Wedding Policy

 

Getting Started:

The first thing you'll want to do before planning your ceremony is to schedule the date and time of your wedding with our parish secretary Cheryl Konzel at 814-452-2982 if you have not already done so. Since our wedding calendar fills up quickly at Saint Joseph’swe suggest scheduling your wedding at least six months in advance.  One year ahead is ideal. After that, you will have to call the priest or deacon that you want to perform the ceremony to make sure the date you picked is available on his calendar.

 

You will need to meet with the priest or deacon you choose at least three times.  The purpose of these meetings is to prepare your minds and hearts for your marriage. The priest or deacon will assist you with your evaluations and counseling and with the required documents for Church and civil validity.

 

After your initial meeting/s with the priest, the priest or deacon will be eager to help you with the appropriate one of these marriage preparation experiences: Pre-Cana, Engagement Encounter, or Nova. You must attend one of these experiences.  The final meeting with the priest will focus on planning the wedding ceremony. 

 

Diocesan policy forbids the wedding to be scheduled until after the couple has met with the priest and it is clear that the couple is free to marry in the Catholic Church and have the necessary intentions.

 

The Wedding Ceremony: 

If both the bride and groom are baptized Catholics, the wedding rite is placed in the setting of the Mass, the Holy Eucharist.  It completes the promises of your baptism as you marry and share the Eucharist with each other and with your loved ones.  If one of you is not Catholic or perhaps not baptized, then the wedding rite is usually celebrated within the Liturgy of the Word itself.  A wedding is a celebration of unity; excluding a major part of the congregation from sharing Holy Communion unduly accents the unfortunate incomplete unity of the Christian denominations.

 

Brides or grooms who are members of St. Joseph’s are welcome to be married here.  Those who do not belong to the parish must obtain written permission from their pastors to celebrate their wedding here.  When Communion will be given under both forms, it will be done so only if the presiding priest will be assisted by either another priest, deacon, commissioned acolyte, or by a special minister of the Eucharist. The Diocesan regulation permits special ministers of the Eucharist to serve only in their own parish. If you are choosing a special minister of the Eucharist from another parish, please have that person obtain a note from their pastor, and send it to St. Joseph Rectory no later than one month prior to the wedding.

 

 

Times for Weddings:

Weddings can be scheduled on Friday evenings or for Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.. On Saturdays all photography must be concluded by 3:00 PM to allow time for cleaning up before 4:00 p.m. Confessions and 5:15 p.m. Mass. Choice of rehearsal time will be on a “first come, first served” basis.  Rehearsals are usually held the night before the wedding. Weddings are usually not scheduled during the six (6) weeks of Lent.  The festivity of a wedding and the season of Lent do not blend well.

 

Decorations:

We suggest you visit St. Joseph Church and plan flower arrangement and placement to enhance the ceremony.   The recommended placement areas are:

· the front points of the sanctuary; side altars

· along side the altar of sacrifice, being sensitive to traffic flow

· on the reredos or back altar

 

Nothing is to be placed on the Altar of Sacrifice (i.e. flowers, unity candles, peace flowers, etc.)  All will be placed on side stands.  The florist will be responsible for placing the flowers in the sanctuary, marking them with your name.  The St. Joseph Office can put you in touch with any others to be married the same day as you, should you want to share expenses.

 

Bows or flowers may be attached to pews with rubber bands or pipe cleaners only – no tape please!  There are 25 rows of pews.  The center aisle is 80 feet long to center inside double doors. Any church decorations in place before the ceremony should be put back if moved.

 

Placing flowers in the sanctuary is more than a mere decoration—it is part of the worship that is your wedding liturgy. For that reason, it seems inappropriate to “take them back.” Being designed for church use, they often look out of place at a reception and are unfortunately often discarded afterwards.  When you leave your flowers here, they are reminders to the weekend worshippers to keep you in their prayers.

