ST. MONICA

Getting Started

Scheduling the Wedding

Contact the Marriage Ministry Coordinator, Martha Gonzalez, at mgonzalez@stmonicachurch.org or call her at 214.358.1453 ext. 7164 to set up a meeting and learn about availability. During the initial meeting, you can set a wedding date. The wedding date should be at least 6-9 months after that first meeting. A couple must be free to marry in the Catholic Church. If either person has been previously married, no date can be set until their freedom to marry has been determined. 

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Wedding Celebrations

Weddings are celebrated on Saturdays at 12:00 pm; 2:00 pm; or 7:00 pm. Other days and times can be arranged if the church is available. A rehearsal will also be set when the wedding is scheduled. The rehearsal is typically on Friday evening before the wedding day.

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Wedding Celebrant

The pastor, parochial vicar, or a deacon usually witness marriages. A relative or friend who is a priest or deacon is welcome to officiate a wedding at St. Monica. Any priest or deacon from outside the Diocese of Dallas who plans to celebrate/assist with a wedding will need a current Letter of Good Standing from their Bishop or the Superior of their order.

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Documents Needed (All necessary paperwork should be completed three months after the initial meeting.)

• Newly Issued Baptism Certificate

Every Catholic must present a Baptism certificate from their church of Baptism. The certificate must be issued within 6 months of the scheduled first meeting with the celebrant. The document should have notations on the back indicating all Sacraments received up to date.

• Prenuptial Questionnaire

After the Baptismal certificate has been received and the preparation programs have been completed, this form is completed with the celebrant witnessing the marriage. It is necessary to complete the paperwork at least two months before the wedding date.

• Affidavit of Free Status

The Affidavit of Free Status is a form which asks a parent or other relative to be a witness to the fact that you are free to marry. The two forms (one for the bride and one for the groom) can be delivered at a scheduled meeting with the Marriage Ministry Coordinator. 

• Civil Marriage License

If you are to be married in Texas, you will need a Texas Marriage License. This can be obtained from any County Clerk in Texas. Call 214-653-7131 for information and to find the office nearest you. There is a 72-hour waiting period before the license may be used. It expires after 90 days. The County Clerk office nearest St. Monica is the north Dallas location at 10056 Marsh Lane, Suite 137. If you are to be married outside of Texas, check on the requirements of that state/country. They may vary from those of Texas.

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Fees

The fee for celebrating a wedding at St. Monica Church is $1,400. The fees are broken down as follows:

-$200 date reservation deposit [non-refundable]
-$1,000 church fee [non-refundable] (includes use of the church, priest stipend,     and fee for St. Monica wedding coordinator)
-$200 security deposit [refundable]

Payment can be made at the church office. The church fee must be paid two months prior to the ceremony.

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Preparing for Marriage

St. Monica prepares engaged couples for the Sacrament of Marriage by providing them with opportunities to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live a married life with Christ as the foundation of their marriage. Preparation involves three programs:

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1. FOCCUS and Sponsor Couple Program

As engaged couples prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage, they are assigned a sponsor couple and they complete the FOCCUS (Facilitate Open Caring Communication, Understanding, and Study) pre-marriage inventory. The FOCCUS inventory is a research-based assessment that considers topics pertaining to family issues, money, sexuality, role expectations, parenting, and other areas. Based on the evaluation, the sponsor couple helps facilitate discussion on issues that need attention, affirmation, or problem-solving. To schedule a FOCCUS, call the Marriage Ministry Coordinator, Martha Gonzalez, at 214.358.1453 ext. 7164.

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2. Engagement Workshop

St. Monica offers a workshop that covers the following topics: Faith in Marriage, Finances, and Budgeting, Theology of the Body, and Interpersonal Communication. The workshop is offered four times a year - couples are required to attend one prior to their marriage ceremony. 

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Future Workshop Dates:​​​​​​​​

• November 14, 2020

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(Registration & Breakfast at 8:00 am)
Lower Lounge (Room 109) in the Family Center

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To register online for a workshop, click here.​

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3. Introduction to Natural Family Planning

St. Monica offers information sessions on how to use the Creighton Model Fertility Care System (CrMS). Optional training courses are also available.

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Creighton Model of Fertility Care System is:

• 96.8% effective in avoiding pregnancy

• 40-80% effective in achieving pregnancy

• 95% effective for treating premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression

• Divorce rates among couples who use natural family planning are less than 2%

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For more information on the Creighton Model of Fertility Care System visit www.texasfertilitycarenfp.org.

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NFP Class Dates:​

• September 15, 2020

• November 24, 2020

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To register for a Natural Family Planning class, please click here.

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Additional Resources

For Your Marriage - a website initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The website provides a variety of resources for newly married and long-time married couples.

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Wedding Considerations

Ceremony

It’s important to remember that your wedding is taking place in a religious setting. If the bride and groom are both Catholic, the wedding is usually celebrated with a Nuptial Mass. If a bride or groom is baptized non-Catholic, the wedding may be celebrated with a Mass or without a Mass, as you determine. Only the Catholic partner will receive Holy Communion. If a bride or groom is not baptized, the wedding is celebrated without a Mass.

Scripture Readings

To assist you in planning the wedding ceremony, you can select your readings by downloading a document with readings. Inform the Marriage Ministry Coordinator of the readings you’ve chosen one week prior to the wedding date.

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Music

Our organist will help you with music selections for your ceremony. The music selected must be suitable for the religious nature of your wedding. Music should be chosen four weeks prior to the celebration. To set a music consultation meeting, contact Conner McMains cmcmains@stmonicachurch.org.

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Decorating the Church

Only live flowers can be used. Petals are not allowed during or after the ceremony. During the Christmas or Easter season, the arrangements that are already present in the church may not be moved/rearranged. Pew bows can be used, but they must be attached without tape. Ribbons or snail clips are permitted. Aisle cloths and archways are not allowed. Flower arrangements may not be taller than 4 feet. Columns are not allowed. Please contact the Marriage Ministry Coordinator with additional questions regarding decorations.

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Photography/Videography

Flash photography is permitted as the couple enters and leaves the church, but it isn’t permissible once the couple arrives at the altar. No spotlights may be used during the wedding. No one can enter the Altar area during the ceremony. Photographers/Videographers are to be discrete when moving around during the ceremony. After the wedding, group pictures can be taken at the Altar.