So, you want to get married?

Congratulations on your Engagement!
Parish Marriage Preparation Information
We as a parish community of faith pray that your time of betrothal is one of excitement, exploration, learning and growth. A wonderful opportunity for the two of you to deepen your commitment and love to one another, to the Church community and to God. The information provided here is a guide. For further details please contact the parish office 6 to 12 months prior to your planned wedding date at 532-2351. As Catholics, our approach to marriage and marriage preparation is based upon our religious belief that marriage is a “sacrament” - and not a “contract” between two individuals.

Marriage as a Sacrament
Over the centuries through personal experience, prayer, study and discernment we as the Catholic Church have developed a solid teaching about the spiritual effects of marriage. Along with this has arisen an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of married life. In recent years a variety of trends within our society along with portrayals of marriage in movies and the media have arisen that are different from our Catholic understanding and practice. Our common Catholic view of marriage is that it is a sacrament through which Jesus Christ is present to two people in the love that they have for each other. Further, it is a sign of the love of Christ for the whole Church, and so, marriage is a public celebration for the entire faith community.

In the celebration of marriage the readings are from sacred scripture; the music and songs are sacred in nature; the Church’s minister invokes the blessing of God on the bride and bridegroom. The venue for the wedding is the parish church building where we “the Church” gather for the celebration of the sacraments as a faith community. It is also the nature of the sacrament of marriage that while a wedding is solemnized on one day it is celebrated each and every day of the couple’s life.

Pre-Marital Work & Marriage Preparation
Prudence directs us to make serious life choices following due preparation. Just as a couple will go to great lengths to make all other plans for their wedding day so also the spiritual and personal readiness for marriage should be ensured. Marriage preparation is no guarantee of life-long marital bliss but it does allow married couples who have had the experience of years of marriage to guide engaged couples as they embark on a new life together as wife and husband. The pre-marital work for each wedding includes interviews with a priest or deacon; discussing the liturgical celebration of your wedding; exploring together the nature and purpose of the Catholic sacrament of marriage; and, undertaking a marriage preparation program. All of this can be outlined in three steps ...

Three Steps in Preparing for Your Marriage
1. The first step is to meet with a priest or deacon to discuss your wedding plans. We suggest calling ahead of time for an appointment. The priest/deacon will gather some basic information from you that is required by both the church and the province (names, addresses, phone numbers, baptism certificates, names & addresses of witnesses, and so forth). He will also discuss with you your choices regarding a marriage preparation program. During this first meeting you will also be able to book the priest/deacon and the church building for your wedding rehearsal and wedding celebration.

2. Following this first meeting with a priest/deacon you undertake the marriage preparation program that you have committed to. This could mean participating in an Engaged Encounter weekend or in a mentor couple program as agreed upon by you as a couple with the priest/deacon.

3. Once your marriage preparation program is complete you are then ready for a follow-up meeting with the priest/deacon. During this follow-up visit the priest/deacon has the opportunity to review your marriage preparation program and answer any questions that you may have. He also discusses further with you the nature and purpose of marriage as understood by the Church. During this visit you may also further the liturgical planning for your wedding celebration: what scripture readings you would like, what selections from sacred music you would prefer, and other elements of the celebration.

Some Additional Considerations

Weddings Outside of Grande Prairie
If you are living in Grande Prairie but would like to celebrate your wedding in another community we can assist you in completing the pre-marital interviews and marriage preparation here in Grande Prairie. Once completed we will send along your “marriage file” to the parish where you will be celebrating your wedding. If you are planning to celebrate your wedding out-of-town please contact our parish here in Grande Prairie at least six months prior to your proposed wedding day. Time is needed to not only complete your pre-marital work and preparations but also time is required to forward your “marriage file” to the parish where you will be celebrating your wedding.

Wedding Times
Here at St. Joseph Parish we are able to celebrate up to four weddings on most (but not all) Saturdays of the year. The times of our wedding celebrations are 12:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 5:00. It is also possible to celebrate weddings on most weekdays (Monday through to Friday) of the year. In Canada weddings are normally not celebrated on Sundays.

Outdoor Weddings
The usual place for celebrating weddings is the parish church. Your wedding day will be a very joyful and personal day for you and your family and it is also at the same time a sacrament of the Church and a public celebration of worship. It is suitable that as a sacrament and public celebration of worship your wedding be celebrated in the “house of the Church” where we as the Church usually gather to worship and celebrate.