PARISH OF SAINT LEONARD
553 George Street, New Waterford, Nova Scotia, B1H 4E4
Tel. 902862-2255  Fax 902862-7110  E-Mail: pastoralcentre.nwapg@seascape.ns.ca

Interested in celebrating your marriage as a sacrament in our Parish?  

The following are some points to consider.  These point are drawn from the tradition and teachings of the Church, liturgical norms of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, practice in our diocese, The Diocese of Antigonish as well as local traditions in our own parish.

These points  are meant to be helpful to you, like a step by step guide.  

We want to help make this a wonderful experience for you and for the Church.   We are prepared to do our best for you and know that whatever you can do will also make a big difference in the experience for you and the Church.

Nothing can replace your own connection with your parish.  May these points augment what you already are aware of?

God Bless!
Pastoral Team of the Parish
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PRE-CEREMONY DETAILS

We begin with assuming that that you are a regular participant at Sunday Mass and are active in the life of your parish.  If this is your case you will know the procedures and how the Church celebrates marriage and be familiar with the liturgy and how it all comes together to be a unified celebration of the Church.  You will also be familiar with your parish and your parish with you.  Therefore the contact with parish representatives will be relatively easy.

If you are not a “church goer”, active in the parish or serving in a work in the parish you will understand it may be unfamiliar grounds for you.  Not to worry! All things are possible with a bit of work on our part and a bit of work on your part.  There are lots of ways to make it better and come to know each other so that we may better serve you.   Hopefully you and others will have a wonderful experience of each other. 

Be sure to register in the parish where you reside by using a registration form in the back of the church or calling the office.  This registration will tell them that you are part of the parish and give them the basic information they need.    

Set up initial interview with your pastor or his representative.  He or a pastoral representative will do the prenuptial inquiry.  Be sure to bring a recent copy of your baptismal certificate (attainable from the parish of your baptism) and the place where both parties, if applicable, were confirmed.  Know the birthplace of parents of both parties. This is information required for the provincial marriage license.
Under oath both parties (bride and groom) will sign the forms needed for the celebration.  Usually the deacon or priest or a representative of the pastor interviews the two parties separately.  If there are any special conditions that require special permissions (dispensations) this paperwork will be prepared by the interviewer. 

Complete a marriage preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage offered by your parish or diocese.  This is a requirement of the bishop of the diocese of Antigonish for Celebrations of Marriages in the diocese.  Preparation often takes the form of weekend or evening sessions in groups or individually.  The certificate of completion can be added to the files sent to us or you can take it back here when you come to meet with the presider.  You must follow whatever are the rules of your parish and diocese.

Be a regular participant in Sunday Eucharist. This is not necessary but helps and certainly makes it all make sense.  For the Catholic parties your regular participation at Sunday Eucharist will give you opportunity to be familiar with the ritual.  You may discover a reading or a hymn that connects with Marriage and even with your own selves.  This will all help in the preparation of the ceremony and certainly makes lost of sense for those wanting to celebrate a Church marriage. 

CEREMONY DETAILS:

Liturgy of the Word 

Choose readings through sharing and reflecting together:

One from the Old Testament:		______________________
Psalm					______________________
One from the New Testament:	______________________
Gospel					______________________

Be prepared to talk about these choices with the priest or deacon who will preside so that he can get a sense of where you are at in celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage.

Choose a person who would be good at proclaiming these readings: The ideal is regular church lectors or others who are willing to practice this and do it well.	

The Psalm is a “song or poem” that is sung from the book of Psalms.  Your music person should be able to provide one of these from the songbooks in the church.  A cantor sings it.  If not, then the lyrics of the Psalm are read and this will mean another reader or job for the lectors.

Cantor:				__________________________

The couple, using examples found in the book given to plan the marriage ceremony, composes Prayers of the Faithful.  There should be about five.  These can be personalized but should also have a sense of the general needs of the world and the Church.  

