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Adult Formation & Spirituality   >   Marriage Preparation

Engaged Couples desiring to be married at St. Bartholomew should contact a parish priest or deacon at least six (6) months prior to the desired date.  No plans or reservations should be finalized until then.

Sacramental Policies
and Guidelines
 
General Guidelines
Canon Law requires that the sacraments be received in the parish where one worships and participates in community.  Therefore, participants in sacramental programs should be registered parishioners of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church who regularly attend mass.

Marriage
Engaged couples desiring to be married at St. Bartholomew should contact a priest or deacon at least six months prior to the desired date to begin preparations. Preparation for marriage involves an assessment phase and an instruction phase, in addition to planning for the actual ceremony. It is important to contact us before making any commitments or reservations regarding the wedding celebration. 

 If either person has been previously married, extra time is required to satisfy the requirements for marriage in the Catholic Church.  Marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic requires permission or a dispensation from the Bishop of the diocese. Catholics who marry other Catholics are encouraged to be married at a Mass.  Catholics marrying other Christians may also be married at a Mass, however, the non-Catholic party does not receive Communion.  Catholics marrying non-Christians should not be married at a Mass.  The Church does provide a well-planned and respectful ceremony for such occasions. Contact a priest or deacon as soon as possible.

CONVALIDATION:  Civil, "Common Law", or non-Catholic religious marriages, (those in which at least one party is Catholic and the wedding was performed outside of the normal prescriptions of the Catholic Church) need to be convalidated, unless prohibited by a prior, valid marriage of either of the spouses. Convalidation should be actively sought in order that the Catholic(s) may live a full, Catholic life.