 | |
Dear Newly Engaged Couple, Congratulations and best wishes on your engagement and decision to marry in the Catholic Church. The priests, deacons, staff and community of St. Walter look forward to sharing in this important time in your lives. We offer you our support and encouragement as you prepare for marriage. We will do all that we can to help you prepare not only for a beautiful wedding day but also for a beautiful marriage. A wedding day is a very important day in life—a marriage is a lifetime. In order to help you prepare for your marriage, we have put together the information in this booklet. If you have any questions, call us at the Parish House offices. Please know that you are in our prayers during this time of preparation.
In Christ’s Love, The St. Walter Priests, Deacons and Staff 630-894-2461
Preparation
Marriage License A Marriage License must be obtained from the County Clerk’s Office. Both parties must appear together at the office listed below. Identification and proof of age is required. There is a $30.00 fee (cash). You must obtain your marriage license in DuPage County. You cannot be married at St. Walter Church with a license from another county. The license is valid for sixty days from the date it is obtained. You should present the license to the Priest, Deacon, or Wedding Coordinator the night of rehearsal if not sooner. County Clerk’s Office Documents These necessary documents are to be presented at least one month prior to the wedding:
Other documents may be required. If so, the Priest or Deacon assisting you will inform and help with them. Fees St. Walter Church charges a $250.00 fee for parishioners and a $350.00 fee for non-parishioners. This fee covers the use of the Church and the Parish’s Marriage Preparation Program. THIS FEE IS NONREFUNDABLE. No wedding date can be set before the initial interview with a Priest/Deacon. When fees are paid, not only is your wedding date reserved, but a rehearsal is scheduled and you are given your checklist and wedding packet of information. No one is denied the Sacrament of Marriage because they cannot afford the wedding fees. The Pastor will determine any exceptions. The fee for the services of the parish Wedding Coordinator is $75.00 and for each of two Altar Servers is $10. These fees are due at the time of rehearsal. Musicians fees should also be given to the Wedding Coordinator at the rehearsal. Musicians fees will vary depending on the number of musicians and vocalists that will be used. The amount is determined by the couple and the musicians involved in the wedding ceremony. If you wish to remember the Priest or Deacon officiating at the wedding, he should receive a separate gift. The Parish does not pay the Priest, Deacon or Visiting Priest to witness the marriage.
Marriage Preparation Process Marriage Preparation Workshop All engaged couples in the Joliet Diocese are required to participate in a formal marriage preparation program. The Priest/Deacon will explain the process most commonly used at St. Walter Parish—The Marriage Preparation Workshop. Other options are available throughout the diocese for couples to use in preparing for the best marriage possible. The St. Walter Marriage Preparation Workshop is held three times per year on Saturdays from 9:00am to 4:00pm in St. Francis Hall. A schedule of workshop dates is provided with this packet. FOCCUS Part of the Marriage Preparation Process at St. Walter includes the completion of the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study). Through a series of statements the engaged couple is able to look at issues that arise in marital relationships. The FOCCUS is not a test that you pass or fail, but rather an inventory that focuses on areas of married life to help a couple know each other on a deeper level. The Priest or Deacon will administer the FOCCUS. A married couple from the Parish who have been trained in this ministry will meet with you and discuss your inventory results. Wedding Coordinators As part of our goal to provide the best wedding experience for each couple, a Wedding Coordinator will be assigned to you. The Wedding Coordinator will assist with your needs at the church. She will be responsible for conducting the Rehearsal, preparing the church for the wedding and providing assistance at the church to the wedding party where needed. The Wedding Coordinator will call you two to four weeks prior to your wedding day. If you have specific questions pertaining to the details of the wedding before your Wedding Coordinator has contacted you, please call the Parish House office at 630-894-2461. Music Music is a form of prayer that allows the community to more fully participate in your wedding liturgy. All music is to be coordinated with Ms. Joan Figley, the St. Walter Associate Music Director at 630-894-5880 x251. She will discuss all music options for your wedding. A variety of musicians are available through the Parish and outside musicians may also be used. All music arrangements should be made at least three months prior to the wedding. All fees are determined once these arrangements are made. All fees should be given to the Wedding Coordinator at the time of rehearsal. Wedding Music Sessions are a great way to assist with planning. The Sessions allow couples to hear the variety of music that is available. They are generally held three times per year in Church. A schedule of these music sessions is provided with this packet. Private appointments with the director can be scheduled as needed. Wedding Rehearsal When the Wedding Date is reserved and the fees are paid, the date and time of the Wedding Rehearsal will also be scheduled. All who have an active role in the wedding ceremony should be present at the rehearsal. It is best to have your wedding party arrive fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled time. Your punctuality allows us be begin on time and conclude in a timely manner.
