St. Martha Catholic Church
Procedures for Marriage Preparation and Setting a date
St. Martha Parish welcomes you and congratulates you as you come to request marriage in the Catholic Church. The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are a sign of God’s great love for us all. Please read the entire page before proceeding forward. The following information is intended to assist in your planning process.
Marriage Preparation: Please call the parish office at 281-358-6637 to register for the upcoming Information Meeting held on the second Sunday of the month, at 3:00 pm at the parish office. The information meeting is for the bride and groom. Both the bride and the groom must attend this information meeting in order to begin the process of marriage preparation.
- After you attend the Information Meeting, you will meet with a priest or deacon for three or four meetings.
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Additional instruction after meeting with the priest or deacon:
- St. Martha parish provides a sponsor couple program - “For Better and For Ever” meeting in the sponsor couple’s home for five meetings.
- Or, the archdiocese offers an engaged encounter weekend www.archgh.org.
In order to set the date - A date may not be set until the following has occurred:
- You have registered and attended an Information Meeting held each month on the second Sunday. Call 281-358-6637 to register.
- The FOCCUS questionnaire has been completed at the Information Meeting.
- The bride and groom have met at least once with a priest or deacon and freedom to marry has been determined by the priest or deacon.
- The priest or deacon sets the date on his calendar, the church calendar, and confirms the date with you.
Once the date is set:
- Please contact the Wedding Coordinator Leader – Liz at 281-360-5707, to schedule the rehearsal. A wedding coordinator will guide participants during the ceremony and assist the deacon or priest as needed.
- Please contact St. Martha Liturgy Coordinator - Gayle at 281-713-8959 or at gayleh@stmartha.com. All music selections must be discussed with the Liturgy Coordinator. She will also provide information regarding accompanist and/or soloist. If you are interested, Gayle can also show you samples of various wedding programs.
Cost:
- To help cover the cost for the use of the new church, a $500.00 donation is requested. You may mail your check to St. Martha Catholic Church, Attn: Francine, 4301 Woodridge Pkwy, Porter, TX, 77365. Please mention your wedding date and the clergy person you are working with.
- You are welcome to also extend a gift to the priest or deacon officiating at your wedding and give the gift directly to the priest or deacon.
- There is a fee for the accompanist and/or soloist – the Liturgy Coordinator can provide you with information when you meet with her.
If you are not registered and do not live within the parish boundaries, you are advised to contact your local Catholic parish. If they are unable to assist you, please ask the pastor or his representative to contact us.
Has either the bride or groom (Catholic or non-Catholic) ever been married before?
If yes, please contact Francine at 281-713-8954 before beginning marriage preparation.