 

Unity Candle:

This popular option is not in the Church’s official Rite of Marriage. If you choose to light a unity candle during the wedding rite, you provide the candle. This can be either a single candle, which is lit from the altar candles, or a set of one unity candle with two smaller candles. Some couples invite their parents (mothers and/or fathers) to light the altar candles before the service.

 

 

Photography:

Photographers should wear proper attire and place camera and equipment inconspicuously in the Sanctuary before the ceremony.  Photographers are not permitted in the Tabernacle area.  Photographers should not be visible in the sanctuary and should not take photos from the side areas, particularly during the exchange of vows, the heart of the marriage rite.

 

Please be mindful of Church events that follow your wedding and have photos taken promptly.  Photo sessions should not go on longer than 45 minutes.  Since the church is a sacred place, this part should be with respect and quiet. 

  

Bride’s Area:

The north end of the vestibule at the rear of the church is the only area available for the bridal party before the ceremony.  For security reasons, do not leave personal belongings there unattended. The groom and groomsmen may gather in the sacristy.

  

Parking:

Parking is available on the South side of the church and in the parking lot adjoining, as well as on the north side of West 24th Street, across from the church.

 

Fees:

USE OF THE CHURCH

For any registered and contributing member of Saint Joseph Parish, there are no fees for the use of the church for your wedding. A contributing member is defined as one who donates a minimum of $5.00 weekly in the Sunday offertory envelope for at least 26 weeks prior to the wedding.  Please do not join the parish to get married here and then leave.  That is dishonest and it is just using the Church for your personal gain.  You would not let anyone do that do your family, please do not do it to our Church family.  You will, of course, be paying fees for the other professional persons you engage (musicians, photographers, florists, etc.).

 

Anyone who is not  a contributing member of St. Joseph Parish is required to make a $250.00 contribution, due 60 days before the wedding date, for the use of parish facilities. This will help with the expenses of maintaining our beautiful church. (In view of what you will spend for wardrobe, entertainment and other things, this contribution is not too much to expect.)

 

A $100.00 clean up fee for all weddings (due 60 days before the wedding,) and will be refunded on the Wednesday following the wedding if the church is left as clean as it was when you arrived.

 

MUSIC

Our music minister, Hannah Tatar, will meet with you and help you selet the appropriate music that is right for you and the Church.  She can be reached 814-452-2982. She has a set fee for her services if she plays for your wedding. You will probably also want to have a vocalist, and Hannah can put you in touch with one. Outside musicians are also welcome; however, they must be liturgically competent:  i.e., completely familiar with the Roman Catholic liturgy and liturgical practices.  Guest musicians are free to use our organ and/or piano, however, they, too, must meet with our music minister at least two weeks prior to the wedding. Pre-recorded music cannot be played during the wedding ceremony, but only as a prelude to it.

 

ALTAR SERVERS

Altar servers are not required, but if you wish to have altar servers, please let us know so that we can arrange to have them scheduled to serve. You can choose altar servers from your relatives or friends.  If you want us to provide altar servers, the appropriate gift to them is $10 each.

 

PRIEST CELEBRANT

There are no fees required for the administration of any Sacraments of the Church in the Diocese of Erie. However, you may choose to make an offering to the priest.  Taking into consideration the nearly five hours of discussion preparation and rehearsal time and wedding ceremony time your priest spent with you, a standard for your gift could well be at least what you spend for music or other professional service involved in your wedding.

 

Miscellaneous:

We do not permit the throwing of rice, bird seed, confetti or flowers after the ceremony.  Given our schedule, there simply is not time enough to clean it up.  It is also a nuisance for the wedding party’s hair and clothing.  We try to have the church and surrounding area clean and neat when you arrive and hope you will leave it the same way.  Smoking and the use of alcohol is absolutely prohibited inside and outside parish property.  If you are caught with alcohol before or during the ceremony you will be asked to leave the church and your wedding will not be performed here!