Wedding Liturgy—An Act of Worship We believe that the Wedding Liturgy is the most important part of your Wedding Day. It is a time for the proclamation and celebration of this exciting event in your life. It is not only the Bride and Groom who celebrate; but also those who have spent a lifetime caring for you and nurturing you. Your wedding liturgy is not a passive event, but it is the active rejoicing of the faith community in your love. The entire Church celebrates. It is a time for those gathered to give thanks to God for both of you and to ask for God’s blessings on your love and pledge to each other. A Catholic wedding ceremony imposes particular responsibilities just as it offers particular blessings. We encourage you to assist with the planning of your wedding liturgy – whether it be a Mass or a Ceremony. Each couple will be given a copy of the book Together For Life to use specifically for this preparation. The Priests, Deacons, Wedding Coordinators, and Musicians will gladly assist you with your planning. Choice of Rite The Sacrament of Marriage is celebrated in a Mass or a Ceremony, a Liturgy of the Word. In consultation with the Priest or Deacon, the couple will determine what form of liturgy will best enable their particular wedding assembly to celebrate to its fullest. Celebrant Relatives Priests and Deacons who are relatives of the bride or groom are always welcome to witness and participate in weddings at St. Walter Parish with the written permission of the Diocesan Bishop where they reside. Arrangements may be made through the Pastor. Altar Servers Servers will be provided by the Parish to assist at your wedding. If you desire to have a trained family member serve in this ministry, they are welcome to do so, but please contact the Parish House for particular information. Candles Fire codes DO NOT PERMIT the use of any extra candles or candelabras in the church. Unity Candle It is an option during a wedding Mass or ceremony for the newly married couple to light a large pillar candle that signifies their unity. St. Walter provides these candles for couples choosing to do so. The couple is given the candle as a keepsake. You may also choose to use your own candle and/or base. Please speak with the Wedding Coordinator about these arrangements. Rice-Birdseed-Confetti-Balloons-Flower Petals…. Absolutely no rice, birdseed, confetti, balloons or flower petals are permitted inside or outside of the church. These items create safety, maintenance and insurance problems for the parish. Because of our concern for the environment, the release of balloons is not allowed. Limit this custom, if used, to the place of your reception. Bells or bubbles are a nice alternative. Clean-Up It is your responsibility to leave the church as clean as you found it. Please have one of your Ushers do a walk-through and pick up any papers, discarded boxes and water bottles. This is a courtesy to the next bride and groom and to the parishioners of St. Walter. The Bride’s Room The Bride’s Room (inside the Women’s Restroom) is used as the waiting area for Brides. It is not intended to be used as a dressing room. You may store shoes, purses, makeup, coats, etc…in this room during the wedding. Please be sure to collect all of your items after the wedding and clear the room of flower petals, tissues, etc. THERE IS NO SMOKING OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED ON THE CHURCH CAMPUS. GUM CHEWING IS NOT APPROPRIATE IN CHURCH.
Other Services
Flowers The church environment changes according to the liturgical season of the year. All banners and plants as well as furniture must remain intact both during and after your wedding. Flower options are discussed with your contracted florist. Cut floral arrangements and plants are acceptable for use in the altar area, however, nothing may be placed on the altar table or arranged in a manner that inhibits movement around the altar. Include consideration for a bouquet to the Blessed Mother, a flower to parents at the Sign of Peace and/or around the Unity Candle. Maximize your flower budget by using your arrangements for church and including them in your reception environment. The Wedding Coordinator will be present one hour before your Mass/Ceremony to accept delivery and assist in the placement of arrangements and other decorations. Pew Decorations Bows, flowers, and toile are most often used as pew decorations. If you desire pew decorations, the very best way to attach them to our pews and chairs is with a large rubber band. No tape of any kind is allowed to affix bows or flowers. Aisle Runners Although permissible, aisle runners are rarely used at St. Walter Church. The porcelain tiles sometimes pose a slippery surface for aisle runners. If a runner is used, it is best to get 75ft –our aisle is 60ft long. The aisle runner should be placed by the Wedding Coordinator. Photography and Videography Your photographer and videographer are welcome to take pictures of your memorable occasion. Pictures from the side aisles, balcony, Narthex and rear of church are permitted and encouraged, however, no one may enter the sanctuary area during the Mass/Ceremony. No taping of microphone wires is allowed on floors or furniture. No standing on or re-arranging of furniture is allowed. At no time should the photography or videotaping process be a distraction. The church lighting is all your photographer should need but flash photography is permitted. After the Wedding Mass/Ceremony is over, the church may be used for pictures. All photography must be completed and the church vacated by 1:30pm following a 12:00noon wedding and by 4:00pm following a 2:30pm wedding. Please have your photographer and videographer consult with the Wedding Coordinator before the wedding for any further instructions.
CONGRATULATIONS
AND
BEST WISHES
08-08
|