Dear Friends,
The priests and staff of Our Lady of Good Counsel rejoice with you at the announcement of your engagement. Congratulations! As you enter the planning stage for your marriage, the Catholic Church is most happy to assist you in the preparations that lead to the celebration of your wedding and a lifetime together.
The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of acknowledging significant events in our lives through our liturgical worship. Your wedding is an important moment in Church life as it is a sign of your faith and commitment to God and each other. We gather as a community of faith (parish, family and friends) to celebrate and to praise God for his blessings and favors and to witness your vows of love, fidelity and faithfulness as a married couple.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish priests and staff have prepared this booklet as a guide in the planning of your wedding liturgy. Contained in its contents are the canonical requirements of the Catholic Church. We have also included common questions that you may have about traditions or requirements unique to OLGC.
During your engagement a group of parishioners who pray Morning Prayer remember you during this most joyful time of preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage. May God be with you as you enter this new and wonderful phase of your life.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Priests of the Parish
Father Anthony J. D’Angelico, Pastor 215-357-1300 ext. 108
Father John Kilgallon, Parochial Vicar 215-357-1300 ext. 112
Father William Monahan, Parochial Vicar 215-357-1300 ext. 114
Other Important Phone Numbers:
Parish Receptionist 215-357-1300, ext. 150
Mrs. Joan Kozlowski, Music Director 215-357-1300 ext. 206
Mrs. Trish Elker, Rehearsal Coordinator 215-355-2415
Marriage Preparation Process at Our Lady of Good Counsel
When a couple seeks to be married in the Catholic Church, they are availing themselves of a precious gift. The community of the Church recognizes that they are responding in faith to an invitation and a call from God. As Christians, the gift of this love of God is a sacrament.
The Catholic Church believes that the marriage of Christians is a sacrament and is based on the very serious relationship of covenant. The decision to make a life-long commitment requires sufficient reflection, discussion and responsible preparation. Therefore, the celebration of this sacrament is preceded by a period of preparation. You are entering a period of discernment to marry. The Church and the priests are also discerning along with you. This discernment period has a threefold nature: Personal and Relational, Communal, and Liturgical.
Personal and Relational: As the bride and groom you are the ministers and celebrants of the Sacrament of Marriage. On the part of the Church and the State the priest is the legal and proper witness. Therefore, it is important to meet with the priest prior to your wedding in order for all parties to become familiar with each other. This relationship also reflects the Church’s concern for you as husband and wife and as important members of the Body of Christ.
Communal: Marriage by its very nature is a public celebration. Though the term “my wedding” is natural to the common vocabulary, from the Church’s point of view the sacrament of marriage is much fuller. Marriage reflects a relationship that extends beyond the couple and includes Christ and his Church, both in heaven and earth.
Liturgical: Liturgy gathers the Church at prayer and expresses who we are in relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit through ritual. The Sacrament of Marriage is part of the Church’s liturgy that celebrates an authentic human love that “is caught up into a divine love and is directed and enriched by the redemptive power of Christ” (Gaudium et Spes, no. 48). This sacrament also consecrates the couple to the duties and dignity of the married state that lead to a personal holiness and mutual sanctification. Therefore, the Rite of Marriage is a rich prayer which captures the beliefs and long standing customs of the Catholic Church.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia requests that couples presenting themselves for marriage do so at least six months before their intended wedding date. This requirement is to ensure the necessary time to make all the arrangements.
An interview with a parish priest with the couple is necessary before setting the date for your wedding. Please note– calendar dates for wedding availability are not given over the telephone. To schedule your initial appointment with a parish priest please call the parish receptionist at extension 150.
The Steps You Need to Take
Step One: Consult with one of the parish priests. At this meeting, the priest will ascertain one’s freedom to marry, schedule a wedding date and briefly review the wedding program of our parish. It is our parish policy that either the bride or groom or the parents of the bride or groom are registered members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. At this meeting, the parish priest will inform you about additional meetings and the required paperwork that you will need to provide.
Step Two: Attend a Marriage and Family Life Preparation Program. The marriage preparation program helps you to discover the tools necessary for a good Christian marriage. You are strongly encouraged to register and attend a program as far in advance of your wedding as possible to make best use of this opportunity for discernment and preparation for the sacrament of Matrimony.
Attendance by both the Bride and the Groom in a Marriage and Family Life Preparation Program is mandatory.
