As we begin the month of May, we also enter the wedding season for many parishioners, and for some of our parishioners, their wedding may be held in another church.
I have the opportunity to sit down with many couples to begin this wonderful journey and to help them become prepared for the sacrament of marriage. We start by discussing the Church guidelines. For instance, did you know that if you are baptized Catholic, the Church has rules about where a Catholic can be married if they want to receive this Sacrament? In these days some may choose not to receive the sacrament of Marriage because of a previous marriage in the Catholic Church, and they realize they cannot receive the sacrament of marriage until the prior marriage has been annulled. We are certainly glad to help with this process.
Did you also know that if a person is baptized in the Catholic Church, they are considered Catholic for the rest of their life? It does not matter if they have never been educated in the Catholic Faith, or have never entered the doors of the Catholic Church again, or even if they have formally left the Catholic Church by joining another church. They may not consider themselves Catholic at all, but if one day they are involved in a relationship and choose to become married to another person who is Catholic, then this will need to be addressed.
If you have any questions concerning these topics, please feel free to contact me, or consult your local clergy for clarification, instruction and guidance.