INFORMATION FOR THOSE INTENDING TO CELEBRATE A WEDDING
IN
OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION PARISH,
WESTON CREEK/ SOUTH MOLONGLO ACT
In planning a wedding, a couple should initially approach the Parish Office, 87 Namatjira Drive Waramanga, 8331 7611, at least six months before the proposed day.
PROPOSED WEDDING DAY
As soon as practical, and definitely before a wedding day is decided upon, check with the Parish that the proposed date and time are available.
If for any reason your wedding is postponed or cancelled, please let us know immediately.
OFFICIATING PRIEST
At the time of booking the Church, ensure that the Priest who is to officiate is available.
For a parishioner(s) of our Parish, the officiating Priest will usually be the Parish Priest, Father Michael Lim or Deacon Vince Barclay may be available to preform a Wedding Rite. For a couple who are not parishioners, the Priest will usually be their Parish Priest, or a Priest of their choosing. At the very outset, it will be necessary to determine which Priest will oversee the preparation of the parties and the completion of the necessary papers.
No Priest or Deacon should be contacted to officiate at weddings without prior consultation with the Parish Priest of Weston Creek/South Molonglo.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The "Notice of Intended Marriage" (Government form) must be completed not more than six months and not less than one month and one day before the wedding.
Birth and Baptism Certificates are essential and should be obtained as soon as possible. Baptism Certificates must have been issued no earlier than six months prior to the completion of the "Notice of Intended Marriage" form.
PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
If either party has been previously married, it is imperative that this is immediately made known to the officiating Priest.
Catholic Church law (Canon Law) will require some process of investigation of the previous union. In some instances it is a relatively simple matter, in other situations it might require a formal nullity case and even then there is no guarantee that the process will establish the freedom necessary to marry in the Catholic Church.
NUPTIAL MASS/RITE ONLY
The officiating Priest will discuss with the couple as to whether the ceremony is to be celebrated within a Nuptial Mass or simple Rite (wedding outside Mass).
TIMES FOR WEDDINGS
Weddings are usually celebrated on Saturday afternoon. The time of weddings is by negotiation but the Parish Priest cannot officiate at weddings later than 2.00pm as Mass is celebrated at St Jude's Church on Saturday afternoons at 5.00pm preceded by Adoration at 4.00pm. Wedding times can not be changed except by consultation with the Parish Priest and the officiating priest.
A suitable time for a wedding practice should be arranged with the officiating priest. The Church is unavailable for practices on Friday afternoons (5.30pm to 6.45pm) as this is the time for the weekly cleaning of the church.
PRE-MARRIAGE EDUCATION COURSES
It is of the utmost importance that couples are adequately prepared for the important step they are about to take.
The FOCCUS Inventory involves two evening sessions. The first session is conducted on the first Tuesday of every month (except January) at the CatholicCare office at Red Hill. This session runs from 5.00pm to 9pm and involves the couple filling out a detailed questionaire. A feedback session is then arranged sometime later in the month. Cost is approximately $340 per couple (subject to change). To book in phone 02 6162 6100.
"Evenings for the Engaged" are also advertised from time to time in the Parish Sunday Bulletin. Or by contacting Kathy and Mark Haseler 6166 7634 mandk@velocitynet.com.au
Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend for engaged couples run in Sydney. While many couples attend together, private time is provided for each couple to build a closer relationship while exploring the following topics: their future lives together; their strengths and weaknesses; their desires, ambitions & goals; their attitudes about money, sex, children, family and their role in the church and society. Cost approximately $250 ($370 with accommodation) Call 02 9868 2924 or visit www.engagedencounter.org.au
CHURCH FEE AND OFFERING FOR OFFICIATING PRIEST
The fee for the use of the Church for a wedding is $500 and should be paid at the time of making the booking. Should the booking be cancelled a refund of $450.00 will be made. No booking is finalised until the $500 is paid. You can pay using the Qkr! App on your phone or on a web browser If you are told that Qkr! is not available for your device Qkr! by MasterCard (qkrschool.com) or if you wish to use a credit card you can call the parish office and make a payment over the phone.
It is customary for an offering to be made to the officiating Priest on the day of the wedding. A suggested offering is $300.00.
MUSIC AND SINGING AT WEDDINGS
As these ceremonies are primarily worship of Almighty God, the choice of hymns and music should be made from the Church's exceptionally large repertoire of Sacred Music. An exception is made for the Wedding March. but check you choices with the officiating Priest.
FLOWERS
You may wish to decorate the Sanctuary area of the Church with floral Arrangements. Flowers may be supplied and arranged personally, and if you wish to do this, you are asked to call the Presbytery for details about vases, etc. Vases of flowers are not permitted to be placed on top of the altar itself.
SEAT DECORATIONS
The Church possesses some seat decorations, which you may use. If you wish to use your own decorations, they may be hung on seats, but not pinned or glued. Blue Tac is suitable for attaching decorations.
CONFETTI
Please ask your guests NOT to throw confetti, rice, flower petals etc. either in the Church or in the grounds. these can create slip hazards.
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO RECORDING
If you intend to photograph/video your wedding, you should first discuss this with the officiating Priest.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING ARRANGEMENTS
Entry to the parish grounds is clearly marked. Please observe these signs when arriving, parking and leaving.
OTHER
As a courtesy to the officiating priest, your future spouse, your family and guests, please ensure that you arrive at the Church as close to the appointed time as possible.
If you have any other enquiries please phone the Parish Secretary on 2688 1979