Weddings at St. Pius X
This is an exciting and wonderful time in your life. Deep in your heart you realize that what is happening in your life is not simply
good luck or fate. It is God working in your life and bringing you together! Marriage is holy. And you are being called by God to a new
level of holiness and to bring your spouse to holiness.
We at St. Pius X share your joy and want to help you in preparing
spiritually for your life together through an authentic celebration of the
Sacrament of Matrimony.
We also want to help you plan your wedding ceremony as a positive
spiritual experience that you and your guests will remember with joy.
Please feel free to call us with any questions or any ways we can be of
assistance to you throughout this time of preparation and afterwards.
PRAYER BEFORE MARRIAGE
Loving God,
source of all love,
Your grace has brought us together.
As we prepare for the sacrament of marriage,
we pray for your blessing and guidance
so we may grow in respect for one another
and cherish each other and our world
with a sincere love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God, may Your love and peace
live and grow in us,
guide our steps,
and help us share God’s love
with each other and with all we meet
now and forever.
Amen.
- SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE
Initial interview with Wedding Prep Coordinator/ Pastoral Associate to discuss the Sacrament of Matrimony and:
- Your eligibility to marry in the Catholic Church
- Your relationship with the Church/our parish
- Requirements to prepare for the sacrament (PreCana, FOCCUS, etc)
- Set date/time for your wedding ceremony/rehearsal (No dates can be set prior to this meeting).
- Prayer and Spirituality as a couple
- Invitation to receive a special engaged blessing
- FORMS OF CELEBRATING WEDDINGS
Like all Church sacraments, marriage is celebrated in the context of the Word of God, witnessed by a priest or deacon on behalf
of the Church and the State, during the Liturgy of the Word and/or Eucharist (Mass):
- Two Catholics who regularly participate in the Parish and at Mass may choose to celebrate in the context of a Mass.
- Couples who are Catholic and another denomination/faith
will discuss what is most appropriate (Liturgy of the Word
with/without Eucharist), depending on your current practice.
- PLANNING YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY
The wedding ceremony is a community prayer that includes music, scripture readings, homily, prayers of petition, exchange of
vows, blessing of rings and the nuptial blessing. You will want to make it possible for the congregation to participate as fully
as possible.
- MUSIC
Choosing sacred music to help you and your guests worship and sing God’s praises is an important part of your planning.
Our Wedding Music Coordinator will be your organist and cantor who will lead the congregational singing. All music
selection and outside musicians is overseen by our Wedding Music Coordinator.
- AISLE RUNNER
We recommend an aisle runner not be used since the church is
completely carpeted and a runner can be a safety hazard, as well as
an unnecessary additional expense.
- PROCESSION
The procession should resemble the procession of Sunday Mass.
It is led by a crossbearer—ideally a friend or family member -
followed by the priest or deacon. Then the groom and his parents,
groomsmen, bridesmaids, followed by the bride and her parents.
Both the bride and groom have equal prominence in the procession.
Please read the guidelines regarding ushers and groomsmen.
- READINGS & READERS/LECTORS
We provide you with a variety of Scripture readings from which
to choose. We urge you to have well-prepared family members or
friends proclaim the Readings & Prayers of the Faithful (able to
read in front of a large gathering and enable all to hear God speak to
their hearts). You may also choose the Gospel which is proclaimed
by the Presider. Other readings may not be substituted for the Word
of God.
Please read the guidelines regarding lectors.
Bible readings for your wedding.
- FLOWERS & BOWS
You are welcome to provide 1-2 bouquets of flowers to add beauty
to the worship of God. These will be placed in the sanctuary and are
left in church as part of your offering to God and gift to the Parish.
Bows may be tied to the pews by the florist; no tape may be used.
- CANDLES
To highlight the connection of marriage with the other sacraments,
we use the Easter (Paschal) Candle, in addition to altar candles.
Optional: Unity Candle & 2 tapers, provided by you at the rehearsal.
