THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY
Selection of Date and Time
Couples must contact the Parish 6 months before the date of the Wedding per Diocese of Helena Policy. Saturday Rite of Holy Matrimony Ceremonies may take place at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm & with permission from the Pastor, 7:00 pm at the Immaculate Conception and St. Patrick Churches. Evening Ceremonies on Friday may also be scheduled at both churches between the hours of 4:30 – 7:00 pm with approval by the priest. Selected dates may be scheduled one year prior to the Ceremony. The Rite of Holy Matrimony is not scheduled on Sundays, Solemnities, Christmas, Christmas Eve, the Friday or Saturday following Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, during the Season of Lent, the Triduum, Holy Saturday, nor Easter Sunday.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are scheduled on Thursday or Friday at 4:30 or 5:00 pm and normally take about 40 minutes. The entire wedding party must be at the church 10 minutes before the rehearsal starts and the rehearsal will start on time.
Marriage Preparation
The Church takes great care and concern in the preparation of each couple who is preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage.
When a couple becomes engaged, they are encouraged to request the “Blessing of an Engaged Couple”. This is a special occasion for families, who should celebrate it together with prayer, asking God’s blessing that the happiness promised by this engagement will be brought to fulfillment. The church prays that “they will grow in mutual respect and in their love for one another; (and) that through their companionship and prayer together they will prepare themselves rightly and chastely for marriage.” (“Order for the Blessing of an Engaged Couple”). The Blessing takes place during Mass. The couple must contact the parish office to schedule the Blessing.
Butte Catholic Community North offers a Marriage Preparation Class titled “Better Together” by Dynamic Catholic. This preparation course is offered in February – March. The other option for Marriage preparation is the “Engaged Encounter Weekend”. All couples must complete one or the other option before the Ceremony will take place.
Music for your Marriage
Please contact the parish office for an approved list of musicians and cantors before planning any music. The parish musicians should be your first choice. Musicians charge for their service and it is not included in the payment to the parish.
Music is an essential component in the celebration of marriage, and the participation of the assembly in the music is a necessary expectation. The texts of music chosen are to come chiefly from Scripture and liturgical sources. Music used at liturgy is to be clearly identified as prayer for all who gather and must be integral to the rite it supports. Therefore, many popular songs are inappropriate for use at Catholic Rite of Holy Matrimony. “Favorite songs” and the like usually are more appropriate at the reception.
A Cantor who sings at regular Sunday Catholic Liturgies is required for the marriage ceremony.. A Cantor must lead the congregation during the sung parts of the Liturgy. Recorded music cannot be used.
The Liturgy
The celebration of the Rite of Holy Matrimony in the church is the celebration of a sacred moment in the parish community. The adequate preparation of the marriage Liturgy is an important aspect of the celebration of marriage.
The model for the Rite of Holy Matrimony Liturgy is the parish Sunday Liturgy. Like any Liturgy of the church, it involves full, active and conscience participation of the people in prayer and song. The environment for the Rite of Holy Matrimony Liturgy should be simple, attractive and prayerful.
The Liturgy of the Word is centered around the Scripture reading, the sung Responsorial Psalm, the sung Gospel acclamation and the homily. Scripture readings, Responsorial Psalm & the Gospel acclamation must be selected from the “Together for Life” booklet that will be provided to you by the parish. The proclamation of the Word of God is a necessary element of the Rite and so readings from other sources are not used at this time. Readers must be chosen with care. They must be firm believers in the Word of God and be able to read well and with conviction. Preferably they are Lectors or Readers in their own parish.
Wedding Planners
Wedding planners don’t have a place in a Catholic Order of Holy Matrimony. It is best to let them focus on your reception. The Pastoral Associate will coordinate the Order of Holy Matrimony at the church. The pastoral Associate will also conduct the rehearsal.
Flowers and Decorations
Our “historic” church buildings are beautiful settings for any Liturgy. Very little is needed to enhance the beauty of these churches. The following guidelines have been provided to help you as you prepare for the celebration of Marriage.