Prayers of the Faithful: 	___________________________

Music Ministry: It is your responsibility to find someone who can do music ministry for the Celebration of Marriage.  Best is to chose someone who is up to date with liturgical music. Not all “Christian music” would be appropriate for a “Catholic” ceremony.

The guiding principle is that the music should be chosen from the books provided in the church.  We have the Glory and Praise and the Catholic Book of Worship collection.  There are many beautiful selections here that are already approved for use for liturgies in the Catholic Church.  Should you choose something from other sources, we ask that get this music and its source to us months in advance so that we can send it to the Office of Worship of our diocese for approval.  

Copy write is an issue that is becoming increasingly more important.  When you use hymns from the hymnals provided in the Church permission is granted to use these hymns.  It’s illegal to use hymns without permission.  

Musician:	_________________________

Soloist:	_________________________

Music Selections for Nuptial Ceremony:

Entrance:			__________________ (Hymn with a gathering theme)
Psalm:				__________________ (must be a psalm)
Gospel Acclamation:		Alleluia (sung)
Signing of the Papers:		_________________	(Hymn with a Marriage theme)
Closing Hymn:		_________________	(Hymn with a “send forth” theme)

Music Selections for Nuptial Mass:

Entrance:			__________________ (Hymn with a gathering theme)
Psalm:				__________________ (must be a psalm)
Gospel Acclamation:		Alleluia (sung)
Preparation of the Gifts:	_________________	(Hymn with a theme of bread and wine)
Holy, Holy			_________________
Proclamation of Faith		_________________
Great Amen			_________________
Lamb of God			_________________
Communion:			_________________	(Hymn with Communion theme)
Signing of the Papers:		_________________	(Hymn with a Marriage theme)
Closing Hymn:		_________________	(Hymn with a “send forth” theme)
All your selections should be passed into the office 2 weeks before the ceremony.  The title of the song, the title of the book and the number must be included.

If you plan on having a “unity candle” ceremony please provide these candles in non-drip form.  

Rehearsal: Everyone who involved in the wedding ceremony should be at the rehearsal.  This includes attendants; family; ushers, “lectors” and anyone who has a role.  For Friday ceremonies rehearsals is normally Thursday evening.  For Saturday weddings rehearsals are normally on Friday during the day or 5:00 p.m.

Photography - Video: It is normal that one person be designated to do these tasks during the ceremony.  Professionals are use to the do’s and don’ts.  Others should refrain from distracting picture taking during the ceremony.

Flowers and Decor: Depending on the season, the church is prepared by volunteers for the Sunday gatherings.  The decor usually fits the Sunday.  Additional flowers or decor can be used for the marriage ceremony.  The volunteers will place them according to custom and tradition.

The church is kept clean and prepared by volunteers.  It should be left in the same or better condition than it was when your gathering is over.  

Consideration is asked for those who have environmental sensitivities.  No scents make sense in public places. 

Your Nova Scotia provincial marriage licence can be obtained from any Access Nova Scotia Office.  This needs to be at our office one week prior to the Marriage to afford us time to prepare the civil paperwork prior to the rehearsal.

Set up an interview with us prior to the Celebration of Marriage to meet, go over the details and do the finishing touches.  This can be done via email or phone from the place where you reside. 

Please note that if you reside in the Parish of St. Leonard there are currently two ways that the marriage preparation program can be lived.  Deacon Leo and Viola Penny coordinate a “Sponsor Couple Program”.  They have a number of couples who walk with a couple about to celebrate marriage.  Deacon Leo and Viola Penny can be reached by leaving a message at the Pastoral Centre or calling 862-7366.  A second option for parishioners of the parish is the Family Life Department of Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia.  This agency provides courses a various times of the year.  You may contact them at 539-6868.  Both have costs associated with them.

If you reside outside of our Parish you will need to contact your leadership in the parish you worship in.  

In considering a date or space for your celebration within our parish please note that we are in a time of transition and the exact space you wish may not be available at the time your desire.  

Updated 15 May 2008