Congratulations!

The decision to marry is a joyful moment for you, your families and the Church. We are happy to be a part of this holy moment of celebration. As one of the Seven Sacraments, Marriage is blessing in our lives given by God and entered into with hope and prudence. The parish is anxious to help you prepare not only for the wedding day but for your lifelong marriage commitment.

The marriage of two people is a symbol of Christ’s love for His Church. Therefore, the exchange of wedding vows takes place in the context of the community. Your family and friends represent all the People of God. Together, we bless you, support you. As a Sacrament, you enter into a covenant with God and each another. From a social perspective, you enter into a contract with society creating the most basic pillar of society, the family. In both, you promise a love to last a lifetime!

Marriage in the Catholic Church also expresses a commitment to the faith and its practice. These months of engagement are an ideal time to reflect on your faith. This may mean a deepening of your relationship with God, or it could mean a fresh start, a renewal of commitment. We encourage you to be sure to spend time in prayer, especially at Sunday Mass, as you enter into the Sacrament of Marriage. May God bless you during these exciting days!

With Best Wishes,
The Community of Saint Pascal Church

There are some very important requirements to be fulfilled before a wedding takes place.

The parish must be contacted a minimum of six months in advance prior to the wedding.

This is important because the date must be reserved and all preparation must be complete.

Marriage preparation consists of

• an introductory meeting to discuss all the requirements

• several meetings with the priest or deacon who will witness your wedding

• the FOCCUS relationship survey.

• PreCana, an Archdiocesan marriage prep component.

• Liturgy planning with the priest or deacon as well as the Music Director.

• the Rehearsal.

It is a lot to cover, so it is important to honor the six month requirement. A year would be better and to your advantage!

Documents Required 

We will need the following documents:

• a NEW baptismal certificate.

• a NEW Confirmation certificate (if Confirmed).

• two witness affidavits.

• a civil marriage license from Cook County.

If you have been married before --- in any church or before a judge or any other civil authority, even to each other, you must inform the person taking the initial information when you call the parish. Also if you have been married before, you must provide:

• a death certificate of your former spouse, or

• the divorce decree

• a declaration of nullity or annulment from the Catholic Church. If either of these is needed, we will be happy to assist. However, no date for the wedding can be recorded until we are certain both parties are free to marry.

The Ceremony

Everyone wants their wedding to be special, and they all are! Because you are asking God’s blessing upon your marriage, the wedding must take place in church, except in extraordinary cases. No wedding can take place outdoors.

All liturgical guidelines are in effect, so your wedding reflects the faith commitment of all involved. Music, décor, gestures, clothing should all be a sign of respect for God and His house.

The best rule for the wedding is to keep it simple. Extravagant numbers of couples for the wedding party is out of place. You must have a Best Man and Maid of Honor. The wedding party and other principal players for your wedding should be at the church 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the wedding. However, because we do not have a bridal room, we recommend that the bride stay in the car until a few minutes before she is begin her walk up the aisle.

The total time allotted per wedding is one and a half hours. Within that ninety minute time frame, we will have plenty of time to have the wedding in a reverent and relaxed manner, take pictures and have the church available for other parish activities. But it is especially important that the wedding start on time because the limit is ninety minutes.

Donations

There is no way to thank God enough for the blessing that comes in marriage. The donations outlined here merely help in supporting the work of Saint Pascal Church.

• $100 non-refundable down payment to reserve the date. Changing the date will forfeit this deposit. We have many people seeking dates!

• $300 for currently registered parishioners or if the immediate family is registered.

• $375 for former parishioners.

• $450 for those who are not and never have been registered here.

The deposit will go toward the final donation total.

Other fees, such as the PreCana, musician and cantor fees are dealt with directly with those parties. Because our Music Director makes his living doing this work, he is ordinarily the person who will play for the wedding. If you choose to use an outside musician, there is a $100 bench fee.

The church donation check should be made out to Saint Pascal Church. It will go directly to the parish and is not retained by the priest or deacon witnessing your wedding. An honorarium for that person is appreciated but optional.  Also, you will have two servers at your wedding.  A small honorarium ($10 – $20) would be appropriate for their help.

The Rehearsal

Please bring to the rehearsal

• the Cook County Marriage License.

• Church donation

• Musician fees

• 2 servers’ honoraria ($10 or $20 each)

• Honorarium for presider

• the Unity Candle (optional)

• “Together for Life” wedding preparation book  - (to be provided  by the parish).\

Preserving the Day

Many weddings use a photographer or videographer to preserve the happy memories.  Please be sure to pass on the enclosed sheets with all the rules for them and retain a copy for yourself.  They should be on time, dressed properly and discreet.  Sometimes in trying to preserve the moment (and get that “special shot”) they can ruin the moment by jumping in the aisle, blocking your parents’ view, etc.

Final Reminders!

Do ---

• Call the church first to set a date not the reception hall.

• Be on time for meetings, rehearsal and wedding.

• Use flowers sparingly

• No aisle runners

• No “wedding planners” should interfere with the wedding

• Make sure all planning is complete and details settled before the rehearsal

• Ask your questions and get your answers from the parish staff.

• If someone throws flower pedals, you must have someone to clean them up.

• Flowers can be affixed to the pews with wire or hooks --- no tape.

• Make sure you and the wedding party have a bite to eat prior to the ceremony.  (It will avoid you or your party from fainting in the middle of the ceremony!)

 Don’t ---

• Don’t skip planning meetings or be late

• Absolutely no candy, gum, chewing gum or alcohol in the church. If anyone shows evidence of drinking on the day of the wedding, they will not take part in the day --- and that includes the bride or groom. Seriously.

• No runners, flower arches, pillars or wagons for infants…and if we really have to say it --- no pets!

• Don’t force children under six to walk down the aisle.

• Don’t throw rice or birdseed.

Odds and Ends 

Saint Pascal Church is handicap accessible from the Dakin Street Parking Lot.

The mailing address is

3935 N. Melvina Ave.
Chicago, IL 60634

However, for the invitations, it might be easier to indicate:

6200 W. Irving Park Road as well as provide a map through Mapquest or any other mapping website.