You can display it in your home and use it on your anniversaries.
- PROGRAM
We encourage you to provide programs for your guests which
include the responses spoken and songs sung by the congregation,
as well as the names of the principal participants in the ceremony.
Please show the draft to your parish Wedding Prep Coordinator at
your meetings well in advance of printing.
- VIDEOTAPING
Videotaping with no extra lighting is permitted during the ceremony;
light/sound in the worship space are good. Couples may be wired with
microphones, if compatible with our sound system. No mounting of any
microphones to Ambo. Tell the videographer to get instructions from
rehearsal coordinator before the ceremony.
- PHOTOGRAPHY
Have your professional photographer/s get instructions from wedding
coordinator before the ceremony, and be as inconspicuous as possible.
Please advise your guests in advance that cameras may not be used
during the ceremony since they detract from the spiritual experience.
After the ceremony, the wedding party has 30 minutes for posed photos.
If more time is desired, make alternative arrangements with your
photographer to shoot photos at another location.
Letter to the photographer
- REHEARSAL/WEDDING COORDINATION
The rehearsal is usually held the evening before the ceremony. A
rehearsal coordinator will lead the rehearsal and coordinate the wedding
party during the ceremony. Everyone taking any part in the ceremony
must attend and be ON TIME so we can begin promptly and end in
reasonable time.
Please bring to the rehearsal:
- Marriage license
- Name/phone number of your videographer/photographer
- Unity candle and side candles (if using them)
- Programs, if you are using them
- BALLOONS, CONFETTI, ETC.
No balloons, confetti, rice, birdseed, petals or similar materials may be
used anywhere on the property. Blowing bubbles is permitted outdoors
in the parking lot after the ceremony.
- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/DRUGS
Please advise your wedding party and guests that alcoholic beverages
and drugs are strictly prohibited at any time on church property and
will not be tolerated at the rehearsal or wedding ceremony. If there is
evidence of use, the ceremony may be postponed.
- AFTER YOUR WEDDING
If you will continue worshipping at St. Pius X after your wedding, please notify the parish office so we can update your
registration card. If you will worship in another parish, be sure to register there as a married couple and let our office know
also.
The Church wants to be part of your lives as a couple. Please be attentive to parish activities that offer on-going enrichment
for you and an opportunity to share your gifts through volunteering.
When you start a family, contact the parish staff ahead of time regarding preparation for your baby’s Baptism.
- SCHEDULING AND FEES
Weddings are scheduled after meeting with the Wedding Prep Coordinator. Usually on Friday evenings or Saturdays, 11am-2pm.
| $75 |
Parish fee (materials for preparation and celebration) |
| $50 |
FOCCUS processing |
| $210 |
Music coordination (planning mtg, ceremony, cantoring) |
| $100 |
Rehearsal Coordinator |
|
A gift for Presider/clergy is your decision, made to him directly; and other musicians approved by our Music Coordinator are in addition to above Music fees |
| Total = $435 |
Payable at time of scheduling Marriage |
The fee for Pre-Cana at St. Pius X is $65 - registration is done on-line
using one of the links below:
Pre- Cana at St. Pius X on May 19, 2012. Click to register
Signing for the hearing impaired is available by calling Nancy at 247-2566
ext 107 at least three (3) weeks prior to the date of the class.
- CHECKLIST (Check off each step as you complete):
_____ Meeting w/Pastoral Associate (discuss readiness/date)
_____ Pay Wedding Fee to Parish when date is set
_____ FOCCUS (complete forms, then meet again to review)
_____ Register for and Attend Pre-Cana
_____ Liturgy Booklet/Planning with Wedding Prep Coordinator.
_____ Wedding Liturgy Prep Meeting
_____ Individual Planning with Wedding Music Coordinator
_____ Rehearsal and bring Marriage License
_____ Celebration of the Sacrament
_____ FOCCUS for the Future, couple discussion
_____ Follow up with parish meeting
Wedding Dates
2012 wedding dates
2013 wedding dates