The Altar Table or Main Altar may not be decorated, nor may things be placed upon or around it, with the exception of a bouquet in front of the Altar. The bouquet must not be taller than the top of the Altar table.
Two flower “standards” are available in the sanctuary for additional floral pieces.
Floral decorations or bows placed on pew ends may not be attached by tape or command strips/hooks. No hurricane lamps or candles are permitted in the aisles. Canopies cannot be constructed over the pews or aisles.
Because the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is what unites the two families, a Unity Candle, Sand Pouring, etc. are not a prescribed element of the Rite of Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church and therefore it is not permitted during the Celebration.
Large candelabras are not permitted in the sanctuary. Church furnishings and fixtures may not be re-arranged or removed without consultation and approval of the parish. Seasonal decorations (Advent, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, Christmas & Easter) may not be removed or changed. Please note that the decorations for Christmas are in the church until the Baptism of the Lord and Easter until Pentecost.
Real flower petals are not allowed. Synthetic flowers petals may be used but must be picked up once the Liturgy has concluded.
Because of safety issues, runners may not be used on the aisles.
Balloons are not appropriate decorations for the church and are better suited for the reception venue.
Dressing Rooms
Both St. Patrick and Immaculate Conception Churches have a room available for the bride and bridesmaids to gather and dress. We are unable to provide changing rooms for the groomsmen and advise that they arrive at the Church already dressed for the celebration. We respectfully request that no food or drink be brought into the Church proper.
Alcohol Beverages
Consumption of alcoholic beverages prior to the Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage is strictly prohibited. It is the responsibility of the couple to inform the wedding party of this regulation and to comply with it. Alcoholic beverages of any kind are not permitted in the Church or on Church property. Any infraction of this policy will result in the automatic forfeiture of the deposit and the expulsion of anyone who is inebriated, including members of the wedding party.
Care of the Buildings
St. Patrick and Immaculate Conception Churches are a holy place of prayer and therefore must be regarded as such. With this in mind, a prayerful atmosphere is expected during the rehearsal, prior to the Marriage Liturgy and after the Liturgy. Please assign one or more of the wedding party to clean up the dressing area, vestibule and pews following the Ceremony in preparation for the next Liturgy. Please note that the use of rice, confetti, birdseed, and flowers are considered a safety hazard and are not permitted.
Fees
The fees specified for your Rite of Holy Matrimony Liturgy help defray the cost of the services of the Parish Staff as well as the expense of maintaining the facilities, lighting, utilities, etc. Couples often ask whether it is appropriate to make a monetary gift to the Priest who celebrate their Marriage. It is certainly customary and many couples find this a good way to express their thanks, although it is not required.
There are three fee schedules at St. Patrick and Immaculate Conception Church: $350.00 for registered parishioners who are contributing to the church (either by time or treasure), $700.00 for registered non-contributing parishioners and $1000.00 for non-parishioners. To be classified as a registered, contributing member of the parish you must have been registered and contributing for at least one year prior to scheduling the date of the wedding. A parish staff member will help you determine your status should there be any questions. A save the date deposit of $100.00 is due when you come in to schedule the date (this will be applied to the final amount due). A refundable $250.00 cleaning deposit is required for all Marriage celebrations whether you are a parishioner or not. All fees must be paid in full one (1) month before the ceremony.
The refund will be returned within 30 days assuming you have complied with all of the policies and procedures, including the paying of the fees according to your agreement, maintaining the churches so that they are clean and observing the no alcohol policy.
Please note the payment fees is not considered paying for the Sacrament or renting of the Church building for the celebration of the Sacrament. The fees are to offset the rising costs of maintaining the church buildings and to cover the costs associated with the parish staff who assist the couple.
Photography for the Marriage Ceremony
The church is available for photographs 1 hour prior to the ceremony and 1/2 hour after the ceremony.
Please have your photographer contact the parish office 1 week prior to the ceremony to speak with staff about proper procedures regarding the church & liturgy.
