Guidelines for Weddings at St. Joseph Catholic Church

Transcription

1 Guidelines for Weddings at St. Joseph Catholic Church 830 Poplar Street Macon, Georgia Fax Times 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

2 Dear Engaged Couple, I am pleased that you have chosen to prepare yourself for marriage in the Church. Marriage, like Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion, is a Church celebration. When it is celebrated between two Baptized persons, it is also a lifelong Sacrament. You must be spiritually and emotionally prepared to enter into this sacred union. It is expected that Catholics be registered in their parish and be actively participating members. The minimal expectation is, of course, that a Catholic attends Mass each Sunday and celebrates the Sacrament of Penance at least yearly. I hope, however, that you are doing much, much more. Jesus and His Church want the most from us, not the least! As you prepare for Marriage in the Church, be sure your priorities are in proper order. Your wedding is only one day; your marriage is a lifetime. Be sure that you attend to the Spiritual aspects of your relationship and life together and not allow the details of the wedding celebration and reception to overshadow what is most important. Ultimately, the relationship of husband and wife is meant to be an image of the relationship of Christ to His Bride, the Church. As you review your relationship with one another, please reflect on how well you encounter Christ in each other and how well others see Christ in your life together. As you come together as husband and wife to begin to form a Christian home and family may God bless you abundantly and inspire you to renew your life in God and the Church. Sincerely yours in Christ, Father Allan J. McDonald Pastor

3 WEDDINGS AT ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH We are happy you are celebrating your wedding day at the historic St. Joseph Catholic Church. Our parish was begun around 1841 and our Church building dates back to The following information has been prepared and approved by the Pastor of St. Joseph to assist you in your planning. In planning the various facets of the celebration of your wedding, please remember that this celebration is first and foremost the Liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, a celebration of worship to give praise and thanksgiving to God. Therefore, the wedding must be planned in a way that enables all the participants to actively participate in the Church s worship during the Nuptial Liturgy. Theme weddings are not permitted at St. Joseph. Our Director of Weddings and/or the priest who is preparing you for marriage are the appropriate persons to answer any questions concerning what is proper for Catholic worship. All questions concerning music and musicians should be addressed to the Director of Music. Prior to setting a date for your wedding, you must check to see if the priest you want is available and if the Church is available. Those who live outside of Macon must be registered in a Catholic parish in the city where they live and be given written permission from their pastor for the wedding to take place here. They also should have a tie to St. Joseph Church to be married here. If permission is not granted from the out-oftown pastor/priest, the wedding cannot be at St. Joseph. Parishioners must ask permission from the pastor of St. Joseph for priests or deacons who come from outside the Diocese of Savannah to preside at a wedding here. The Diocese of Savannah requires a minimum 4-month notification prior to setting a date for a wedding. You must not set a wedding date prior to consulting with the Church and the priest or deacon who will preside. You must attend the required Pre-Cana instruction, complete the necessary paperwork and provide a newly issued Baptismal Certificate.

4 TIMES FOR WEDDINGS St. Joseph schedules weddings at 1 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ONLY. Rehearsals are usually scheduled for the night before the wedding. Rehearsals may be scheduled at 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. CONTRIBUTION FOR THE CHURCH & HALL For those who are not a registered member or have been registered for a year or less, the donation is $700 for the use of the church. For those who have been registered and tithing in the parish for a year or longer before requesting a contract, the donation is $450 for use of the church. A $250 deposit is required to reserve and confirm your wedding date and the balance is due no later than two (2) weeks prior to the ceremony. The fee for the church includes the organist and a wedding director. The cantor s fee (normally ranging from $50-100) is additional and is based on the amount of vocal music the bride requests. The Music Director will be able to tell you the exact fee when she meets with the bride to plan music. The cantor s check should be given to the wedding director the day of the wedding. For the use of the Social Hall, the fee is $500, plus a $100 (refundable) deposit. The deposit is required to reserve the hall. The fee for the hall is due one month before the wedding date. If the hall is left in acceptable order, the deposit will be refunded to the renter. The bride is responsible for hiring one off duty sheriff for security if the social hall is used for the reception. The Wedding Director has contact information. MUSIC Because a wedding is an official ceremony of the Roman Catholic Church, guidelines for sacred music in the Catholic Liturgy are to be followed. 1. Music for all weddings, either within or outside of Mass, is to follow the liturgical norms for Catholic Liturgy and must enable the active participation of all in attendance. 2. A wedding within the Mass should include active singing participation of the following parts: a) Responsorial Psalm b) Gospel Acclamation c) Holy, Holy d) Mystery of Faith Acclamation e) Great Amen f) The Lord s Prayer (Our Father) 3. The Lord s Prayer (Our Father) is an integral part of the wedding Liturgy which is to be prayed by the People. It MAY NOT be sung as a solo, whether within or outside of Mass. The solo version may ONLY be used as a part of the prelude. 4. The singing of congregational hymns is encouraged. There may be an opening hymn, a closing hymn, or a hymn during communion. 5. Solos may be sung ONLY as a part of the prelude to the Liturgy, during the seating of grandmothers and mothers, as processional music, during the preparation of the Gifts at the Mass, during Holy Communion, or at the presentation of a rose to the Blessed Virgin. Your cooperation in not requesting exceptions to this will be greatly appreciated.