Programs are offered by the Archdiocese and there are two options:
- Archdiocesan Regional Marriage Preparation Program
This is a large group program held on four separate evenings. This program focuses on the couple themselves and their discernment regarding the sacrament of Matrimony.
- Archdiocesan Weekend Retreat Program
This weekend retreat program offers engaged couples a special opportunity to be together, and to encounter Christ through prayer and reflection. The goal of the weekend is to more firmly establish their relationship “in the Lord.”
For more information on these programs please contact:
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Family Life Office
222 N. 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-587-5639
www.archdiocese-phl.org
Step Three: Schedule your wedding rehearsal with the parish coordinator, Mrs. Trish Elker.
Please note: Confessions are not heard on the night of the rehearsal.
The Basic Requirements in Preparing for Marriage
- Documents Needed
- A Baptismal certificate dated within six months of your wedding is required for both catholic parties, unless baptized at OLGC. If one of the parties is a Christian of another denomination, proof of baptism is required.
- A Letter of Freedom dated within six months of your wedding is required of those Catholics who are not registered at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. It can be obtained from your current parish.
- A Decree of Nullity from the Catholic Church or a Death Certificate of your former spouse is required of those previously married (regardless of your religion).
- Marriage License
Your license can be obtained at any county courthouse in Pennsylvania and is to be presented to the rectory no later than two weeks prior to your wedding date. Out of state licenses are not valid. Generally, the county licenses are valid for sixty days after they are issued.
- Music at your Wedding
The Sacrament is enhanced by the use of liturgical music. Whether a couple chooses a nuptial Mass or a Ceremony, music can help to focus the attention of those assembled and create a mood for prayer. Our policy regarding music is as follows: all music, even those pieces played as preludes or postludes, and all within the ceremony must be of a liturgical nature.
There are parish cantors (Leaders of Song) and organists available to help facilitate the singing at your wedding ceremony. Please contact Mrs. Joan Kozlowski (215-357-1300, ex. 206) to make these arrangements. The Parish Leader of Song must be present at the wedding. The fee for an organist is $150.00 and for the cantor, $150.00. It is the couple’s responsibility to pay the organist and cantor directly. Checks are to be made payable to the organist and cantor.
- Parish Fee
The parish fee is $450.00. This includes use of the Church, and stipends for the parish priest, rehearsalist and sacristan. The check should be made payable to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and should be sent no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date. Please include the Marriage License with the check and send to the attention of the priest assisting at your wedding.
Some Other Things You Need to Know
Your wedding is a public celebration of you and your family and friends here in our parish. We would appreciate your cooperation in the following:
- Times for Weddings
The times for weddings on Saturday are 12:30PM and 2:30PM. Friday evening weddings are also permissible and times are arranged with the parish priest.
- Picture Policy
Picture taking and videotaping are permitted but should not be a distraction from the liturgy. Please speak to the priest about specific regulations and communicate these to your photographer and/or videographer.
- Aisle Runner
An aisle runner is not permitted in our church.
- Flowers/Sanctuary
Flowers and other decorations are the responsibility of the couple.
- Decorations
If you wish to decorate the ends of the pews, please note that the use of any kind of tape or wire is prohibited. They cause damage to the pews. Only clips or rubber bands are permitted. Please communicate this to your florist or family members.
- Reception lines
Reception lines are discouraged due to the parish schedule, however, please feel free to discuss this matter with the parish priest.
- Other Concerns
Rice, birdseed, confetti and balloons are not permitted because we wish to avoid accident, injury or harm.
- Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on Church property at anytime during your wedding rehearsal or the day of your wedding. Please communicate this policy to the wedding party and to the chauffeur.
- Wedding Booklets
Our Lady of Good Counsel provides an outline for the Nuptial Mass and the Nuptial Ceremony and you are asked to follow these outlines. At least two weeks prior to your wedding, please present a draft of your booklet to the priest for approval.
- Visiting Clergy
If you desire to arrange for a guest priest, you will need to provide the visiting priest’s name and address as soon as possible, so permission and delegation may be granted for him to witness the wedding. Visiting priests are welcome to attend the rehearsal. We remind you that our parish wedding fee does not compensate the visiting priest and is the responsibility of the couple.
We do extend an invitation to those Christian or other Clergy who would have some significant role in an inter-religious marriage. Please express this desire to the parish priest.
- Altar Servers
Are scheduled by the parish unless the couple requests OLGC altar servers or receives permission from the parish priest to have family members serve.
We thank you for your cooperation in all of these matters. Please be confident of our prayers for you. May God bless you!