Marriage

Congratulations on your decision to enter Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. We at St. Ann's welcome and rejoice with you! The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are signs of God’s great love for us all. One year prior to your anticipated wedding date, you should begin initial steps to begin the Marriage Preparation process. We are excited to be part of your decision to marry. This is a joyful time in your lives. We are here to support you and guide you through your preparation.  

The first step of the process is to contact the office to request an appointment to meet with Father.  He will walk you through the process and provide you with a list of documents needed.  Our parish staff will also be able to asssit you in date avalibility and fee structure.   

The Catholic Church believes that marriages entered into by non-Catholics in their particular church, or wherever they may take place, are valid. In the eyes of the Church, even two atheists or agnostics who are married civilly before a judge or magistrate enter into a valid marriage. Catholics, however, are bound to observe a certain form of marriage ritual in order that their marriage be valid. Canon law—the law of the Church—requires that Catholics enter into marriage by free mutual consent that is witnessed in a church by an authorized bishop, priest, or deacon and at least two other witnesses. Marriages in which one or both parties are Catholic and which are not witnessed by an authorized bishop, priest, or deacon, or which do not receive proper permission to take place in another forum, are considered invalid in the eyes of the Church.

Simply put, If the couple has entered into a civil marriage and if either spouse is Baptized Catholic and they were not married in the Catholic Church, then they would need a Convalidation, to validate their marriage in the eyes of the Church.

Regardless of what happened in the past, the Catholic Church invites you to bring new meaning to your lives by embracing the vocation of marriage and dedicating your family’s mission to sharing God’s love.

The first step of the process is to contact the office to request an appointment to meet with Father.  He will walk you through the process and provide you with a list of documents needed.  Our parish staff will also be able to asssit you in date avalibility and fee structure.   

The ending of a marriage is a difficult experience, and divorce is one of life’s tragedies. Many marriages end in divorce in spite of good intentions and the establishment of a family. We are sensitive to the pain and stress that a failed marital relationship brings to those involved. We are here to assist those who want to know more and those who want to file a petition for an annulment.

Want to talk to someone about the process and learn more about what an annulment is?  Please contact the parish office to schedule a meeting with Father. He will be happy to meet with you to discuss the process.