE 
  A basic presumption is that at least one of you is registered here at St. Mary's Parish. It is the norm of the Diocese of Fall River that all couples preparing to celebrate their marriage within the Catholic Church must take part in the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program.  The details of this Program will be explained by the priest assisting you with your wedding plans.  Arrangements to attend the Program should be made soon after your first meeting with the priest/deacon.  When you complete the Program, please inform the priest. 
    
  If you are not living in the Diocese of Fall River, you must visit with your Parish priest and enroll in the Marriage Preparation Program in the Diocese where you are now living, if our Diocesan Program has conflicting dates, etc.  However, if you wish, even though you are living outside the Diocese of Fall River, you may also enroll in the Marriage Preparation Program offered by the Fall River Diocese. 
    
  Scheduling 
  The guidelines for the Diocese of Fall River state that those wishing to marry should notify the parish priest at least twelve months before the wedding date, Couples are asked not to make a firm commitment regarding date or time until after they have spoken to a Parish priest. Therefore, please do not book a reception hall until you have checked with the parish. Weddings are celebrated Friday Evenings at a convenient time or on a Saturday 12PM the earliest and 1:30PM is the latest weddings are celebrated. Sunday weddings are not an option. 
    
  Required Documents 
  If you have not been Baptized or Confirmed here at St. Mary's, the Church needs a copy of both records, recently acquired. If you are Orthodox or Protestant the Church also needs a copy of your Baptismal record. 
    
  You must also obtain a Massachusetts marriage license and present it to the priest prior to or at the rehearsal. 
    
  Should your marriage preparation require it, the priest may also request additional documents as needed. 
    
  Sacrament of Reconciliation 
  Sometime prior to your wedding, Catholics must celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).  This special encounter with the Lord will provide you with an opportunity to review your past and to reflect upon the new opportunities married life will offer you to know, love, and serve the Lord. Confessions are heard each Saturday 3:00-3:45PM. 
    
  PLANNING YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY 
  When you meet with one of our Parish Priest, you will be given a booklet to assist you in preparing for your marriage ceremony.  You will have the choice of various readings from the Scriptures as well as alternative prayers and ceremonies.  You are encouraged to have members of your family or friends assist at the wedding as readers and/or altar servers. 
   
  Music 
  Music adds so much to the beauty of your wedding celebration.  Care must be taken, however, to determine the proper musical selections that will support the sacredness of the celebration in the Church.  Music that is very appropriate for your wedding reception is not necessarily appropriate for the Church. The parish organist and vocalist are available to provide music for your wedding ceremony.  Please contact the Parish Music Minister, Mrs. Patricia Ferreira for anything dealing with the musical side of your wedding. Expenses for the music are handled directly between you and the music ministers. 
    
  Flowers and Decorations 
  You should feel free to make your own personal arrangement for flowers in the Church. Two Flower arrangements may be placed on the left and right side of the Tabernacle.  Feel free to have decorations such as bows on the pews.  Please use clips or strings so as not to damage the pews. It is also expected that these flowers should remain in the church after the wedding. More than mere decorations, they are an offering to the Lord, and should continue to adorn the area.  Due to insurance regulations, white runners are not allowed down the main aisle.
    
  Photography/Videographer 
  Have your photographer speak to the priest/deacon prior to the wedding.  The photographer is welcome to take pictures throughout the ceremony, as long as this does not distract from the sacredness of the wedding ceremony. 
    
  If you decide to videotape your wedding, have the videographer remain on the far side of the sanctuary with the camera on a tripod throughout the ceremony.  If you wish, feel free to return to the church for pictures after the wedding ceremony.  However, please be aware of time constraints, for other Church events could be scheduled soon after your wedding. 
    
  NO bright lights are not to be used during the Liturgy. 
    
  Marriage Unity Candle 
  Is not part of the Marriage Ritual in the Roman Rite and are not used. 
    
  Wedding Rings 
  Traditionally, wedding rings are blessed and exchanged during the wedding rite. The rings are given to the priest prior to the liturgy and placed on a small paten (plate) in the Sanctuary. Any rings carried down the aisle by a ring bearer are to be symbolic rings.. 
    
  Location of the Couple and Witnesses 
  The bride and groom will be provided kneelers and either stand or kneel during the ceremony. These kneelers are located in front of the Sanctuary. The two witnesses may either have two side kneelers next to the couple or be located in the front pew, bride and groom sides. If there are two or more couples acting as witnesses, both couples are located in the front pews, bride and groom side.
   
  Other Priests and Other Non-Catholic Clergy 
  We are happy to allow a relative or close friend who is a priest or deacon to witness your marriage. If one party is not Catholic this person is free to invite a minister to be present and involved in the ceremony. But that minister cannot witness the exchange of consent. They may do a reading from the Old or New Testament. Please consult our Parish Office prior to this invitation. [Priests/deacons who reside outside the state of Massachusetts must seek permission from the office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to legally perform the wedding.] 
    
  Rehearsal 
  The rehearsal for your wedding is usually held an evening or two before your wedding. Arrangements are made with the priest and the parish schedule. You may call the parish office to set a time. 
  
  Those who should be present at the rehearsal in addition to yourselves are: the best man and maid or matron of honor, other attendants, parents directly involved in the ceremony and those taking part in the liturgy. 
   
  Please be on time for your rehearsal. Courtesy to all demands that the rehearsal starts on time. When you come to the rehearsal, please bring the marriage license and form with the choices of prayers and readings. It is also appropriate to bring the offering for the Church, the wedding coordinator and for the altar servers (if available).. 
    
   BEFORE YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY 
  Please be prompt and on time for your wedding.  The ceremony should begin at the time you set with the priest and the time you have told your invited guests.  Courtesy towards the coordinator and your guests should be the guideline you follow.  The Church could well be needed for other events as soon as your wedding is over. 
    
  Rice/Confetti 
  Please inform your guests that the Parish will be grateful if they refrain from throwing rice/confetti either in or around the Church.  The reason for this is that the rice, especially, can pose problems of safety and can cause a cleaning problem, just prior to other Church services. 
    
  Liquor 
  Please be advised that liquor is not permitted to be served or consumed on the Church property.  If you are hiring a limousine, please instruct the company that alcoholic drinks are not permitted on the grounds of the Church.  This is a regulation of the Diocese of Fall River.  It is more importantly a basic norm relative to the dignity and respect we must all have for a place of Divine Worship.               
    
  AFTER YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY 
  If you plan on having a "receiving line" as part of your wedding, it is suggested that this take place at the wedding reception.  A "receiving line" in the Church can prolong the process and add to the problem of using the Church soon after the wedding. 
   
  Record Of Marriage 
  Your marriage is recorded both here at St. Mary's and at the City/Town Hall from which you have obtained a marriage license.  You may obtain a copy of that record at either place should the need arise
   
  Parish Registration 
  After your wedding, you become a new family in God.  It is most important for you to contact the local parish where you will be living and register there as parishioners.  If you are going to reside in Seekonk, make sure we have your new address. 
   
  Offerings 
  For the church $100 deposit and $200 at the time of the wedding. Checks are tax deductible.   
  The altar servers receive $ 10.00 (if available). 
  Fees for the musicians are set by the Music Ministers.  Please consult them 
   
  Cancellation or Change ofAddress or Phone  Number     
                                                                                                                                                
  Should there be a change of plans, please be sure to notify the Church as soon possible.