Holy Marriage

Marriage As A Sacrament
The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament." (Catechism 1660). The grace of this sacrament is intended to perfect the couple's love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity. By this grace they help one another to attain holiness in their married life and eternal salvation!

Videos On Marriage:

• Understanding the Sacrament of Marriage 
• Why make your Marriage Catholic? 
• Finding Happiness in Marriage

Living The Sacrament Of Marriage Each Day
St. John Paul II once wrote: “the future of society passes through the family.” If we desire society to be renewed, we must renew family life and the way to renew family life is through assisting couples in living happy and holy marriages. St. Cecilia Parish desires to assist couples in living together in a joyful covenant that provides the ideal environment for children and grandchildren and radiates joy to neighbors and friends.

Here are some resources to assist you in living your sacramental marriage:

• For Your Marriage is a resource of the US Bishops for living holy marriages
• Marriage Encounter if a weekend retreat for couples that beings renewal and practical resources for living a sacramental marriage each day
• Retrouvaille is a weekend retreat for couples who are experiencing difficulty in their marriage and want to “begin again” to live their covenant with joy
• Team of Our Lady is an international ministry allowing couples to support one another in married life. St. Cecilia hopes to launch this ministry for our couples in the months to come. Interested? Contact Adam Arehart 

1. Please Complete the Marriage Inquiry Form 
2. One of the deacons or priests will contact you to set up an appointment to begin the process of preparing for your Sacramental Marriage. At this meeting, the date and time of your Wedding Ceremony or Mass will be confirmed.
3. After you “set your date” (as well as the date and time for a rehearsal), please contact Colleen Mavroudis, our Parish Music Director to begin the conversation about music for your Wedding Ceremony or Mass.
4. The priest or deacon will send you both a link to complete the FOCCUS Inventory (there is a $35 fee). Want to learn more about FOCCUS? After you complete the FOCCUS Inventory, you will meet with deacon or priest for one or two sessions to review “the results” and make goals for your relationship.
5. After completing the FOCCUS Inventory and Feedback Sessions, you will complete the Joy Filled Marriage Certificate Course (there is a $105 fee). This course replaces the traditional “Pre-Cana Day” that St. Cecilia offered in the past. As a couple, make notes and have active discussions as you complete the course at your own pace. Please print the Certificate of Completion and bring it with you when you schedule your follow up appointment with your deacon or priest.
6. The Catholic Church has a prophetic teaching on the beauty and purpose of sexual love in marriage. Please watch these videos: Why We Love Natural Family Planning & Why We Don’t Use Contraception In Our Marriage. If you choose to take a full course on Natural Family Planning, visit the Couple to Couple League. 
7. The deacon or priest will meet with you as a couple six to eight weeks before the Marriage Ceremony or Mass to plan the liturgy and complete necessary paperwork. 

1. Please select one reading from the Old Testament and one reading from the New Testament for the liturgy. You are encouraged to choose a person to proclaim the Scriptures who is a practicing Christian and is comfortable speaking in a public setting
2. Please select a set of Intercession/Prayer of the Faithful from these options. Once again, you are encouraged to choose a person to proclaim the Scriptures who is a practicing Christian and is comfortable speaking in a public setting.
3. Please contact our Music Director, Colleen Mavrudis, to make plans for your Ceremony or Mass. Colleen will provide options and assist in making the selection.
4. Please complete the Wedding Liturgy Planning Sheet and bring it with you to your meeting with the deacon or priest.

1. Please contact the Church where each Catholic was baptized and request a Baptismal Certificate (for your wedding). Please get this certificate less than 6 months prior to your wedding.
2. A valid Pennsylvania Marriage License is required. It can be from any county in the Commonwealth. Please share with the deacon or priest at least one week prior to your wedding.
3. If either party was married before, the deacon or priest will share documents that are required (annulments, death certificates, etc.)

1. The Church requests a donation of $100 for use of our sacred space. Please bring the donation to the rehearsal.
2. The Organist Stipend is $175 (payable directly to her or him one week prior to the wedding))
3. The Soloist Stipend is $200  (payable directly to her or him one week prior to the wedding)