In the Christian tradition, marriage is a covenant, an expression of God’s covenantal love with His people. In the Catholic Church, it is one of the seven (7) sacraments which are expressions of God‘s love and presence in our midst. The love between husband and wife in a Christian marriage becomes an expression of God’s self-giving and self-sacrificial love for all of us. Their love for one another is patterned, influenced and inspired by God’s love for all of us. They become witnesses of God’s love and presence in our world. They commit to a loving union that is generous, faithful and life-giving. The Church rejoices in this celebration of God’s love in the life of the bride and the groom as they join together as husband and wife through the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. To assist couples in their preparation for this special day in their life together and in the life of the church community, the following guidelines have been outlined for guidance and implementation. A wedding planner or consultant might be helpful, but we do planning and preparation with the bride and the groom together, not with wedding consultants or parents of the bride and/or the groom.
An INITIAL INTERVIEW of the bride and groom with a priest begins the process of documentation, including the setting of the date and time of the wedding celebration. Weddings are scheduled on 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm. Weddings during Lent are to be “simple” (e.g., no flowers). There are no weddings scheduled on Sundays. If one of the parties has been married before, this will require further consultation. Couples in this circumstance should contact the church at least a year before the proposed wedding.
A THANKSGIVING FEE of $450.00 is suggested has to be made on the day of the Final interview. Otherwise, the booking of the wedding date will be deferred until receipt of the fee. The fee can be paid by cash, cheque (payable to Sacred Heart Church), debit. Fees for musicians are extra and are paid for by the wedding party.
A MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE is required in the Diocese of Calgary. Couple will receive QR Code and must register themselves to the course.
BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES for the Catholic parties are required, with pertinent notations and issued for marriage purposes and dated after the initial interview to conform with the diocesan requirement to establish freedom to marry. You may contact the parish of your baptism for a recent copy. The non-Catholic party also needs to present a document to establish his/her religious affiliation.
A MARRIAGE LICENSE, which can be obtained at any registry office in Alberta and expires in ninety (90) days after date of issue, must be submitted with the other requirements at least forty-five (45) days before the wedding, together with complete names and postal addresses of the two witnesses (usually the maid of honor & best man).
THE WEDDING CEREMONY is celebrated within a Mass or within a Liturgy of the Word. Mass is celebrated when both parties are practicing Catholics. If the marriage is one of mixed religion, Mass is not celebrated. The wedding parties are expected to involve themselves in the planning of the ceremony, including the selection of Scripture readings, prayers, readers. A Wedding Ceremony Form is available in our website. They may discuss with the presider some of the reasons of choices of readings which may help him in preparing his homily/reflection for your wedding.
Readers/Lectors or Proclaimers of the Word to be chosen for the celebration should possess the necessary gifts to proclaim the Word of God effectively and reverently. They have to be present during the rehearsal.
Normally, servers or acolytes are not required. If, however, family members or friends are invited to exercise this ministry, they are required to be present during the rehearsal.
MUSIC has to be sacred and religious, in keeping with Catholic liturgy. Music is meant to accompany an action (entering or leaving the church), to proclaim the Word of God, or to offer praise to God. Samples are available on our website. Guest musicians are permitted, but they have to have the music choices approved by the parish pastor. The designated place for musicians is in the choir loft. Taped music is not allowed. Please be aware that there are copyright rules governing the publication/printing of copyrighted music compositions.
GATHERING AND PROCESSION. The bride and the groom, are the ministers of the Sacrament of Marriage. The groom will enter to the church via the 14 street main entrance and will be welcoming guests. All enter the worship space through the same door (main door facing 14th Street). The bride will enter through the door on 13th Avenue. The bride and groom may also consider entering the church in procession together.
FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS are the responsibility of the couple. You are encouraged to leave some for the weekend services. Aisle runners or extra candles like candelabras are not allowed for safety reasons. In using pew bows, use elastic ribbon or string to attach them. Adhesive tapes are not allowed.
NO CONFETTI, rice, birdseed, or flower petals are not allowed inside the church or within the church property. It is recommended that decorations be kept simple and tasteful.
The Unity Candle ceremony is not included in the Catholic wedding ritual. For liturgical reasons, this is not included in weddings celebrated in this church.
If ringbearers and flower girls can be included in the celebration. They have to be present during the rehearsal.
WEDDING CARS are to be parked on 13th Avenue or in the parking lot. Stopping or parking in front of the church on 14th Street is a traffic offense. Please inform your drivers or chauffeurs about this important detail. No vehicle is to be left in the church/school parking lot following the wedding or rehearsal. Carpooling from the church/school parking lot to the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception is not allowed. The parking ot is required for the church celebrations following the weddings.
PHOTOGRAPHS. The designated photographer is asked to consult with the office prior to the wedding ceremony. Friends and relatives are asked to put cameras away after the entrance procession and can resume taking pictures during the signing of the register. No additional lighting may be used in the church.
PUNCTUALITY. Please be mindful that there might be another celebration right after.
VISITING PRIESTS. Permission from the bishop and authorization from the Government of Alberta are required for visiting priests to solemnize marriages. The visiting priest must complete Diocesan requirements and permissions within thirty (30) days after the registration of the wedding. The visiting priest agrees to abide by the pertinent parish customs and policies regarding the celebration of marriage.
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION is strongly recommended as part of the preparations for the Catholic parties to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony as they make marriage a new beginning. Sacred Heart Church celebrates the Sacrament on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m., and on Saturdays, from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m., or by special appointment.
REHEARSALS are scheduled the day before the wedding. All those having a part in the wedding are to be present, including bridesmaids, grooms, ushers, readers, and parents. This is only a “walkthrough” of the ceremony. It is not a time for musicians, including singers, to “rehearse”. Punctuality is to be observed.
WEDDINGS FROM OTHER PARISHES. If neither party belongs to Sacred Heart Church, written permission from the parish priest of the bride and/or groom, also indicating his willingness to help complete the wedding requirements if this is the case, is required. In order to book the wedding, the couple must send an email to our parish office, asking for permission to celebrate their wedding here, as well as they have to ask their Priest (from their church) to send a copy of a completed FORM 1A. Once we have these two, the Pastor will look at the date, and approve it. All required subsequent documentation, must be then completed by the Pastor of couples parish, and send to us the completed file once ready. a
CANCELLATION should be considered if there are pressures to get married or if there is lack of preparation for this lifetime commitment. Marriage must be a free choice. The priest should be able to help assess your readiness and maturity to receive the Sacrament of Marriage. If the wedding is being canceled, let the priest and parish know about it sooner than later. Booking Fees are not refundable
At least six (6) months before the wedding, the wedding parties meet with the priest for the initial interview and the setting of the wedding date.
At least six weeks before the wedding, the wedding parties attend a Marriage Preparation Course or Workshop. A certificate of attendance is part of the marriage documentation.
At least six (6) weeks before the wedding, the wedding parties meet with the priest for the canonical interview and complete the required documentation, including the following documents:
- Certificate of Baptism for the Catholic party/parties, issued for marriage purposes after the initial interview. A copy of the baptismal certificate of baptism of the non-Catholic party.
- Proof of freedom (Form 2A) & Concerning Baptism (Form 2B)
- Certificate of Marriage Preparation Course
- Musical program (approved by parish musician)
- Wedding Service program (readings, prayers, vows & blessings)
- Permission letter from parish priest (if from another parish)
- Marriage License
- Complete legal names of two (2) witnesses with their respective complete mailing addresses (with postal codes) and Phone Numbers.
At least a month before the wedding, the Catholic parties celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as an immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.
