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So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper  was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
~ Genesis 2:20-25
 

 


the Sacrament of Marriage

at St. John Chrysostom    -    Page 2 of 3



 


 

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Weddings - Page 3 - Wedding Music

 

 

    The information on the Marriage Pages is copyright © 2010 St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited


Quick links to these subjects below:

Wedding Ceremony

Music

Flowers

Photography

Confetti and Rice

Rehearsals

Fees – Stipends
 

 
 
 

 

Wedding Ceremony

The Eucharist (mass), is celebrated only when both parties are Catholic. To have the Mass with only one of the couple receiving communion would be contrary to the whole theology of the unity of the couple and would make the non-catholic appear as a spectator at his or her own marriage. This would not be appropriate.

All couples will be given a choice of the scripture readings for their own ceremony. These choices should be brought to the wedding rehearsal.

The couple should choose two people to read the first and second readings. The priest always reads the gospel. The readers should come to the rehearsal to become familiar with the sound system in the church.

All the liturgical books now recommend that both the bride and the groom should greet the guests as they come into the church and that the bride and groom process to the altar together. The practice of having the groom appear from the front of the church is contrary to our understanding of the sacrament of marriage. Both the bride and the groom are the principal celebrants of this sacrament and thus should enter together.

The practice of giving the bride away as some sort of commodity because the groom has paid a dowry belongs to the past ages. And the idea that the bride and groom should not see each other on the day of the wedding is hocus-pocus and has nothing to do with faith. It is silly superstition. It is also recommended that both the parents of the groom and of the bride should join the procession.

We strongly recommend only two principal witnesses, the maid of honour and the best man. Extra bridesmaids or extra virgins in case the groom tires of the bride is really not appropriate. Nonetheless no more than four bridesmaids and ushers. Any more than this tends to make the wedding more of a theatrical production than a religious ceremony.

Flower girls and ring bearers should be at least four years old. Otherwise they disrupt the ceremony and this is not cute. Weddings are not about cute. Take Ann Landers advice and eliminate these small people altogether.

    

 

 

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Music

David Jafelice is the Minister of music in the parish and he should be consulted regarding appropriate music for you wedding. He will also assist you in the planning of the liturgy for this most important date in your life. His phone number is 416-696-1228.

Please also see page 3 - Music for the Sacrament of Marriage that David prepared.

Wedding Music

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  Flowers

These are up to the couple, we only ask that you do not over do it. You may feel free to take the flowers to the reception if you wish. If there is more than one wedding on your day and you wish to share the flowers with another bride. Ask the priest for the appropriate phone number to contact the other bride. If you order an arch of flowers, it must be placed at the back of the church. No large displays of flowers may be placed in the aisles. Both these and the arches, restrict the view of your guests and make a meaningful liturgy almost impossible. Pew bows with flowers are quite acceptable.

    

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  Photography

The photographer should check with the priest prior to the wedding for any necessary instructions. Guest may take all the pictures they like as long as they remain in their pews. Video is permitted but this should be done from a fixed position using a tripod.

    

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  Confetti and Rice

Absolutely forbidden in the church itself. Out side we suggest grass seed.

    

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  Rehearsals

Arranged with Erin Wrightson – phone 830-9827. Erin will do the rehearsal and return for the wedding itself to co-ordinate the ceremony. There is a fee of $100.00 for Erin for the service she provides.

    

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  Fees – Stipends

There are no set fees or charges for the church, but it is customary to make a donation to the church and to give a cash gift to the priest. The usual donation to the church is $300.00. The easiest way to do this, as well as the organist fee, is to bring appropriate envelopes to the rehearsal and give them to Erin.

    

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Weddings - Page 3 - Wedding Music

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  If you would like a hard copy of "Marriage at St. John's", download a .pdf version of this page and the previous one. Right click the button and select "save target as...". Otherwise, your priest will give you this information at your first meeting.

 

 

Marriage at St. John's

 
 
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