5 6. Couples may wish to print a program to help facilitate the active participation of the congregation. It is also a nice keepsake for couples and their guests. 7. ONLY SACRED AND CERTAIN CLASSICAL MUSIC may be used at St. Joseph. Music with sacred words but written in a popular style is not permitted. Pop music or music of a secular character is not appropriate for a wedding at St. Joseph. 8. St. Joseph guidelines for music are exactly that St. Joseph guidelines and may or may not agree with the music policies of other Roman Catholic parishes. The final decision in determining the appropriateness of wedding music and/or wedding music policies for this parish belongs to the pastor. ORGANIST AND OTHER MUSICIANS All weddings at St. Joseph are to use the services of the parish Organist. Only with rare exceptions may an outside organist be enlisted, and then only with the approval of the parish organist and pastor. In such a case, the resident organist will be paid her fee in full as a professional courtesy. Please contact the Music Director/Organist at least two months prior to your wedding to arrange a consultation to plan your wedding music. (If you are planning to use additional musicians see next paragraph you will need to contact the Music Director sooner.) Nelda@st-joseph.cc or Nelda Chapman, , ext In order to ensure that the quality of liturgy is maintained, only active members of St. Joseph cantor staff will be used to sing the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass parts (Holy, Holy etc.). If you wish to have instrumentalists or additional vocalists for solos (see previous section), they MUST be cleared with the parish Music Director in advance, even if they have performed at prior weddings at St. Joseph. Please do not ask anyone to sing or play at your wedding prior to your consultation with the parish Music Director. Vocalists and instrumentalists are responsible for providing for the organist legal accompaniment copies (not photocopies) for music in the key in which it is to be sung or played. The organist can suggest/recommend vocalists and instrumentalists if you need assistance. If you engage the services of a vocalist/instrumentalist, he or she must contact the parish organist to schedule a rehearsal. The parish organist will normally be present for the Friday night rehearsal and can usually schedule a short rehearsal with other musicians immediately following the wedding rehearsal. Additional rehearsal (if needed) with other musicians may be scheduled and may incur a fee of $25/half hour. Rehearsals with all extra musicians are mandatory. The Choir (Choirs) of St. Joseph may be available to sing for weddings, depending on other commitments, and has (have) in their repertoire several standard selections appropriate for weddings. Their fee is $500, which includes leading the congregation in song throughout the Mass and performing two or three choral pieces. Additional notes about music: 1: No portable or additional sound equipment (i.e. sound systems, amplifiers, tape players and such) may be brought into the parish church. 2. Organ and classical (orchestral) instruments may be used, including classical guitars. Classical guitar literature is permitted. Standard guitars are NOT permitted. All singing must be accompanied. Bagpipes may be permitted outside of the church. 3. Members of the wedding party may not perform at the wedding.

