St. John The Baptist Catholic Church

Where All Are Welcome

Call the Parish office : (916) 985-2065

Matrimony

The union of a man and a woman is natural. The natural language of the human body is such that the man gives to the woman and the woman receives the man. The love and friendship between a man and a woman grow into a desire for marriage. The sacrament of marriage gives the couple the grace to grow into a union of heart and soul, to continue life, and to provide stability for themselves and their children. Children are the fruit and bond of a marriage.
The bond of marriage between a man and a woman lasts all the days of their lives, and the form of the rite consists of the mutual exchange of vows by a couple, both of whom have been baptized. The minister serves as a witness to the couple in the West, but serves as the actual minister of the rite in the East. The matter follows later through consummation of the marriage act.
Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God, and concludes with a vision of the "wedding-feast of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:7, 9). The bond of marriage is compared to God's undying love for Israel in the Old Testament, and Christ's love for his Church in the New Testament of the Bible.
Jesus stresses the significance of the marriage bond in his Ministry (Matthew 19:6, 8). The importance of marriage is substantiated by the presence of Christ at the wedding feast of Cana, where he began his public ministry at the request of his mother Mary by performing his first miracle (John 2). It is the Apostle Paul who calls matrimony a great sacrament or mystery, and who identifies the marriage of man and woman with the unity of Christ and his Church.

Sacrament	Biblical Basis	Central Words	Central Actions	Effects
Matrimony	Gen 2:24 - "a man leaves his parents and clings to his wife and they become one flesh";	"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."	The husband and wife make these promises to each other publicly. (Rings are exchanged as a visible sign of this verbal commitment.)	Being united ("one flesh") in God's eyes; becoming a publicly and legally recognized couple.
Marriage	Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9 - Jesus teaches against divorce; "What God has joined together, let no one separate"; Eph 5:22-33; 1Cor 7:10-16 - Paul stresses the unity of husbands and wives; (not simply Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11)	(or a similar formula)

Sacrament

Biblical Basis

Central Words

Central Actions

Effects

Matrimony

Gen 2:24 - "a man leaves his parents and clings to his wife and they become one flesh";

"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

The husband and wife make these promises to each other publicly. (Rings are exchanged as a visible sign of this verbal commitment.)

Being united ("one flesh") in God's eyes; becoming a publicly and legally recognized couple.

Marriage

Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9 - Jesus teaches against divorce; "What God has joined together, let no one separate";

Eph 5:22-33; 1Cor 7:10-16 - Paul stresses the unity of husbands and wives;

(not simply Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11)

(or a similar formula)

Matrimony at St. John the Baptist

General Guidelines for Marriages at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church:

If you wish to be married at St. John's, the first thing you must do is contact the priest here at the parish at least six months prior to the planned wedding date. Please call the parish office at (916) 985-2065 to make an appointment.
To help you in your planning, the following guidelines are provided. You may use them as a general guide, but during your visit with the priest the needs and requirements as they apply to your specific situation will be determined.

There are certain things required by the Church for a Church Wedding:

FIRST of all: At least one (either the bride or groom) must be a Catholic.
SECOND: The church can be reserved for weddings only by contacting one of the priests or deacons in the parish.
DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATES NEEDED ARE THOSE INDICATED:
- Certificate of Baptism for Catholics
- Certificate of Baptism for baptized Non-Catholics
- First Communion and Confirmation certificates for Catholics
- Two Affidavits of Freedom to Marry
- Self-Testimony filled out in the presence of a priest of deacon
- A Marriage License from the State of California
- Proof of Annulment by the Church for any previous marriage

THE COUPLE IS ALSO ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAMS

The Pre-Conference
Engaged Couples Retreat
Evenings for the Engaged
Parish Marriage Preparation Program
The Pastor or deacon will furnish the necessary information on the programs.

THE NUPTIAL MASS OR MARRIAGE CEREMONY

A Nuptial Mass takes approximately one hour for the wedding. The wedding ceremony without the Nuptial Mass takes about one half-hour. The Pastor, Parochial Vicar or Deacon of our Parish usually will officiate. Visiting clergy are welcome.

TIME OF WEDDINGS

Weddings are normally held on Saturdays at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. However, weddings can take place on any day of the week.

FLOWERS

Any florist of your choice is satisfactory. Your flowers can be taken with you to the reception.
The church is cleaned and the sanctuary prepared for the Weekend Masses at St. John's on Friday mornings. The church sanctuary and brides room are to be left as you found them. Flowers or bows may be attached to the pews with rubber bands or special made attachments, but must be removed after the wedding..

ORGANIST/VOCALIST

You may have your own organist or vocalist, but if one is recommended by the pastor, deacon or wedding coordinator they must be paid in advance at the rehearsal. The regular fee for the organist is $100 and the fee for the vocalist is $75.
You need to contact the musicians. Please call the parish office for phone numbers of the vocalists/organist.

CHURCH CONTRIBUTION

A $100 deposit is required to reserve the church for the wedding day. The deposit will be deducted from the total church contribution which is due a month before the wedding. Make the check out to St. John's Church. Please put the date of the wedding on the check. The usual offering to the church is $350 for parishioners and $450 for non-parishioners. If this is a hardship then let the Priest or Deacon know beforehand.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Any photographer of your choice is permissible. Pictures may be taken during the ceremony - posed pictures during the ceremony or any action by the photographer that may interfere with the ceremony are to be avoided. There is a time limit of one-half hour for taking pictures in the church after the ceremony. Pictures taking must never conflict with the arrival and/or beginning of another scheduled wedding.

REHEARSALS/WEDDING COORDINATOR

Arrangements for wedding rehearsals are to be made with the wedding coordinator. Please call (916) 985-2065 for the phone number of the coordinator.

CHURCH DECORUM

This parish does not allow rice, birdseed, sparkle or rose petals to be used inside or outside of the church.
It you use a Unity Candle; it must be placed on a small table and not on the altar. Candles may not be used in the processions. Candles may be purchased at St. John' Gift Shop.

MUSIC

Our parish is blessed with a number of very competent musicians. All music must be coordinated with the wedding coordinator.

BRIDE’S DRESSING ROOM

There is a dressing room in the church. No alcohol is allowed in the bride’s room. You must leave it in the same condition that you found it.

SEASONAL DECORATIONS

There are seasons in the Church year when the church is specially decorated. These decorations MAY NOT be removed for the ceremony should your wedding occur during these times. (Christmas - December 25 to January 7; Lent and Easter).

MARRIAGE LICENSE

A license to marry must be obtained from the office of a County Clerk from any county in the State of California. A marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. It must be presented to the priest or deacon before he can officiate at the service. (You may give the license to the priest or deacon as soon as you receive it). The best man and maid of honor should see the priest or deacon after the ceremony to sign the marriage license.

CHURCH SPECIFICATIONS

Center Aisle Length - 60 feet
Rows of Pews - 13
Maximum Seating Capacity - 886