Holy Matrimony
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- Marriage Prep
- Wedding Guidelines
- Wedding Ceremony Prep
- Natural Family Planning
- NFP Counselor
- Convalidation
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Marriage Prep
Congratulations on your engagement!
The marriage bond between man and woman is the symbol of the covenant which unites God and His people. And so you have come to the Church to witness your marriage. Why? Because you have recognized that for all the natural attraction, beauty and joy of marriage, there is an even deeper mystery involved when two people desire to become one. For it is in the mystery of God’s love that your love has been formed in the wisdom of God’s plan and your lives have been linked together. You now have to make the decision to make your relationship not only the exciting challenge of lovers, but also the sacramental commitment of believers.
Like all of the sacraments in the Church, the sacrament of matrimony brings about what it proclaims. The sign or symbol is not the Church wedding, not the presence of the priest and two witnesses, rather, the presentation and acceptance of a man and woman to and by each other. Marriage is a sacrament, like Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick – just as holy, just as rich, and just as important. The very existence of sacraments tells us that God can be experienced uniquely in a loving relationship between two people – husband and wife. Together, the couple can experience the unconditional acceptance of Jesus Christ, His creative power, His healing and forgiveness. Moreover, we believe that two people joined in such a dynamic sacramental union can symbolize (make sacramental) this same experience for their children and others who enter their lives.
Please note that there is a Mandatory SIX MONTH preparation period prior to the wedding date.
When you are ready, please call 813-885-7861 to make an appointment to speak with one of the priests or deacons who will help you begin this wonderful journey. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God bless you on your journey toward married life.
LINKS
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Documents
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Preparing for the Wedding Ceremony
Preparing the wedding ceremony is probably the easiest part of your preparation for marriage. However, even though it may be the easiest part, special care and attention should be paid to the details of planning the ceremony. To help with this, first you should download and read the Marriage Preparation and Wedding Guidelines booklet found here. Please read all sections of this booklet, and if you have any questions, contact the priest or deacon preparing you for marriage.
After you become familiar with these guidelines, you should begin discussing whether or not you would like the Wedding Mass or the simple Wedding Ceremony. Typically, if both parties are Catholic, the Wedding Mass is chosen, for what better prayer can be prayed for a newly married couple than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Often, if either the bride or groom is not Catholic, the simple Wedding Ceremony is chosen. However, the Wedding Mass is always available. Please be advised that discussion regarding aspects of the wedding ceremony will only be conducted with the bride or groom.
In order to help you plan the Mass or simple ceremony, we have prepared the following resource:
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Natural Family Planning
According to Blessed John Paul II, “Helping couples to deepen conjugal love and achieve responsible parenthood is part of the Church’s total pastoral ministry to Catholic spouses. Fulfillment of this ministry includes both education and pastoral care. This means ‘instilling conviction and offering practical help to those who wish to live out their parenthood in a truly responsible way’.” (Familiaris consortio, #35) Some of the help the Church offers to married couples is Natural Family Planning (NFP).
NFP is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the woman’s cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. This practice is in full accord with the teaching of the Catholic Church and has statistically been proven to be more effective in avoiding pregnancies when properly followed. In addition, by becoming more familiar with the signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s cycle, NFP can also be used to aid in conceiving a child for couples who are ready to add to their families.
NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.
Used with permission from the NFP Program, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- NFP and marriage preparation – all couples preparing for marriage at Incarnation Parish are required to meet with a certified nfp counselor for an introductory session regarding this method of family planning. After the introductory session, we pray that the couple will see the benefits of natural family planning and will continue learning this God given method for family planning. In doing this, the couple is meeting God’s desire for husband and wife to be always open to the gift of life when they enter into their one flesh union.
- Incarnation N.F.P. Counselor is Angela Robens, FCP. Click here.
