Sacrament of Marriage
We hope the following information will help you with your wedding plans
Whether you are both Catholic, or only one of you is a Catholic, you are welcome at Holy Family.
A Church is not merely a picturesque or traditional place in which to wed. People who choose to be married in a church are actually choosing to make their commitment to each other publicly, in the presence of God, their families and friends. We at the Holy Family parish regard this aspect of marriage with reverence and great importance.
We would like to help you in every way possible – to understand this importance, and to make your wedding of deep and happy significance for you.
ARRANGING YOUR WEDDING
Please contact the Parish Priest to arrange your wedding. He may need to see you several times before your marriage, so please make an early appointment with him, at least four months before the intended wedding day, and don’t leave it until the last few weeks before the wedding.
Please note if you live in another parish, but wish to be married at the Holy Family you will need to see your own Parish Priest for preparing for your marriage.
DOCUMENTATION
Your Priest will advise you of the various documents you will need: Baptismal Certificate, Confirmation Certificate, Marriage License, Pre-nuptial Enquiry.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSES
The Diocese of Auckland strongly recommends that you prepare for your marriage by attending marriage preparation lessons.
Website: https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/marriage-family-life/
Contact: Gerry Smith (Leader / co-ordinator)
Phone : 09 360 3025
Email : gerrys@cda.org.nz
MARRIAGE LITURGY
Once you have completed the documentation and the preparation course, you will begin to plan the wedding liturgy (i.e. service). If both of you are Catholic, then you may choose to have a Nuptial Mass, the Church’s richest celebration of marriage.
If one of you is not Catholic, or if a significant number of your guests are not Catholic, you may choose to have a service instead – still with readings, prayers, Nuptial Blessing, and so on, but without the Eucharist (Communion). You need to make this decision in consultation with the priest celebrating your marriage.