6 4. The choir loft is open only to PROFESSIONAL photographers and musicians. PROFESSIONAL photographers must not interfere with/or distract the musicians. Amateur photographers, guests, and members of the wedding party may not sit or hang out in the choir loft. THE CHURCH S WEDDING DIRECTOR The parish will provide, as part of your fee, the Wedding Director. When you reserve the Church, the parish secretary will notify the Wedding Director. The Wedding Director directs the rehearsal and wedding. The Wedding Director will contact the bride and set up a meeting to discuss details of the rehearsal and wedding service. An outside wedding director or coordinator may be used for other aspects of the wedding, but during the rehearsal and service he/she will turn responsibility over to the wedding director of St. Joseph. St. Joseph will provide altar servers for the wedding unless prior arrangements have been made with the Wedding Director. GUIDELINES FOR DECORATIONS Since our sanctuary is very ornate, the function of various furnishings should be respected and emphasized. There is a limited amount of space available for placement of decorations and flowers. Therefore, the following guidelines must be followed: 1. Flowers, palms, ferns, etc. may be used on the main altar, Mary s altar and/or the Sacred Heart altar. 2. Flowers and plants are to remain in the church for the weekend Masses. Rental plants may be removed on Monday or the next business day. Artificial flowers or plants are forbidden. 3. You may use the Church s candelabra. Other candelabra ARE NOT ALLOWED. Candles with globes may be placed at the end of pews in the Church. The Unity Candle is not allowed at St. Joseph Church. 4. FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE USE OF RICE, BUBBLES, BIRDSEED, etc., IS NOT ALLOWED. 5. Small arrangements of flowers or bows may be used to mark reserved pews. Such arrangements may only be attached in such a way as not to damage the pews nails, glue or tape that will leave a mark MAY NOT BE USED. 6. The Church will provide kneelers and chairs. 7. SINCE AISLE RUNNERS ARE DIFFICULT TO USE AND CAN BE DANGEROUS, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ST. JOSEPH.

7 8. Flower girls may NOT drop fresh flower petals. The oils and color stain the marble and are slippery. They can carry arrangements in baskets or drop silk petals. Assistance with clean up is appreciated. 9. The Visit to the Blessed Virgin Mary s Chapel: Any who wish to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in a special way may do so at the end of the Nuptial Liturgy. If desired, flowers may be placed at Mary s altar at that time. A florist may also place flowers at Mary s altar before the wedding. 10. Remembering deceased family members is allowed during the Prayers of the Faithful. Prior to the wedding a lighted memorial candle may be placed in the Sacred Heart chapel. An explanation of the candle may be made in the program. This is purely at your discretion. 11. Decorations may be placed outside the Church on the black railings. Wreaths may be put on the outside Church doors. Decorations must be removed immediately following the ceremony. A clean-up fee will be assessed if not removed. TIMES FOR DECORATING You are strongly urged to contact our Wedding Director to set a time when your florist may come to the Church and begin decorating. 1. If flowers are to be delivered, the florist must arrange to have someone from the Church meet them to unlock the door. Flowers may be kept in the back of the Church behind the altar before decorating. No flowers may be delivered and simply dropped at the Church before the wedding. Our Wedding Director is available to show the florist where arrangements can and cannot be placed. Please let the Wedding Director know if you plan to use the Church urns. 2. The Church may be decorated before the wedding only. 3. Occasionally, the Church is used for two weddings on the same day. If that should be the case, decorations for the second wedding will have to be done after the first wedding party leaves the Church. You may wish to share expenses with the other wedding. Our Wedding Director will be happy to answer any questions concerning the decorating of the Church.

8 GUIDELINES FOR BRIDAL PARTY WOMEN: At the Rehearsal: Rehearsal attire may range from dressy casual to Sunday church dress. Dressier party clothes may also be worn. In all cases remember that it is a House of God and everyone should dress with appropriate respect and modesty. At the Wedding Liturgy: Garments for the bride and her attendants need not be expensive to be tasteful and becoming. Brides may choose from many styles and fabrics, but please remember that classic and timeless will always be suitable. Again, you are being married in a House of God and how you dress should reflect your respect for Him. The bride and her attendants may use the Social Hall Nursery to dress. Make arrangements to have personal belongings organized and either removed before the wedding or as soon as the service is over. The building should be kept locked during the service. If snacks and water/soft drinks (no liquor or wine should be consumed prior to the wedding) are brought in, the trash must be placed in bags in the trash can. Smoking is only permitted outside. A clean up fee will be assessed if there are violations. MEN: At the Rehearsal:. Business casual or dressier attire is appropriate for the rehearsal. You are asked to respect the House of God and the importance of this sacrament. At the Wedding Liturgy: The Groom and groomsmen have several options in formal attire. Choice will be dictated by the time of the wedding and the formality of the Bride s attire. Black tuxedo, suit or tails are always appropriate choices. The Groom, groomsmen, and ring bearer should arrive at the church dressed in wedding attire. The men may gather in the nursery, the Wedding Director will help with any questions you may have. FLOWER GIRLS AND RING BEARERS: Any children participating in the wedding ceremony must be 5 years of age and older (NO EXCEPTIONS). Children must be disciplined and able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time. If there is a disruption during the ceremony, the Wedding Director will remove the child from the wedding area. PHOTOGRAPHER We gladly welcome PROFESSIONAL photographers! Please follow the guidelines listed: 1. We ask that the photographer take only one photograph (if flashes are to be used) as the bride goes up the aisle and one as the couple comes down the aisle. NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED DURING THE WEDDING CEREMONY. If flashes are not needed, the photographer may take as many photographs as desired from the back of the Church as long as the photographer doesn t distract the congregation. 2. Photographers are asked to contact the Wedding Director prior to the wedding to inquire about the positions they may assume in the Church during the ceremony. NO PHOTOGRAPHER MAY ENTER THE SANCTUARY. 3. If the ceremony is to be videotaped, the operator of the camera must contact the Wedding Director prior to the wedding for instructions on camera placement. Elaborate video equipment will not be permitted in the sanctuary. THE VIDEO CAMERA MUST BE STATIONARY AND UNMANNED. 4. Pictures must be completed 45 minutes prior to the start of the wedding. 5. Pictures must be completed 30 minutes after the wedding. 6. Photography before or after must in no way interfere with confessions or other Liturgical functions. 7. Please remind the photographer the Wedding Director is in charge of the wedding. The Wedding Director, who will consult with the Pastor if needed, will answer any questions.

