Marriage Preparation

For those who are asking a priest from outside the Diocese of Austin to preside at the wedding, a statement of suitability is required to minister in the Diocese of Austin.
Guidelines for Visiting Clergy and Religious

Dear Future Bride and Groom,

As you begin the preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony, please be assured of our prayers and support.

On behalf of the staff and parishioners of St. Mary’s, we extend our prayerful support for both of you as you begin your life together.

We want to help you plan a wedding ceremony that is spiritual and sacramental in accordance with the Catholic belief that marriage is a lifelong commitment and that it is a sacrament when it occurs between two baptized Christians. The planning and preparation for your wedding are meant to help you celebrate the Sacrament and live as a Christian married couple.

We ask that you read carefully through the document entitled "St. Mary's Marriage Guidelines." These guidelines are designed to assist you in the planning of your marriage at St. Mary's.

Those who are planning to get married at St. Mary's should also review the information at the Diocese of Austin link entitled "Marriage Preparation."

Another document worth reviewing prior to planning your wedding is: "Notes on Wedding Liturgy."

We will do our best as a parish and a parish staff to help make your wedding day a day of peace, prayer, and joy.

The Pastor, Staff and Faith Community of St. Mary's.

1. Contact the Pastor.
   Contact the pastor at 254-753-0146 or by emailing him at pastor@stmarys-waco.org. Please contact him at least six to twelve months prior to your planned wedding date.

2. Take a Personal Relationship Assessment.
   At least six months prior to the wedding date, couples should take a premarital inventory, such as FOCCUS. This preliminary inventory will normally be administered by the pastor.

3. Attend a Marriage Preparation Program.
   Marriage preparation couples are required to participate in a formal marriage preparation course, such as "For Better & For Ever" or another course approved by the diocese.
   "For Better & For Ever" is a couple sponsorship program. The pastor will appoint a sponsor couple for your marriage preparation time.

4. Take an NFP Introductory Course.
   Marriage preparation couples must also take at least a one-hour introduction to Natural Family Planning (full course preferred) in one of the methods approved by the Diocese of Austin. For more information concerning NFP methods see the parish "Natural Family Planning" page.

5. Remain in prayer together.
   Remain in prayer together as you approach the day you will take your vows. Remember that, despite all of the practical preparations for the wedding, the spiritual preparations for the marriage are most important part.

6. Prepare your wedding ceremony.
   Use the Together for Life book to prepare for your wedding ceremony. You can select prayers, readings, music and other parts if the Mass. Also visit the Together for Life online website for more information.

In accordance with Canon #1115 of the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church: "Marriages are to be celebrated in a parish where either of the contracting parties has a domicile, quasi-domicile, or month-long residence or, if it concerns transients, in the parish where they actually reside."

There is a Registration Requirement at St. Mary's: The couple (or at least one of the pair) must be either living inside St. Mary’s Parish boundaries or be an ACTIVE and REGISTERED member of St. Mary’s parish.

The pastor will also consider permitting a marriage and/or witnessing to the marriage if the parents of either the bride or the groom are active and registered members of St. Mary's parish. In accordance with Canon Law, this would still require the couple to get the appropriate permission from the pastor of the Catholic Church where they regularly attend Mass.

Therefore, as a rule, the pastor of St. Mary's will not permit nor witness to marriages for any persons who are not connected to St. Mary's, as described above.