Marriages

Couples seeking to be married at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church MUST make an appointment with the parish priest at least six, but preferably eight to twelve, months prior to the proposed date of the wedding. He will discuss the wedding arrangements with you - in person. (Prior to that meeting no reservations may be taken.)

NOTE - All couples wishing to marry in a Ukrainian Catholic or a Roman Catholic Church are REQUIRED to complete a Marriage Preparation Course prior to marriage. Please discuss marriage course preparation options with your priest as soon as possible as classes fill up early and choices become limited!

Couples may also request a guest Ukrainian Catholic priest to officiate at the wedding.  In that case, by church law, the Parish priest must grant delegation to the guest priest for the marriage to be licit.

The Church building cannot be used for a non-Catholic wedding.

The Catholic wedding ceremony must be performed in the Church - (exception - during pandemic - the ceremony may be done outdoors at a shrine or similar suitable location but ONLY with prior permission and approval from the Metropolitan).

REQUIREMENTS

• At least one of the parties must be Ukrainian Catholic.

• Both parties must be free to marry, both according to Church law and civil law.

• A marriage preparation course is mandatory. The parish priest should arrange for such a course at the time of the couple's first meeting with him.

• If one of the parties is non-Catholic, but Christian, a dispensation is required from the Archbishop before the marriage ceremony can take place.

• If one of the parties is non Christian (not validly baptized) then the marriage will be a valid contract but not a Sacrament of the Church. In this case, a dispensation is required from the Archbishop. (The parish priest will request such dispensation.)
  
  COVID-19 pandemic restrictions - Indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people (excluding priest, cantor, essential servers, children under 12 years of age). Please keep this in mind when making wedding arrangements!

ABOUT THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

Couples planning to marry in the Catholic church are required to complete a Marriage Preparation course. The course offered by St. Mary's is based on the "For Better, For Ever" workbook written by Father Rhunke.Couples should plan to attend 7 classes - 2 hours per class, 1 class per week, on average, but scheduling is flexible. These classes take place in the home of a married SPONSOR COUPLE who will be assigned to you. The sessions are confidential. Please see schedule below to determine when you should sign up for your course.

PLEASE contact our parish priest at least 6 - 12 months BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DATE to allow sufficient time to arrange your marriage preparation classes and to complete administrative paperwork.

Effective April 1, 2018, the marriage course fee is $125 per couple (payable to St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church) which includes two workbooks, a candle and a small gift from our parish to you.

Upon completion of the course, you will be issued a Completion Certificate as proof of your participation in the classes.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE SCHEDULE

If you are getting married before December 31, 2021 CLASSES are CLOSED!

If your wedding date is between...	approximate start date of classes....
September 01, 2021 - December 31, 2021	CLOSED due to pandemic - Contact your priest for more information
January 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022	Contact your priest for information immediately!
July 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022	Contact your priest or our Parish Priest SOON to discuss START date of classes.

Avoid disappointment and book your marriage classes as soon as possible! Please plan to start your classes at least 6 - 12 months before your wedding date, preferably 12 months due to Covid restrictions! If absolutely necessary, classes may be done remotely. Masks may be required for classes held in the sponsor couple home - subject to Public Health orders.

FEES FOR WEDDING SERVICES IN ST. MARY'S:

The following fees (effective 2020) are in ADDITION to Marriage Preparation Course costs.

Priest (Brandon) - $350 (for service and administrative work as set by Archbishop)
Cantor (Brandon) - $75

Church cleaning/disinfection before/after service - Your offering to our church

This page was last updated March 02. 2022
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