9 8. Only dignified and formal photographs may be taken in the Church. There are no casual or disrespectful poses in the Church, such as sitting on the floor. The sacredness of the Church building must be preserved through appropriate conduct. 9. Please inform your wedding guests and family members that they may NOT take pictures at any time during the ceremony. This may be communicated via a sentence in your printed program: Photography by wedding guests is prohibited during the ceremony. A professional photographer has been engaged. 10. If you want a picture with the priest, that needs to be the first picture after the ceremony. Please reserve a receiving line for the reception and not immediately following the recessional. IN CONCLUSION Prior to celebrating your wedding, Catholics are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance (Confession). You may come at the normally scheduled time for confession or arrange a special appointment with a priest. Couples who live together prior to being married in the Church are asked to live separately. This is a serious sin as it is a mockery of the Sacrament of Marriage. In addition, fornication (sexual gratification prior to marriage) is also a serious sin. Making a firm intention to avoid temptation and the near occasions of sin should be a priority for every Christian, especially Catholics. Preparation for marriage in the Church is a spiritual and religious process. Catholics are expected to: 1. Attend Mass every Sunday. 2. Go to Confession on a regular basis 3. Participate in pre-marriage instruction A final word of caution: NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are allowed to be consumed or be present on Church property prior to or during the rehearsal or the Nuptial Liturgy. Catholics are reminded that it is appropriate to fast prior to a religious celebration and to feast only afterwards. Consumption of alcoholic beverages prior to the nuptial liturgy can bring about the cancellation of the wedding liturgy. REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CATHOLIC MARRIAGES 1. Each party agrees to respect the other s religious convictions and beliefs. 2. The doctrine of the sacred indissolubility of the marriage bond will be adhered to, so that a second marriage cannot be contracted while both parties are living, even though a civil divorce has been granted. 3. Promise to be made by the Catholic party in a mixed marriage: I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ, and with God s help, intend to continue living that faith in the Catholic Church. I promise to do all in my power to share the faith I have received with our children by having them baptized and reared as Catholics. 4. Catholics must be married in the presence of a priest or deacon of the Church unless, for a serious reason, a dispensation is requested and granted.

10 NO COST, NO FRILLS WEDDING AT SUNDAY MASS For two baptized Catholics who desire a simple, no frills wedding, it is possible to be married at a Sunday Mass. In this case, only two attendants are allowed. All enter the Church with the normal procession. Bride and groom sit together with their two witnesses in the front pew. No more than four pews can be reserved for guests. After the homily, the bride and groom come forward with their two witnesses, exchange their vows and rings. The Mass continues with the collection and offertory. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the newlyweds receive the nuptial blessing. They would join the priest at the end of the Mass in the normal recession. All music is what is planned for the Sunday Mass. There would be no special wedding music allowed. In other words, the couple is married at a normal Sunday Mass as a normal Sunday Mass would be celebrated with congregational singing at the procession and recession. There would be no cost for this type of wedding. Weddings of this nature may be celebrated at the 4:30 p.m. Sunday Vigil (Saturday), 9:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. Sunday.