St. Michael the Archangel Parish

 Preparing Your Marriage (Brochure)

  

Parish Office:	330-492-3119
Pastor:	Fr. Bradford N. Helman ext. 12
Parochial Vicar:	Fr. Matthew J. Albright ext. 11
Music Minister:	Mr. Kevin Kutz ext. 15
Sacristan:	Mrs. Diana Lillich ext. 21
Parish Administrator:	Mrs. Mary Germann ext. 24
Sponsor Couples:	Ms. Jeanne Hudak ext. 20

 

Your wedding is one of the most significant days of your life. We are happy to assist you in making arrangements for your special celebration. Please read this pamphlet in order to become aware of the procedures  regarding your marriage at St. Michael’s. If you have any questions one of the priests will be happy to assist you.

 

Weddings are a special and joyful time for brides, grooms, for their families, friends, and for the parish community. We are happy that St. Michael’s Parish will play a role in this sacred and blessed event in your lives. We will do everything in our power to make your wedding a memorable occasion.

 

  

Anyone considering sacramental marriage must understand the conviction  of Jesus regarding the sacredness of marriage. Christian Marriage is not only a commitment between a man and a woman, but a life long commitment of the couple to God and the community of believers. When you come to  Church and vow “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I will love you and honor you all the days of my life,” you make a commitment to God and the Church as well to each other. In this covenant of love you vow to be an example of God’s love for his people as symbolized in your love for one another. In return, God and the community of believers joyfully commit to supporting you. Everything in your wedding should reflect Christian love and dedication.

 

 

 

 

Weddings are to be scheduled  at least six months in advance. The final date is to be scheduled with the priest you choose to officiate at your wedding. Normally you will choose one of the priests stationed at St. Michael’s. Permission to have an outside priest is given especially if he is a close friend or relative.

 

At the time your date is finalized a deposit of $150.00 is required to hold your date and time. Half of this amount is a stipend for the priest, the other half is a donation for the use of the Church. Non-parishioners may request marriage here with a letter of permission from their pastor. A deposit of $300.00 is required, $50.00 for the priest, $250.00 is a donation for the use of the Church.

 

Weddings are usually scheduled on Saturdays at 2:00pm and after the 4:00pm Mass. Weddings are not scheduled on Sundays. Other times and days may be arranged.

 

Due to the Saturday 4:00 Mass for Sunday, we ask that those scheduled for the 2:00 pm weddings depart from the church by 3:45pm. A room in which the bride may dress is available 1 1/2 hours prior to the ceremony.

  

While we provide this room for your use, we ask you that you leave the room in an orderly fashion.

 

Persons seeking an annulment from a previous marriage are not permitted to schedule a wedding date until after the annulment has been granted.

 

 

You will meet with the priest several times to prepare for your wedding. The priest will discuss your readiness to make a permanent commitment. He will also schedule your rehearsal time and help plan the ceremony.   It is important that rehearsals begin promptly. The rehearsal takes approximately one hour. 

 

A required part of the marriage preparation includes 4 meetings with a sponsor couple in their home. A sponsor couple will be assigned to you prior to the wedding. If you live outside this area other arrangements may be made with your priest. The Church requires that all couples prepare for marriage. 

 

 

At the initial meeting with the priest, you will be given a booklet to help you plan your marriage. This book assists you in choosing your own bible readings and prayers.

 

You are asked to choose three persons as readers. Two will read the Scriptures and the third will read the Prayers of the Faithful (Intercessions). These readers should exemplify the Christian lifestyle as well as possess the ability to speak in a  loud clear voice.

 

 

Two optional rituals are available to you within the wedding ceremony:

The Church space is usually decorated in greenery. Extra floral arrangements need not be elaborate. When there is more than one wedding on the same day, arrangements could be made between the two families to share the flowers.   Flowers placed in the Church should be taken with you immediately following the ceremony. Additional candles and candelabras for the aisle may be rented from the Church. Please contact the sacristan.  

 

Each couple must contact our music minister, Kevin Kutz, with regard to music for the ceremony. We ask that you keep in mind the religious  nature of your wedding and select appropriate music. The Music Minister will guide you in this process. If a soloist/cantor is desired he will provide you with a list of available cantors in the parish. You may also use someone outside of the parish. Regardless, the music minister is to be informed of any decision and he will work together with you on these details. The cost of all musicians should be discussed with the Music Minister as well.

 

The liturgy during which you celebrate your marriage is a sacred moment. While we understand your desire to record this moment, we ask you to observe the following so that the sacred joy of this day will not be marred by photo and taping equipment and those who operate it. Please instruct all photographers and videographers of the following:

 

 

Both the Fannon Center and the Hartman Gymnasium are available for wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners. Please contact Mary Germann, Parish Administrator to reserve the facilities. You will need to make the proper arrangements with a caterer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Church/Priest:	$150.00 parishioners/$300.00 non parishioners
Music:	Set by music director
Servers:	$10.00 each ( Two servers are needed and will be provided by the parish. If the ceremony does not include a Mass, servers are not needed.)