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Marriage Preparation

- Our Faith
Wedding Guidelines
- Wedding Guidelines

The Sacrament of Marriage
Congratulations on your Engagement! This is an exciting time in your life and a time where the church can assist you in preparing for the awesome vocation of married life. Preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony requires the couple to enter into formation so that they may be ready to assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. Our pastoral staff is here to help you prepare for a beautiful life in the Sacrament of Marriage.

Preparing for Marriage is called "sacramental formation" where a couple begins to learn and prepare for the life long commitment of answering God's call to Marriage. The program of formation includes several meetings with the Priest, attendance at a workshop called pre-Cana, and the use of an inventory instrument so that the couple can identify their strengths, weakness and formulate a plan for ongoing growth.

A wedding date is not given until after the first meeting with the Priest. Formation of the couple takes a minimum of 6 months prior to the agreed upon wedding date. To schedule your first meeting with the Priest. Please call Joyce Gaston at (919) 570-0070 Ext. 105.

A typical plan of formation for the sacrament of marriage may include the following:
1. The initial meeting with the Priest, couple shares their story and they are given instructions for online inventory and workshop registration
2. A discussion about the importance of establishing a prayer life together, a take-home workbook is given to the couple
3. Review of Part I of the workbook and a discussion on the difference between contract and covenant
4. Couple brings new copies of their baptismal certificates and discusses communication, fertility and the moral life
5. An exploration of the theology of the sacrament of Marriage based on John Chapter 2 and Ephesians Chapter 5
6. A review of the couple inventory, confirmation that the couple has attended the workshop and selection of readings
7. The couple begins working with the Director of Music and Wedding Coordinator to finalize the ceremony details
Please note: The couple is responsible for making their appointments, completing their online inventory, registering for the workshop through the diocesan website, obtaining your marriage license from the county and handling any fees with the parish bookkeeper. Persons who are previously married or couples who have special circumstances may have a slightly different plan of formation and timetable. The above plan of formation is given only as a guide.

Our parish rejoices with you as God's beautiful call to the married life begins to blossom.
Requirements for Formation
Because of the seriousness of this commitment, the church requires:
- A minimum of six months of formation with a Priest or Deacon
- Assessment of Readiness for the Sacrament with Priest or Deacon
- Presentation of Sacramental Documents (Baptism etc.)
- Take the online inventory instrument called Fully Engaged
- Attending the Pre-Cana Workshop (see schedule here)
- Theology of Marriage Session #1 and #2 with Priest or Deacon
- Applicable fees as arranged through the parish bookkeeper
- Planning your Ceremony, Readings and Music
To schedule your first appointment for Marriage Formation, please call (919) 570-0070.
You are welcome to download and complete as much of the form as possible before the first meeting: "Information for Automated Marriage Forms," click here.

We look forward to working with you to celebrate this blessed occasion. God bless you.

St. Catherine of Siena

Catholic Church

Marriage Preparation

Wedding Guidelines

The Sacrament of Marriage

Requirements for Formation