Wedding Guidelines at
St. Scholastica Catholic Church, Lecanto, FL
4301 W. Homosassa Trail, Lecanto, FL 34461
Phone: 352-746-9422
Rev. James B. Johnson, Pastor
Rev. JoJo Tejada, Parochial Vicar
Deacon Terrence Knox & Deacon Robert Smith
Welcome:
We are delighted that you have chosen to prepare yourself for the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church. Your marriage, like Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, is a Sacrament. It is one of the most significant spiritual events of your life. The Church has always attached great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana in Galilee. It was here that the first of His signs, His first miracle, was performed. “There was a marriage at Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the wedding” … (Jn 2:1,2)
The Community and Staff of St. Scholastica Catholic Church rejoice with you in one of the greatest events of your life. We pray that God will bless your new life together with much joy, peace and happiness. Remember that your marriage will have the greatest measure of success to the extent that you allow God to be a partner with you throughout your married life. Best wishes to you!
Preliminary Preparations:
It is expected that Catholics be registered in their parish for a minimum of six months and be actively participating members. The minimal expectation is, of course, that a Catholic be a regular participant at Sunday Mass and celebrate the Sacrament of Penance at least yearly. Non-registered Catholic couples must obtain a letter of permission from their own parish. The prospective bride and groom must meet with the parish priest or deacon at least six months prior to the intended wedding date. The couple must fill out a pre-nuptial questionnaire which includes testimony of their intention to enter into a Christian Marriage according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Preliminary Preparations:
Continued…….
The couple must participate in a parish based instruction program and meet with the deacon or a designated couple to discuss FOCCUS (a marriage preparation tool). In addition, the couple will be required to attend a comprehensive overnight marriage preparation program entitled JOURNEY TO MATRIMONY. This couple-based experience is intended for those who are entering marriage for the first time and wish to deepen and enrich their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. JOURNEY TO MATRIMONY is held at the Bethany Center in Lutz, FL and dates will be provided for you. Couples should plan to attend at least 3 to 6 months prior to their wedding. The cost is $235.00 per couple with a deposit of $150 required at time of registration. This includes overnight accommodations and meals beginning with dinner on Friday evening at 6pm and concluding on Saturday evening no later than 8:30 p.m.
The priest or deacon who will witness your marriage is responsible for your marriage preparation. In order to meet his responsibilities he will ask you to obtain an updated Baptismal Certificate with all notations from your church of baptism. Please notify the priest or deacon if this is a second marriage for either party, (Catholic or non-Catholic) as additional paperwork (such as divorce decree or annulment documentation) may be required. You will also need to obtain a Marriage License from the State of Florida.
The Wedding Celebration:
WEDDINGS OUTSIDE OF THE SACRED SPACE: A wedding outside a sacred place is becoming one of the most frequently asked questions regarding marriage. Increasingly, requests are being made to have weddings literally “outside.” Due to this influx of requests, priests, deacons and pastoral ministers involved in marriage preparations are reminded about CHURCH LAW in this regard: “A marriage between Catholics or between a Catholic party and a non-Catholic is to be celebrated in the parish church.” (c. 1118.1)
SCHEDULING OF WEDDINGS: Weddings at St. Scholastica Church are normally scheduled for Saturday mornings. The latest a Wedding (with Mass) can be scheduled on Saturday is 12:00 Noon. If a marriage is to take place during Lent, couples are reminded that wedding plans should respect the special nature of this liturgical season, and they should refrain from too much pomp or display. Flowers are not allowed in the church during the Lenten Season.
THE WEDDING LITURGY: If both parties of the couple are practicing Catholics, the Church invites them to marry within the context of the Eucharist. In this case a priest is the ordinary witness of the wedding and presides at the Eucharist. For a marriage between a Catholic and a person of another religious tradition, they may choose to marry within the context of the Eucharist (Mass), or they may choose the Liturgy of the Word followed by the Rite of Marriage (no Mass). In this case, a deacon may serve as the minister.
At St. Scholastica, the staff (priests, deacons, Director of Liturgy and Music Director) is prepared to assist you in your selection of readings and music.
The Wedding Celebration:
Continued……
READINGS: The readings at a Catholic wedding liturgy are a proclamation of God’s word and of the Church’s faith about marriage. For this reason, they are limited to readings from the scriptures (the Bible). There are nine options for the first reading from the Hold Testaments, thirteen options for the second reading from the New Testament and ten choices for the gospel. You choose one from each of these categories. You may find it helpful to reflect prayerfully on each reading and to choose those that speak to your hopes and dreams for your Christian marriage. Readings available at: ForYourMarriage.org Permalink: http://foryourmarriage.org/what-is-the-acts-of-the-apostles/
FLOWERS: Flowers are optional. Flowers or plants used in the sanctuary for the occasion must be live – no artificial or silk flowers. Silk is fine for pew decoration. A spray of flowers may be placed in front of the ambo, lectern or two in front of the altar. Keep in mind there must be room for movement on the altar. Flower girls are permitted, but they may not throw petals down the aisle. No rice, bird seed, glitter, potpourri or confetti is to be thrown inside the church, outside the church, or anywhere on the church premises. Please designate a person to assist with any necessary clean-up following the ceremony. It is your responsibility to inform your guests of this request.
ALTAR SERVERS: Speak with the priest or deacon about arranging for an Altar Server if this is desirable. It is customary to provide a small stipend.
The Wedding Celebration:
Continued…..
REHEARSAL: It is greatly appreciated if all members of the wedding party are on time for the scheduled wedding rehearsal which is normally held the evening before the wedding.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Flash photography as well as videotaping of your wedding are permitted. The photographers, however, are asked to remain outside the sanctuary area. Photographers are asked to be as invisible as possible and to avoid distracting movement during the celebration. The photographer is strictly PROHIBITED from ascending the altar steps. Movement of any kind is a distraction from the important focal point of the couple and the Liturgy taking place in the sanctuary. Photographers must be finished by 2:15 pm on Saturday so as not to interfere with our scheduled Confession time and so that our sacristan can set-up for our 4pm Vigil Mass.
WORSHIP AID OR PROGRAMS: Worship aids or programs are options. If you choose to use worship aid or programs they must be submitted to the Parish Office for approval three weeks before the wedding ceremony. This is to ensure that appropriate artwork, order of service, and photos used reflect the sacrament being celebrated.
MUSIC: A church wedding ceremony is by nature, religious. It is necessary that the music chosen reflect the spiritual dimension of the service. Secular music is more appropriate for the reception than the religious ceremony. Please call our Director of Music, John Edel at 746-9422.
The Wedding Celebration:
Continued…..
CANDLES: The candles normally used on Sundays are available. You are welcome to use these at no charge. If you wish to purchase a unity candle for your wedding, you may do so. When you purchase the tapers, please buy the drip less variety. Please designate someone to retrieve your candles from the altar to take them to you after the ceremony so that you may enjoy them on each anniversary.
WEDDING GUIDELINES: St. Scholastica is our parish home. We ask that you treat our facilities with the respect that you would treat your own treasured home and possessions. We ask that the wedding couple and their families or friends clean up any areas used for preparation for the wedding. There is to be NO SMOKING, EATING, or DRINKING in the church building, Bethlehem Room or the restrooms.
FEES: It is appropriate to compensate the celebrant (priest or deacon) with a separate stipend payable directly to the celebrant. Other fees include that of the organist, cantor and church fees. Please contact the parish office to discuss all required fees relating to your wedding.
May our Lord bless you on your special day.