The Sacrament of Marriage

General Information

• A Bride or Groom or their family should be registered parishioners and also attend mass on a regular basis.

• At least six months before the desired wedding, the couple should contact the parish secretary (847.945.0430), who then will put them in touch with a priest and our Marriage Coordinators. A wedding date is not officially reserved until a priest contacts a couple to confirm the requested date.

• A parish Deacon will help the couple fill out the paper work, and will tell them all that is necessary for the wedding. Couples are expected to participate in three evening preparation sessions in the home of a parishioner couple trained in marriage preparation. (See below.)

• For two Catholics, the proper and valid form of receiving the sacrament is within a Catholic church in the presence of a Catholic deacon or priest. When a Catholic is marrying a person from another Christian denomination or Faith, they may receive permission for the marriage to take place in the spouse's church, etc., where the spouse's minister, rabbi, etc, would witness the marriage. They may also request a deacon or priest to be present to give a blessing. A staff member will assist you with the proper paperwork that needs to be done to receive a dispensation that is granted by the Archdiocese.

• If either party has been married before, even in a simple court ceremony, a discussion must first take place with a parish staff member to determine the couple's freedom to marry. No date for marriage can be reserved until both parties are free to marry. This also applies to a spouse who is from another denomination or faith, or one who has never been affiliated with any church.

Marriage Preparation Program

As an engaged couple you are making one of the most important decisions of your life: to vow to another person, in the presence of family, friends and the Church, your commitment to each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives. Such a commitment requires a complete investment of self - it requires risking enough to be able to say, "This is who I really am - good and bad."

Because you freely give your love to each other, it is a precious gift. It is in this love for each other - its responsibilities and possibilities - that you will find the very love of God made concrete in your lives. As you enter together into shared intimacy, you will become a sign of God’s overwhelming love for the rest of the community. The love between the two of you will overflow to others, family, friends, the community, and perhaps someday, children.

Such a possibility requires preparation and support. Holy Cross Parish offers such a program and we strongly encourage engaged couples to participate in the parish "Pre Marriage Program." It is an individualized approach rather than a lecture series. It takes place on three evenings in the home of one of our lead couples - so it is a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Each series of sessions usually includes 2 lead couples and 3 or 4 engaged couples.

For more information, please call the Pastoral Center at 1-847-945-0430.