According to our Catholic faith, Holy Matrimony is the covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by it's nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. Baptized spouses enter this Sacrament freely and with clear understanding that they will try to live their married lives after the manner of Christ's love for us. It is unconditional love, sacrificial in it's own right and until the death of one spouse. Not only is Holy Matrimony a legal relationship but a deeply spiritual one, one that is desired by the couple when they come to be married in the Catholic Church.
Diocesan regulations require all couples planning marriage to contact the priest or deacon at least nine months prior to the desired date of the marriage. Preparation for marriage at St. Mary's requires several meetings with the priest or deacon, several sessions with a mentor couple from the parish, attendance at a diocesan seminar entitled "God's Plan for a Joy-filled Marriage" and any additional preparation that the priest may deem necessary. As an alternative to the diocesan seminar and sessions with a mentor couple, the engaged couple may choose to attend a weekend-long "Engaged Encounter" Retreat. Please speak to the priest about your preference.