Sacrament of Holy Matrimony (Marriage)
In the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, a man and a woman enter into a matrimonial covenant.
Accordingly, they establish a partnership for life ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of their offspring.
In order to be married at Saint Simon Stock Parish (Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church), one of the parties should be a registered parishioner.
Exceptions can be made for former parishioners, persons who have family members who are parishioners and persons who have received Sacraments in our parish.
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Arrangements with our Parish office should be made at least six months in advance and prior to making any arrangements for your reception.
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Weddings are scheduled from Tuesday to Friday between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm and Saturdays between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, subject to other scheduled events.
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Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with a priest to discuss details and specific preparation for this Sacrament.
At this meeting, the clergy (priest or deacon) will conduct a required assessment to confirm your freedom to enter into marriage (Holy Matrimony) within the Catholic Church.
The questions will deal with such matters as previous marriages, age, maturity, knowledge about marriage, in instances where one or both of the parties to be married is under the age of 21, there may be a need to interview a parent or guardian to corroborate the statements which were made regarding maturity and readiness for marriage.
Once the clergy (priest or deacon) determines that nothing made known to him would prevent the marriage from taking place within the Catholic Church, he will confirm a day and time for your wedding.
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Marriage preparations involve the completion of a standard set of forms. Hence, if you are a Catholic, baptized or confirmed in a parish other than Saint Simon Stock Parish (Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Berlin and Saint Edward Church in Pine Hill), you must provide a recent baptismal certificate with notations (dated no more six months before the wedding is to take place) as well as First Communion and Confirmation certificates, if needed.
All documents submitted will remain on file in the Parish Office as a permanent record.
If you are baptized in a faith community other than Catholic, you will need a copy of your baptismal certificate.
(The original copy will be returned to you after the appropriate information is recorded, and a photocopy is kept on the file.)
Couples of different faith backgrounds need to apply to the Diocese of Camden through the Parish for “permission for mixed marriage or dispensation from disparity of marriage” to celebrate a Catholic sacramental wedding.
Lastly, the couple is responsible for obtaining a marriage certificate (license) from the town clerk a few weeks before the wedding, and such certificate (license) must be given to the priest.
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The Diocese of Camden requires that you attend a marriage preparation program (Pre-Cana Seminar) and FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory.
Both the Pre-Cana seminar and FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory are offered at Saint Simon Stock Parish.
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Please contact the Parish Office for the name of our Parish Music Director who will be able to provide the music for your wedding.
If you choose someone else, please have him/her contact the Parish Office to discuss the music.
Fees for the service of the Parish Music Director and a cantor, if any, and church offerings are discussed with the Parish Office.
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Rehearsal is usually held the evening before the wedding. The time is set after consultation with the priest.
It is the couple’s responsibility to ensure that no one in the wedding party has used alcohol before the rehearsal and the wedding.
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Please contact the Parish Office for more information, policies, and procedures observed at Saint Simon Stock Parish.
