Sacraments — Matrimony

Matrimony

     To be married at St. Joseph's Parish and in the PNCC, one must be a member of this church no less than six (6) months.  (Go to the Membership link at the left or top margin.)  If there are extenuating circumstances and one is a member for less than six months, then approval from the Diocesan Bishop is required before the wedding can take place.  While it is preferred that both the bride and groom be church members, only one of them needs to be a member of the PNC Church.

     The Pastor will not perform weddings in or outside of the church if neither the bride or the groom are PNCC members.

     To receive the Sacrament of Matrimony:

• The wedding couple must be a man and a woman;
• Both must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity;
• If the bride or groom is not a member of the PNC Church, then she or he must be a member in good standing in either a Catholic or Orthodox faith tradition;
• Both the bride and the groom must be single;
• If either was previously married, then the previous marriage(s) must be annulled or dissolved according to the doctrine and regulations of the PNC Church.  (See "Divorce" above for more information about divorce, annulments and dissolutions of marriage.  A copy of the annulment/dissolution application is available for viewing or printing at the link on the bottom of the "Divorce" page.)

     Since the Sacrament of Matrimony unites the bride and groom in a sacramental bond with Christ, this sacrament may only be administered to couples who meet the requirements listed above.

     However, those requirements do not preclude weddings outside the Sacrament of Matrimony.  Baptized members of the PNC Church may still be married in the church and by a PNC priest (or bishop) to a non-Catholic or non-Orthodox Christian, or to a person of another faith.  Such a wedding requires the permission of the Diocesan Bishop.  If the PNC member or his bride or her groom have been previously married, then the Pastor can perform the wedding only if the previous marriage has been properly annulled or dissolved by the Church.

     Any baptized member of the PNC Church who is getting married at another church or place of worship may ask his or her Pastor to co-officiate.  (The Pastor is not obligated to do so.)  Such a wedding requires the permission of the Diocesan Bishop and that the protocol of the other church or faith tradition be followed.  If the PNC member or his bride or her groom have been previously married, then the Pastor can co-officiate only if the marriage has been properly annulled or dissolved by the Church.

     It is recommended that the Sacrament of Matrimony be administered during a Nuptial or Wedding Mass in the church sanctuary.  However, the Rite of Matrimony may be administered without a Mass.  Matrimony may also take place in a chapel elsewhere or even outdoors with the permission of the Diocesan Bishop.  The Pastor will not perform weddings in unusual places or outside of the PNCC Rite of Matrimony.

     No "Pre-Cana" or pre-marital classes are held at St. Joseph's.  However, couples must contact the Pastor and meet with him before they make any other arrangements for their marriage.  He will discuss their expectations in regard to married life as well as family life, rearing of children and participation as members of the Church.

     The Pastor will also meet with the wedding couple as many times as necessary to plan the wedding ceremony.  Couples also need to meet with the parish organist.  The wedding rehearsal is usually held on the day before the wedding in the late afternoon or early evening.

     Please be sure to contact the Pastor regarding his or the church's availability BEFORE booking a facility for the wedding reception.