See the documents below for current guidelines and policies.
On behalf of the Staff and Parishioners of St. Mary Parish, we extend our prayerful support for both of you as you begin your life together! Marriage is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church and is a special encounter between Christ and the bride and groom. The covenant between the bride and groom mirrors the sacred covenant between God and us. Therefore, a couple deserves thorough preparation before entering into this holy union that is both Sacramental and a lifelong commitment to one another. The staff of St. Mary Parish commits itself to quality marriage preparation for each and every couple that approaches the Church to receive the sacrament of marriage.
Please contact our parish office at least six months in advance. You may complete the Marriage Inquiry Form below or call the parish office (330-653-8118). You will be connected with a preparing minister (priest/deacon) who will discuss the details of preparation with you. Engaged couples are expected to be registered at a parish and attending Sunday Mass regularly. Pre-Marital preparation is required and done with the parish priest, in conjunction with programs such as Pre-Cana, Cana II, Engaged Encounter, etc. Wedding dates will only be added to the parish calendar by a priest after a canonical assessment is completed to confirm that you are free to marry in the Catholic Church.
Each Catholic party (bride and/or groom) should submit a Baptism Certificate Request Form no earlier than 6 months prior to their wedding.
Once a year, usually the second Saturday in March, St. Mary Parish offers a day-long retreat entitled "Pre-Cana" for couples preparing to celebrate marriage. The retreat day is a wonderful experience led by married couples and includes witness talks, time for couple conversation, Mass and a lovely dinner. Priority registration is given to couples registered at our parish, and we warmly welcome couples from other parishes if space is available!
Registration for Pre-Cana 2021 is now closed. Please contact your marriage prep coordinator for other Pre-Cana options in our diocese.
WHY ‘ENGAGED’?
To ‘engage’ is to go all in on an endeavor. Engagement for marriage is a vulnerable & sacrificial time for the maturation of spousal love to help you give your whole self for life in marriage, after the manner of Christ’s all in on Calvary. Christ engages you to Himself through your spouse, inviting you to give your generous YES to each other to receive all He wants to give you. Marriage is difficult, but with God’s help it it is not only possible, but a worthy and humanizing call to establish your family in God’s covenant promise. ENGAGED brings you excellent theological & spiritual content to prepare you for marriage.
ENGAGED is also open to all couple - those preparing for marriage as well as those couples that would like to refresh their understanding of the sacramental call of marriage, as well as those who are look for a spark of renewal or new energy within their marriage. Watch the parish bulletins for dates and times for these sessions.
Review the class details in the Marriage Welcome Packet found in the Documents tab.