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St. John Fisher  Pre-Cana | Marriage Liturgy Checklist
 
 Congratulations on your engagement!  We, the priests of St. John Fisher Parish, are happy to help you prepare for your commitment to married life as well as your wedding day.  The following information is provided to help you with the planning process as we all want your wedding to be a joyous and worship-filled celebration.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if we may be of assistance or guidance. 
(773/445-6565)

Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation is a practical means of providing couples with some useful tools and Catholic education to help them prepare not only for a wedding, but also most importantly, for a happy and lifelong marriage.  Some guidelines are identified by and carried out through the Archdiocese of Chicago and some are implemented in the parish where the wedding will take place.
        
Generally, the process begins by setting a mutually agreeable wedding date and time with our parish before any other arrangements have been made.  Most wedding plans begin six to twelve months in advance; wedding dates at St. John Fisher must be confirmed with one of the priests at least six (6) months in advance of the desired date.  A rehearsal should be scheduled early on as well.

It is a serious expectation that Catholics preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage are registered parishioners and that regular Sunday Mass attendance is an integral part of their faith life.  We believe that a commitment to the Sacraments will only enhance your relationship with God and a parish community and will be helpful in leading a fulfilling Christian life.

The preparation process continues with the couple’s participation in a Pre-Cana seminar and a few meetings with one of our priests to discuss your preparation and to fulfill church documentary requirements.  It is the responsibility of the couple to schedule and attend a Pre-Cana seminar; the Certificate of Completion you will receive should then be given to the consulting priest at St. John Fisher.

Church and Civil Requirements
1.  Each Catholic must submit a newly issued, original copy, Baptismal Certificate.  This certificate must be issued within six (6) months of the wedding date.  Photocopies or certificates issued more than six months before the wedding are not acceptable.  Contact your church of baptism to request a newly issued certificate.  If you were baptized here at St. John Fisher, we already have your sacramental records and you will not need a new certificate.

2.  A prenuptial questionnaire will be completed when you meet with the priest arranging your wedding. In some cases, marriage affidavits may be required and the priest will discuss this with you.  Banns (public bulletin announcements) may be published by the parishes of the bride or groom or both.  A St. John Fisher Certificate of Marriage will be mailed to you after your wedding.

3.  A Cook County Marriage License must be obtained from the Cook County Clerk’s office no more than sixty20(60) days and no less than one day prior to your wedding.  The closest office to our parish is on Kedzie Avenue at 165th Street in Markham, or at 10220 South 76th Avenue in Bridgeview.  The license must be given to the priest celebrating your wedding.  The celebrant will complete it after the ceremony and return it to Cook County; you will then need to contact Cook County for a civil marriage certificate.
 
Parish Information 
1.  Weddings at St. John Fisher are celebrated at the following times:  Fridays in the late afternoon or early evening and Saturdays at  12:00 noon, 2:00 PM, or 5:30 PM.  Please ensure that you and the members of your wedding party arrive at the church in time to begin the ceremony at the scheduled time, especially at a 2:00 PM Saturday wedding, since photography must be completed by 3:30 PM to allow for preparation for the 4:00 PM parish Mass.

2.  Rehearsals may be scheduled the evening before the wedding or earlier in the preceding week, and that time should be arranged with the consulting parish priest.  If a visiting priest is celebrating the wedding, he is expected to conduct the rehearsal as well, and either a deacon or a parish priest will assist him with the necessary information.  Please note that rehearsals may not be possible on certain days or times because of othe r parish activities.

3.  The customary wedding offering for the use of the church and the services of our Parish Music Director is $400.00; checks are payable to St. John Fisher and should be remitted no later that the rehearsal.
 
4.  Our parish priests generally perform marriage ceremonies for our parishioners.  If you prefer a visiting priest, please inform the priest you are consulting from St. John Fisher that you are planning to bring in a visiting priest.  Visiting priests are most welcome.  If you are celebrating an interfaith wedding and wish to invite a non-Catholic minister to participate along with a priest, please discuss this with the priest you are consulting with from St. John Fisher as well.  A gratuity is customary for your wedding celebrant(s).
 
5.  If you wish the parish to provide our own experienced altar servers for your wedding, you must notify the consulting parish priest at least one week in advance and we will provide two servers.  Servers will not be provided unless specifically requested.  A gratuity is customary for the servers and is a job best handled by the Best Man.
 
6.  There are certain times of the year when the church is decorated for particular liturgical seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Thanksgiving.  All church decorations remain as they are and may not be moved.  These include plants, candles, altar cloths, banners, etc.  You may want to discuss with your consulting0Apriest what to expect in church seasonal decorations depending upon the timing of your wedding.
 
7.  Unity candles are permitted, but must be supplied by the couple (along with the candleholders).  The unity candle will be placed on a table in the sanctuary, but may never be placed directly on the altar.
 
8.  Arrangements for flowers and/or a center aisle runner are made with your florist.  The length of the church aisle is 130 feet.  Please note that a runner is not necessary.  However, if you choose to have one, please consider, for safety reasons, the rental of a cloth runner.  Plastic or other artificial materials tend to tear or slide, creating a safety hazard for guests.
     Most couples choose a flower arrangement placed on the floor immediately in front of the altar.  Flowers may not be placed on wire stands or other types of pedestals in the sanctuary.  Pew flowers, without the use of tape, are permitted, but must be removed immediately after the ceremony.  Please assign a family member or friend to take care of this if the florist will not be available to handle it.  We do not allow the following; candles attached to the pews, floral arches, and the throwing of anything, including flower petals, inside the church.  The throwing of rice, birdseed, or other small objects is not permitted outside of the church for safety reasons.