The mission of the gospel
Congratulations on your engagement!
"The union of man and woman in marriage is a unique, natural, fundamental and beautiful good for persons, communities, and whole societies." Pope Francis
The Catholic Church upholds the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong and visible witness to Christ's faithful, fruitful, and total commitment to His Bride, the Church.
We at Little Flower Catholic Church are praying for you as you prepare to enter into this beautiful vocation. Recognizing this is a beautiful (and busy) season of your lives, allow us to help you prepare, not only for your wedding, but for the beautiful vocation to which you've been called.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Genesis 2:24
understanding the sacrament
Why is marriage a vocation?
The Sacrament of Marriage is a Sacrament celebrated between husband and wife. As a Sacrament of Vocation the union of husband and wife and the formation of their family reveals a unique and exclusive path by which Christ accompanies the recipients: through the presence of their spouse and family.
The Sacrament may be entered into by any male and female who are free to marry according to the Catholic Church.
Requirements
Because of the unique situations of every couple, those wishing to receive the Sacrament of Marriage at Little Flower Catholic Church are encouraged to contact us soon after the engagement to begin the process. We advise couples that it takes at least 6 months to go through the process.
Questions and Answers
Frequently asked questions
In order to set a date for the wedding, the couple must first meet with one of the priests of the parish to determine the couples freedom to marry according to law. This initial meeting is an opportunity for the priest to meet the couple, explain the marriage preparation process, begin the initial paperwork, answer any questions or concerns, and to find a date that works for the couple and parish calendar.
Prior to receiving the Sacrament of Marriage, every couple must go through a process of preparation. This process is usually directed by the priest who is celebrating the wedding. Due to the unique situations of each couple, there is a lot of flexibility in what this preparation process looks like. The details will be worked out between the couple and the priest responsible for their preparation.
For use of Little Flower’s facilities there is no cost. There is a $100 fee for the organist/cantor who will play/sing for the wedding. If the couple wishes the parish to provide additional cantors for singing, each of those is an additional $100 fee. The parish requires the use of an in house wedding coordinator. This person serves as a liaison between the couple and the parish regarding all logistical aspects of the wedding. They will also be responsible for preparing the church for the rehearsal and wedding ceremonies. The fee for the in-house wedding coordinator is $150.
Many times the parish hall is available for couples to use for a reception or rehearsal dinner. For more information on this affordable option, please contact us.