OUTDOOR SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY POLICY & FEE SCHEDULE
Diocese of Helena Suitable Place for Wedding Approved by Bishop George Leo Thomas Interim Revision effective June 1, 2015
The understanding of the Church is that the parish Church is the appropriate place for the celebration of marriage involving a Catholic party (whether this celebration is a wedding or a convalidation). However, there may be circumstances for which permission may be requested to utilize another “suitable place.” This document guides requests for such permission – which must always be requested in writing on a particular case basis.
Fundamental: The nature of the place needs to be consistent with a religious celebration.
♦ The following are considered suitable places for which permission may be sought. This is not an exhaustive list – there may be other places for which a request for “suitability” may be made. The “Rite for celebrating marriage outside of Mass” or the “Rite for celebrating marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptized person” (from the Rite of Marriage) is used in these circumstances. The guidelines of Sing to the Lord are to be followed.
♦ Certain non-denominational chapels (such as Soldier’s Chapel at Big Sky – which also requires permission and delegation from St. Joseph Mission, Big Sky; and St. Timothy Chapel at Georgetown Lake – which also requires permission and delegation from the Anaconda Catholic Community).
♦ A non-Catholic Church building (when this is a Catholic wedding ceremony: the priest/deacon presides, uses the Catholic Rite for marriage outside of Mass or for a Catholic and an unbaptized person, receives vows, etc.)
♦ Appropriate outdoor sites, providing there is an approved indoor location available, in light of the temperamental weather in Montana.
♦The following are examples of places which are not suitable for the celebration of a wedding. This is not an exhaustive list.
♦ The Our Lady of the Rockies statute near Butte; a former Catholic Church that no longer belongs to the Diocese; or the premises of Legendary Lodge.
♦ Any place where alcohol is served as a matter of course (such as night clubs, bars, casinos, dining establishments, and the like).
Procedure to Obtain Permission: The priest/deacon who will officiate or the parish priest/administrator requests the permission in writing (usually directed to the Vicar for Canonical Services). The request includes: a letter from the couple making the request and giving reasons for it; a letter from the priest or deacon who will officiate outlining th pastoral reasons for the request, assuring that quality marriage preparation is being given, and making a recommendation regarding whether to grant the request; and a letter from the parish priest/administrator indication concurrence with the request and giving permission/delegation for the wedding to take place in that parish. The suitable place permission will be granted or denied in writing and this letter along with a copy of the request should be included in the pre-nuptial file.
St. Patrick and Immaculate Conception Parishes
Outdoor Wedding Policy
St. Patrick and Immaculate Conception Parishes strictly adhere to the Diocese of Helena Policy on a Suitable Place for a Wedding. In addition to the policy of the Diocese of Helena the polices and guidelines for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in the Parishes of St. Patrick and Immaculate Conception in Butte, Montana will be followed.
If a couple has requested to be married in an outdoor ceremony, permission from the Diocese, Parish and Parish in which the venue is located must be obtained. Ultimately, permission must be granted by the Diocese of Helena before the Wedding Ceremony can take place.
Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies can take place at the following times in Butte Silver Bow County 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. Any venue outside of Silver Bow County (St. Timothy Chapel, etc.) can take place at 11:00 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. The Rehearsal will be scheduled at 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. on Thursday or Friday.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Our Lady of the Rockies Chapel, the former St. Lawrence and St. Mary Churches and any venue where alcohol is served as a matter of course (such as night clubs, bars, casinos, dining establishments and the like) are not suitable sites and permission will not be granted.
NO ALCOHOL MAY BE SERVED BEFORE OR DURING THE RITE OF HOLY MATRIMONY
Outdoor Wedding Fee Schedule
$100.00 Save the Date Deposit (will be applied to the fee)
$500.00 Wedding Ceremony Fee for venues* located in Butte Silver Bow County
$700.00 Wedding Ceremony Fee for venues* located outside of Butte Silver Bow County
**This fee is the parish fee and doesn’t pay for or include a venue fee. Couples are responsible for all venue fees)