Preparing for a Catholic Marriage
Catholics are requested to give the officiating priest at least six months notice of their intention to marry.
While one months notice is obligatory by law, the advanced notice requested allows time for serious marriage preparation.
Couples are counselled by the priest during this time and are also urged to attend marriage preparation courses.
Documents required for marriage in the Catholic Church
The Notification of Intention to Marry Form, available from your parish priest, must be signed no more than three months and no less than one month prior to the wedding day.
Each person must obtain the following documents:
If either party has been married before:
OR
AND
Mixed Marriage
A mixed marriage is one where one party is a Catholic and the other party is not a Catholic, whether baptised or not. A Catholic, even when entering a mixed marriage must be married before a Catholic priest.
Permission can be given for a Catholic to marry one who is not a Catholic, provided that the Catholic promises to safeguard their own Catholic faith and to do all in their power to have the children of the marriage baptised and brought up as Catholic.
The partner who is not a Catholic is not required to make any promises but is informed of the expectations the Church has of the Catholic partner.
Place of Marriage
Since the celebration of the sacrament of marriage has an important religious meaning it is celebrated in the Catholic Church.
Where one of the partners is not a Catholic and has a strong connection to his or her own Church, the Bishop may give permission for the marriage to take place in the other Church.
Only in very exceptional circumstances will permission be given for a marriage to take place elsewhere than in a Church.
Marriage Counselling
The official Diocesan Catholic welfare agency, Centacare Broken Bay, is accredited by the Australian Attorney-General under the provision of the Family Law Act, to assist couples when a marital relationship is at risk, and to help in the resolution of custody and maintenance questions when a separation is inevitable.
Centacare employs staff who are well skilled in the counselling process and who are familiar with the Catholic teachings and traditions about marriage and divorce. They are able to be of significant help in times of marital disharmony and imminent separation.
Centacare marriage counselling programs are available to couples or individuals, Catholics and non-Catholics.
Marriage Preparation Courses
Centacare Broken Bay offers two programs of marriage preparation for couples, Catholic and non-Catholic - Partners for Life and FOCCUS
1) FOCCUS
A couple program. Foccus is an indepth user-friendly questionnaire designed to help you and your partner learn more about yoruselves and your unique relationship. The sessions are facilitated by an accredited Relationship Educator in a confidential environment - available by appointment only. Ideally, Foccus is completed before a pre-marriage course.
Cost: $245 per couple. Please download brochure for further details.
2) Partners for Life
A Group program. This Friday evening/Saturday program, conducted by Centacare Broken Bay, is designed to assist couples to build and sustain a meaningful relationship in yoru marraige.
Cost: $199 per couple. Cost includes course materials, ligth dinner, lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
COST FOR BOTH COURSES: $399 per couple.
Download Pre-Marriage brochure
Courses conducted by Centacare Broken Bay observe the best practices of adult education and in doing so:
try to identify potential trouble spots; and
encourage sharing with each other and with other couples in the course.
The courses do not:
The facilitators are all trained educators who come from a variety of backgrounds including education, nursing, welfare, psychology and banking. Common to all in the team is long experience in their own marriages.
The programme is supported by the Australian Council of Natural Family Planning.
Extension courses are planned during the year and will be advertised at the pre-marriage courses. Many couples are keen to explore issues raised and learn skills in more detail.
It is recommended couples complete the courses several months before their wedding.
For more information or program bookings plese contact: (02) 9488 2400
Marriage Encounter
A Marriage Encounter is a weekend away, offering married couples a special kind of "time out", - a different kind of "weekend getaway". It is an opportunity to recharge your relationship batteries and more deeply explore the precious nature of your marriage. It offers a gentle, nurturing environment, away from the pressures and distractions of daily living. Thus, it allows you both to share your feelings, hopes and dreams with each other in ways that normal, daily living tends to inhibit.
Marriage Annulment
Church law about the annulment of marriages can sometimes be complex and specialist advice may be required. For further information, please contact your local parish priest or the Marriage Tribunal.
Marriage Tribunal
Diocese of Broken Bay
Caroline Chisholm Centre
Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road
Pennant Hills NSW 2120
Mail: PO Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715
Tel: 02 9847 0458
Fax: 02 9847 0221
Email: tribunal@brokenbay.catholic.org.au
Links to other marriage preparation sites follow:
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Retrouvaille
A programme to help couples heal and renew their own marriage relationship.
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Catholic Society for Marriage Education
The aim of the Society is to promote and support marriage and family life in the Catholic vision by encouraging marriage and relationship education for couples considering marriage and for married couples, throughout Australia.
The site also contains links to other marriage sites in Australia and overseas.