Williston, ND 58801
(701) 572-6731
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Planning your wedding
The Process of Marriage Preparation
"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601
The wedding ceremony is a sacred celebration whereby husband and wife join together to become a living witness and symbol of Christ’s love for his Church. It is the official “beginning” of the sacramental life of a couple who willingly agrees to live with and for one another for the rest of their lives.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS
A couple desiring to get married should contact the parish at least nine months before the wedding.
The church should be reserved before committing to a photographer and reception hall. Without reserving it in advance, the church may not be available on the desired date.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Participate in a Pre-Marriage Seminar weekend and attend Natural Family Planning (NFP) training. Click on the links to the Diocese of Bismarck's website to get information regarding these topics as well as dates and how to register. The specifics of these will be shared with the couple in the first meeting with the Pastor.
Please participate in the evaluation tool, FOCCUS, which assists the couple in understanding themselves as individuals and as a couple. The results of the tool will be shared with the presider of the wedding, or it will be given to a sponsoring couple who will assist the engaged couple in evaluating the results of the tool.
Additional preparation may be required depending on the particular circumstances of the couple.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Pre-nuptial questionnaire which is completed at the first meeting with the Pastor.
A Baptismal Certificate which should be requested from the parish of baptism at least six months prior to the wedding date. (A non-Catholic person should provide a photocopy of a baptismal record.)
Completion certificates from the Pre-Marriage Seminar weekend and NFP training.
A marriage license which is procured from the Clerk of Court at the local court house. The couple needs to go together and present a document of personal identification (driver license or social security card). The license can be purchased up to 60 days before the wedding. Fee for the license is determined by the state.
Appropriate documentation of any annulled (previous) marriages.
Pre-Marriage Seminar Weekends
Natural Family Planning
Second Marriage Seminars
CHURCH BUILDING USE: There is no building use fee for those marrying at St. Joseph Catholic Church. If you wish to make a donation you may do so.
CELEBRANT: There are no stole fees for the services of the priest at the wedding. If you want to make a donation for the sacramental services provided, that donation is made to the church.
ALTAR SERVERS: Suggested stipend for each altar server provided by St. Joseph is $20.
MUSICIANS: Stipend for the music ministry, including the parish keyboardist, is determined by the musicians. The stipend should be given to the musicians on or before the date of the rehearsal.
Checks made out to Church of St. Joseph can be delivered to the parish office during regular business hours. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Call the parish office at 701-572-6731 to set an initial meeting date with a priest to begin marriage preparation.
The wedding ceremony is a sacred celebration whereby husband and wife join together to become a living witness and symbol of Christ’s love for his Church. It is the official “beginning” to the sacramental life of a couple who willingly agrees to live with and for one-another for the rest of their lives.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS
A couple desiring to get married should contact the parish no less than nine months prior to the wedding.
The church should be reserved before a commitment is made to a photographer and reception hall. The church may not be available on the desired date without reserving it in advance.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Participate in a Pre-Marriage Seminar weekend and attend Natural Family Planning (NFP) training. Click on the links to the Diocese of Bismarck's website to get information regarding these topics as well as dates and how to register. The specifics of these will be shared with the couple in the first meeting with the Pastor.
Participate in the evaluation tool, FOCCUS, which assists the couple in understanding themselves as individuals and as a couple. The results of the tool will be shared with the presider of the wedding, or it will be given to a sponsoring couple who will assist the engaged couple in evaluating the results of the tool.
Additional preparation may be required depending on the particular circumstances of the couple.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Pre-nuptial questionnaire which is completed at the first meeting with the Pastor.
A Baptismal Certificate which should be requested from the parish of baptism at least six months prior to the wedding date. (A non-Catholic person should provide a photocopy of a baptismal record.)
Completion certificates from the Pre-Marriage Seminar weekend and NFP training.
A marriage license which is procured from the Clerk of Court at the local court house. The couple needs to go together and present a document of personal identification (driver license or social security card). The license can be purchased up to 60 days before the wedding. Fee for the license is determined by the state.
Appropriate documentation of any annulled (previous) marriages
Links
Call the parish office at 701-572-6731 to schedule a meeting.