Jesus said “From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Mark 10: 6-9
Congratulations and God bless you on your engagement! The love you are sharing together with your fiancé, is special and unique to your relationship. God wishes to make/keep that relationship holy. The Church celebrates and thanks God for the love you share and will lift you both in prayer.
The Sacrament of Marriage ensures that the grace of the sacrament sustains both the future bride and groom for many years to come. The sacred bond of marriage is to always be protected and is holy. The exchange of sacred vows before God, family and friends, forever unites the hearts of the bride and groom as God brings the two together in this sacred union.
Please contact the parish priest – immediately after your engagement – make the Church your first priority before booking halls, photographers and the like. The sacred bond at the altar before God – is the MOST important part of your wedding day.
Upon scheduling a meeting with the priest, he will help you map out all of the steps each couple will take to lead up to their wedding day, and beyond! The Church is interested in your MARRIAGE, not merely your Wedding day. The Church wants to pray, support and love the couple through their learning to love one another more deeply each day.
The priest will help you to plan your wedding liturgy as well. While each couple will be able to choose scripture readings, liturgical music and some of the other important components to the liturgy – there are certain boundaries and guidelines that must be respected. The priest will once again outline those for you.
Each couple will need to complete a Marriage Preparation Course / Engaged Encounter Course to prepare for this beautiful sacrament. This will be discussed with the priest upon your meeting with him.
Note – no wedding dates can be booked without a personal meeting with the priest to ensure your freedom to marry sacramentally in the Catholic Church, as well as the availability of the parish itself. Please contact the parish office at 905-945-2661 or via email at sjrc.grimsby@cogeco.net.
Let us pray for all engaged and married couples as they learn to love each other more deeply each and every day. May God pour out his grace on you!
Sacraments 101:
Matrimony (why make it Catholic)
Sacraments 201:
Matrimony (more questions answered)