Liturgies
- Weekend Mass Times:
- Saturday: 5:30 PM (English)
- Sunday: 7:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 5:00 PM (English)
- 12:15 PM (Spanish)
- 9:15 AM (First Sunday of the month only - German)
- Weekday Mass Times:
- Monday: 8:30 AM (English)
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM (English)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM (English)
- Thursday: 8:30 AM (English)
- Friday: 8:30 AM (English)
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The Sacrament of Marriage
The Catholic church considers marriage to be one of the seven sacraments. We believe that two baptized people, committing their lives, reflect Christ to each other, to their family, and to the world around them. Their goal and privilege is to help each other arrive in heaven, while sharing the joys and supporting each other in the sorrows in this life. Their marriage might also be graced by children, whom they raise to become disciples of the Lord.
With these lofty goals in view, the seriousness with which the church approaches this commitment is understandable. For this reason, canon (church) law gives us sound guidelines to follow in helping people to form marriages.
In a parish with fifty percent our parishioners between the ages of 21 and 40, it is no wonder that we get a lot of requests for weddings! (Each week we receive around 25 calls from couples interested in being married here. We celebrate between 70 and 80 weddings here per year, and work with another 70 or so couples who are preparing for marriage, but whose wedding is taking place elsewhere.)
If you are interested in being married at Saint Alphonsus, or you are connected here but are planning a wedding somewhere else, please look over this information.
When you are ready to get started with the planning, click here.
Who should be married in the Catholic Church?
What if one (or both of us) has been married before?
How do I arrange a wedding at St. Alphonsus?
What is involved in marriage preparation?
What if we want to do the preparation here, but are getting married elsewhere?
What if we are planning a destination wedding?
Why can't we be married outside?
What if we want a really simple wedding?
What if we didn't 'follow the rules' and were married without permission?
Why does the Church charge so much?
Who do I call?
Who should be married in the Catholic Church? All Catholics should be married in the Church or, with Church permission, in a ceremony in the faith community of their non-Catholic fiance. If one does not do this, the marriage is not considered valid from the Catholic standpoint, and must be resolved before one can receive communion at Mass. However, it is not difficult to be married as a Catholic. You just need to plan ahead of time.
What if one (or both of us) has been married before? The Church needs to make a determination that you are now free to marry another person. This is not an impossible process, but it might take time. Contact a priest or parish minister soon and begin the steps to resolve these questions- ideally even before you are formally engaged.
How do I arrange a wedding at St. Alphonsus? Because of demand, we have to limit weddings here to Catholics who are registered and contributing members of the parish. We need to see that evidence for at least four months before you ask to schedule your wedding. We are also responsible for attending to the sacramental needs of Catholics living within our parish boundaries, and so these may also marry here. Please allow at least six to eight months to complete the necessary steps for marriage preparation.
What is involved in marriage preparation? We have a Marriage Seminar that takes place over a weekend and an additional day. An introduction to Natural Family Planning is included in this, with followup meetings to be scheduled later at your convenience. In addition to this, we offer FOCCUS, an online questionnaire that you complete individually and discuss with a facilitator couple.
What if we want to do the preparation here, but are getting married elsewhere? About half our couples take this option. In addition to the preparation, we will aid you in doing the necessary canonical paperwork and getting it to the parish where you will marry.
What if we are planning a destination wedding? The same principles apply. You can arrange to be married in a church in the place where you are traveling.
Why can't we be married outside? The church considers marriage to be a sacrament. Being married in house of worship is an important symbol that your commitment is made before the entire community and with the support of the whole church.
What if we want a really simple wedding? We can do that! The essentials for a wedding are very simple. Cultural custom can add complexity that you may not want or need. There is no need to elope or to leave town to have a simple wedding, even in the Church.
What if we didn't 'follow the rules' and were married without permission? Talk to one of the priests/parish ministers. He/she will help you to resolve the situation and have your marriage recognized by the Church.
Why does the Church charge so much? It takes a considerable amount of overhead and staff time to work with all the engaged couples we see. The amount charged only partially covers our costs. Your contribution goes to partially cover the marriage seminar, the Natural Family Planning materials and training, and to process FOCCUS. In addition, there is the staff time taken in assembling the necessary documentation for you. If you are being married here, the organist and cantor are included, as well as the services of the parish wedding coordinator and other expenses associated with the ceremony. Altogether, as a percentage of what is spent on most weddings, it is a tiny amount.
Who do I call? If you are ready to schedule a date, call Linda Herrera in the parish office at 773-525-0709, ext.100. If you have questions about other issues mentioned above, Linda can direct you to the proper person with whom to talk.