 

 

THE HOLINESS OF MARRIAGE AND SACRAMENTAL RECONCILIATION:

• In the Sacrament of Marriage, God calls couples to lives of holiness.
• The Church strongly encourages all Catholics to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance or Confession) prior to marriage.
• The Church absolutely requires all Catholics who are conscious of mortal sin to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to marriage.
• 60% of engaged couples are cohabitating before marriage. The Church clearly teaches that this constitutes a mortal sin and excludes one from receiving any other sacraments: Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation. The Church encourages such couples to live separately before marriage and to be reconciled with the Church as the best possible way to prepare for a lasting marriage.

 

There are several guidelines that should be kept in mind as you begin to plan your wedding ceremony.  These guidelines are meant to help make your wedding ceremony a truly beautiful celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony and at the same time, make it everything that you want it to be.

 

1)  The celebration of a wedding is part of the official prayer of the Church.  Everyone involved in the planning of your wedding ceremony should, before all else, realize it is first and foremost the celebration of a Sacrament.  It is during the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony that you will announce your vows to one another, before God, in the presence of the priest, and before your family and friends.

2)  The church must be treated with respect and devotion. You have chosen to be married in St. Joseph Church.  This church is a holy place.  This church is where the people and priests gather each day to celebrate the official prayer of the church...the Eucharist.  This church is where so many couples before you have come to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony.  This church is the place where the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation are celebrated.  It is in this church that the Holy Eucharist is reserved for private devotion and for the care of the sick.

3)  The Sacrament of Matrimony is celebrated with your guests. The guests are not merely spectators but they are participants.  They participate as official witnesses for the exchange of your wedding vows; they participate with you in hearing of the Word of God; they participate by their singing and in the responses to the prayers and blessings during the wedding ceremony.

 

4)     First things first. There is much time and energy spent planning a wedding:  arrangements with the priest, florist, photographer, caterers, etc. The list goes on and on! Many couples forget that the most important part of the entire ritual of getting married is the wedding ceremony itself.  You will want to put your best foot forward in the planning of your wedding ceremony. The Scripture readings should be chosen with care by the couple. Be thoughtful in choosing participants in the wedding ceremony.  Persons should be chosen to bring forward the gifts (if you are celebrating your marriage within the Mass). Readers should be chosen for the Scripture readings and the Prayers of the Faithful, etc. The priest can answer any questions you have concerning your wedding ceremony.

 

5) There is a difference between the sacred and the secular.  Just as you would not think of singing the “Ave Maria” or the “Lord’s Prayer” at your reception, so you should not think of singing “Turn Around” or “Ice Castles” at your wedding ceremony in Church. If you have favorite songs you want sung at your wedding...make sure you choose not only the songs but also the place. The text for any music that is performed at a wedding in St. Joseph’s must be based on Scripture or a liturgical text!  Remember, the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony is first, foremost and always a prayer!

 

6) Before making any plans for your wedding music, please call the parish Music Minister.

We welcome any questions you have regarding the music to be used at your wedding.  Often the couple to be married is not aware of what musical selections are appropriate for such an occasion.  The Ministry of Music at St. Joseph’s will help and guide you through this stage of planning in order that your wedding will be memorable and liturgically sound.  You may utilize our music staff for your wedding.  Outside musicians are also welcome; however, they must be liturgically competent:  i.e., completely familiar with the Roman Catholic liturgy and liturgical practices.  An appointment with our music minister should be scheduled 3 to 4 months prior to your wedding to discuss these details.  The music minister will be the first person to contact for ceremony preparation.  Guest musicians are free to use our organ and/or piano, however, they, too, must meet with our music minister at least two weeks prior to the wedding.

 

IN CONCLUSION:

The St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community staff will gladly answer any questions you may have. We hope your wedding in this beautiful church will be Christ-centered and we wish you many happy years together.   GOD BLESS YOU!

 

Please inquire about renting our beautiful, newly renovated, air-conditioned, Parish Center for your reception!  It has a capacity of up to 400 people.   Call the office for details!