LINKS
- USCCB NFP Page
- Humanae Vitae (On the Regulation of Birth)
- Contraception, Why Not…
- The Home of FertilityCare and NaProTECHNOLOGY
- Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction
- Fertility Care for Young Women
- NFP Outreach
- St. Gianna’s Center for Women’s Health & Fertility Care
VIDEOS:
The use of NaPro TECHNOLOGY for the successful treatment of infertility
Part I
Part II
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NFP Counselor
ANGELA ROBENS is a Fertility Care Practitioner with the Creighton Model of Fertility Care System. This model of fertility care was founded by Dr. Thomas Hillgers at the Pope Paul VI Institute, according to the teachings of Pope Paul VI’s Humana Vitae and Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
She is a longtime parishioner of St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa but has recently moved to Gulfport, Florida in south St. Petersburg. Although she no longer lives in the area, she still works with couples around Tampa. She has an office at St. Lawrence for individual sessions, and she and her husband are even available to speak with groups at other churches in the diocese of St. Petersburg.
Angela is available to work with engaged couples, married couples, and individuals of any age. She meets with them to help them monitor their health, fertility, and any gynecological issues, as well as assisting them in achieving or avoiding pregnancy, all according to the guidelines and within the boundaries of Catholic Church teaching. If necessary, there is a medical doctor available to examine and treat clients.
In addition to fertility care, Angela facilitates mother/daughter and father/son retreat days, with children starting at 8 years old. Also available are breastfeeding support, grandparent support, pregnancy support, and even pregnancy loss support.
Incarnation Parish is very happy and blessed to be able to offer Angela’s knowledge and services to parishioners interested in learning more about Catholic family planning and fertility care. If you or someone you know may stand to benefit from these services, please contact either the church office at the number in the column to the right or Angela directly at the information below.
ANGELA ROBENS, FCP
CREIGHTON MODEL FERTILITYCARE PRACTITIONER, NFP
(813) 389-7175 CELL
LINKS:
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Bringing Your Marriage Into the Church
Catholics who have married outside of the Catholic Church are encouraged to have their civil marriage recognized by the Church. We call this a convalidation. These couples, who were no doubt well intentioned and sincere in professing their vows outside of the Catholic Church, are not considered validly married in the eyes of the Catholic Church because Church law requires baptized Roman Catholics to marry before a bishop, priest, or deacon and two witnesses. If a couple finds themselves in this situation but want to have the Church officially recognize their marriage, then they should contact a priest in order to begin the process of convalidating their union. This process is usually not very difficult and often helps the couple live their faith more fully. Below is an outline of the usual procedure.
WHEN BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF CONVALIDATION, THE COUPLE SHOULD:
- Make an Appointment: Contact their local parish and make an appointment to speak with the priest or deacon in charge of marriage preparation so as to discuss their particular situation.
- Obtain Necessary Documents: Catholics need a recent copy of their baptismal certificate, including all notations. The recorded date should not be earlier than six months prior to beginning the convalidation process. Usually, the church of baptism will need the individual’s name, as well as their parent’s names, date of birth, and the approximate date of baptism. This is a regular request in parishes and should not take long to acquire. Baptized non-Catholics should attempt to supply proof of their baptism as well, either by certificate, letter from a parent, and/or pictures if need be. Other needed documents include: a copy of the civil marriage license, and any Declarations of Nullity if appropriate.
- Pursue Possible Annulment: If the marriage you wish to convalidate is not the first marriage for one or both of you, it may be necessary to first pursue an annulment of a prior marriage. If this is your situation, it may be necessary to petition for a Declaration of Nullity for the previous marriage. The priest or deacon assisting you with marriage preparation will be able to give you more information on this.
- Complete Paperwork: A Premarital Investigation, as well as other necessary paperwork, must be filled out with the priest or deacon assisting you with marriage preparation.
- Determine Date and Time for the Ceremony: At the appropriate time during the process, the priest or deacon will help you determine the date, time of the ceremony, as well as the appropriate type of ceremony to have. The planning of the actual ceremony will come later.
- Make a good Confession: The Catholic spouse(s) should celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the convalidation ceremony. It is very common for the people who were not married in the Church to have not been to Confession for a long time. If one doesn’t remember how to make a good Confession, one needs only to ask the priest for help.
- Plan the Ceremony: Plan the ceremony that will follow the liturgical blessing to celebrate the Church’s recognition of the marriage.
For more information on the process of Marriage Preparation, click here.
