Preparation
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All couples MUST be pre-registered to begin attending Marriage Preparation.
Walk-ins are not permitted.
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Steps for Marriage Preparation
I. Attend Initial Session
Sunday or a weekday evening beginning at 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMII. Complete Marriage Inventory
Prepare/Enrich is a tool that helps us to guide your marriage preparation. It has been developed by professional counselors who specialize in marriage counseling. It is important that you answer the questions honestly and independently of each other. The cost of the inventory is included in your fee. The inventory needs to be completed prior to beginning your first preparation session.III. Attend Preparation Sessions
- Communication – Offered Sundays 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM.,
- Theology of the Marriage 1 – Offered Sundays 12:30 – 2:30 PM and weeknights from 7:00 – 8:30 PM.
- Theology of the Marriage 2 – Offered Sundays 12:30 – 2:30 PM and weeknights from 7:00 – 8:30 PM.
- Natural Family Planning– Offered Sundays from 12:30 pm. – 2:00 PM. and weeknights from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
IV. Music/Liturgy preparation Seminar - The music seminar currently takes place virtually by contacting musicoffice@sacredhearthouston.org. Couples will register for music preparation and receive detailed information regarding procedure, policy, and music selections for their wedding.
Note: All couples are assigned at least 2 currently trained Co-Cathedral staff musicians (organist and cantor). Music must be appropriate for Catholic liturgies; secular music or even popular Christian praise and worship music is not liturgical, and therefore not permitted. Pre-recorded music is also not permitted. Outside musicians are supplemental to your Co-Cathedral musicians and must be pre-approved by the Co-Cathedral Music Directors.
V. Individual preparation sessions with the clergy- Will be scheduled according to agreed-upon times/days and will occur based on the needs of each couple as determined by the clergy. Typically, these sessions will occur with a review of the results from Prepare/Enrich.
VI. Couples Retreat- Couples will need to attend one retreat provided by the Co-Cathedral.
**Couples located in Houston will need to complete their preparation at the Co-Cathedral.**Necessary Documentation
Baptismal Certificates – If the bride and groom are baptized Christians (Catholic or other Christian denomination), they must provide the Co-Cathedral with a copy of their baptismal certificate(s). For those baptized in the Catholic Church, the certificate must be issued by their church of baptism within six months of the wedding date.
Freedom to Marry Affidavit – The bride and groom need two witnesses each. Witnesses are family members or friends and have known the bride/groom for at least ten years. They will fill out the provided documentation, which will be returned to the priest or deacon during your first meeting with them.
Other documentation may be required, depending on marital circumstances.
State of Texas Marriage License – Must acquire this through the state of Texas 90 days in advance and it is not valid for the first 72 hours. Couples who complete the parish preparation program are issued a “Twogether in Texas” certificate, which may be turned in to the County Clerk for a discount on the marriage license.
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Contact Us
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Mary Capriomcapriosacredhearthouston.orgDirector of Family Life -
Natasha Manleymusicofficesacredhearthouston.orgDirector, Music Operations
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Fees
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For couples only completing marriage preparation: A $500.00 fee is required to be paid in full when registering for the marriage preparation sessions.
For couples completing marriage preparation and marrying at the Co-Cathedral: $1600 parishioner/$2800 non-parishioner. These rates include church use fee, preparation with (4) NFP follow ups, the cantor/organist, the inventory, and the wedding coordinator fee. A $500.00 refundable deposit is required to be paid in full when registering for the marriage preparation sessions. Click here for the entire fee schedule for weddings at the Co-Cathedral.
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