“This one, at last, is bone of my bones 

and flesh of my flesh!"

 (Genesis 2:23)

 

An Introduction

GOD’S PLAN FOR LOVE:

Congratulations! You're engaged! Since the beginning of time, God has made it known that "it is not good for the man to be alone". And now, we share in your joy as your heart proclaims, "I have found the one whom [my] soul loves"! Indeed, your "big day" is drawing near, and we are here to help you plan for it. However, let us not get lost in the details that surround this single day: selecting a caterer, buying the perfect dress, etc. But instead, let us remember that a Christian marriage actually lasts a lifetime. We, at St. Cecilias, desire to accompany you as you prepare for not just a beautiful wedding, but for a joy-filled marriage.

Our Catholic faith holds marriage in high regard, given it's dignity as a Sacrament. In fact, through holy matrimony, a husband and wife themselves become a living sacrament (in the sense that a sacrament makes visible that which is invisible). Through their bodies, a husband and wife "transfer into the visible reality of the world, the invisible mystery hidden in God from time immemorial, and thus [become] a sign of it" (St. John Paul II). In a word, through their marital love and gift of self, they reveal and give flesh to the Trinity's innermost secret: God is love. 
 

With this in mind, God's love is free (Jn 10:18), total (Jn 13:1), faithful (Matt 28:20), and fruitful (Jn 10:10). And so too, ought the love that is shared between a husband and wife, father and mother, be free, total, faithful and fruitful. These are not just "arbitary adjectives", but in fact, they illustarte how to imitate the gift Christ gave to us on the cross, his "self-emptying" love. St. Paul speaks of this when he says, "Wives be submissive to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:21,25). St. Paul does not say this to tick people off. Instead, he says this to encourage wives to be “under the mission” (Latin: “sub” = under, “missio” = mission) of their husband. And what is that mission, but to love as Christ loved the Church. And how did Christ love the Church? He “gave up himself for her” (5:25) - HE SUFFERED AND DIED FOR HIS BELOVED! Now what heart is not moved by a love like that?! 
 

And so, as you enter in this divine mystery, we invite you to prepare for a joy filled marriage, as you rediscover God’s plan for love.

THE MARRIAGE PREP PROCESS

FIRST STEP:

Your first step, before anything else, should be to contact us to schedule your wedding date. For St. Anthony, St. Margaret-St. John, or St. Cecilia, please set up a time to speak with John David Kimes, Coord. of Young Adult Ministry/Wedding Reservations: 

Schedule Your Wedding Reservation Appointment TODAY! (via Calendly)

Next Steps:

After meeting with our Coordinator of Wedding Reservations and scheduling your wedding date, you will be contacted by Marta Misleh, our Wedding Coordinator, within a couple weeks. You should also then review our marriage preparation process and requirements below for the Eastside Pastoral Region (St. Anthony, St. Cecilia, St. Margaret-St. John):

1) Meetings with Priest/Deacon 

2) Complete M1/M2/MB Form (as needed) (Set up through St. Cecilia)

3) FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory (Set up through St. Cecilia)

4) Pre-Cana Retreat* (click links below to find out how to register)

Choose ONE of the pre-cana retreats listed below:

• Genesis Retreat (Archdiocese of Cincinnati: Marriage and Family Life Office)
• Engaged Encounter (Cincinnati-Covington Catholic Engaged Encounter)
• Three to Get Married (Regnum Christi Ohio Valley)

5) Natural Family Planning Classes* (click links below to find out how to register)

Choose ONE of the NFP methods listed below:

• Sympto-Thermal Method, aka "STM" (Couple to Couple League)
• The Creighton Method (Creighton Fertility Care)
• The Billings Method (Billings Ovulation Method Association)
• The Cross-Check Method, aka "STM" (NFP International, Inc.)
• Marquette Method (Marquette University College of Nursing - NFP)

6) Music Planning Meeting with Director of Music Ministry 

7) Your Commitments:

• Stewardship of Prayer: Faithful Participation in the Sacramental & Spiritual Life
  • Must I go to Mass every Sunday?
  • Why Confess my Sins to a Priest?
• Stewardship of Ministry: Active Involvement in the Life of the Parish 
  • Ways to Get Involved in the Young Adult Ministry
  • Sign Up to Volunteer for One of Our Three Parish Festivals
• Stewardship of Finance: Supporting the Good Work of the Church
  • Register Here for Online Giving
• Practicing Chastity Until Marriage: Speaking the Truth in & through your Body
  • The Secret About Sex and Holiness
  • Why Did God Give us Bodies?

 

*Pre-Cana Retreats and NFP Classes fill up quickly - so DO NOT WAIT! You will need to provide a certificate from each to satisfy your marriage preparation requirements. 

MORE INFORMATION

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS (FAQ):

Not yet engaged, but will be soon?: In order to eventually secure your date as an registered active parishioner, you must be an active parishioner for 3 months prior to reserving your wedding date (in addition to the minimum of 6 months of preparation time required in advance of the wedding date). If you are not currently registered as a parishioner, visit Our New Parishioner Registration Page now in order to meet that requirement, and become active in the parish: Ways to Get Involved in the Young Adult Ministry.

Paying the Deposit: When the time comes, you may pay your deposit on our Online Giving Page (under "fund", select "wedding payment"), OR by mailing in a check, OR by dropping an enevelope in the collection basket at Sunday Mass (Attn: John David Kimes, Wedding Payment).

For marriage prep ONLY: Please note there will be a $250 preparation fee to cover the costs of your preparation.

For Convalidations: Please speak with our Coordinator of Wedding Reservations for more information.

Follow Up: Given the size of our staff, and the amount of wedding requests we receive, please give us at least 7-10 business days before following up. However, if you need immediate assistance, please call us at (513) 871-5757, and we’ll do our best to respond in a timely manner. 

WEDDING GUIDELINE BOOKLETs:

What you need to know about having your wedding at St. Cecilia. (PDF)

What you need to know about having your wedding at St. Anthony. (PDF)

QUESTIONS?

John David Kimes
Coord. of Wedding Reservations &
Young Adult Ministry
(513) 871-5757 ext. 206
jkimes@eastsideregion.org

 Marta Misleh
Wedding Coordinator
(513) 871-5757 ext. 207
mmisleh@stceciliacincinnati.org

Bob Kellison
Director of Music Ministry
(513) 871-5757 ext. 208
bkellison@stceciliacincinnati.org