About Marriage
At St. Alphonsus Church, we joyfully celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage as a sacred covenant and a lifelong commitment of love between a man and a woman, rooted in God’s divine plan. Through the exchange of vows before God and the Church, a couple becomes a visible sign of Christ’s love for His people. Marriage is not only a personal union but also a holy vocation and a source of grace that strengthens the couple to live out their calling together.
Marriage is more than a beautiful ceremony—it is a sacrament that transforms the ordinary moments of daily life into opportunities for holiness, mutual service, and deeper communion with God. In a world that often treats commitment lightly, the Church upholds marriage as a sacred and life-giving bond, meant to reflect the faithfulness and self-giving love of Christ. Through the ups and downs of life, the grace received in the sacrament empowers couples to love each other with patience, forgiveness, and joy.
Marriage Preparation Process
We are honored to walk with couples as they prepare for this sacred commitment. The Church desires that every couple enters into marriage thoughtfully, faithfully, and with a strong spiritual foundation. To support this, St. Alphonsus offers a comprehensive marriage preparation process, which includes:
- Initial meeting with a priest or deacon
- Completion of a marriage preparation program or retreat
- Guidance on the sacramental and spiritual meaning of marriage
- Planning for the wedding liturgy
- Support in navigating important practical and relational topics
Couples are encouraged to contact the parish at least six months in advance of their desired wedding date to begin the preparation process. This time allows for thoughtful planning, spiritual readiness, and a meaningful celebration of your union in Christ.
Prayer for a Married Couple
O God, who in creating the human race
willed that man and wife should be one,
keep, we pray, in bond of inseparable love
those who are united in the covenant of Marriage,
so that, as you make their love fruitful,
they may become, by your grace, witnesses to charity itself.
Through Christ our Lord
Amen.
We welcome registered parishioners and those with family connections to St. Alphonsus to celebrate their wedding in our church. All weddings at St. Alphonsus are celebrated with reverence, beauty, and joyful hope for the life you are building together.
If you’re newly engaged or beginning to consider marriage in the Catholic Church, we invite you to reach out. Our parish community is here to pray with you, support you, and walk beside you as you prepare for a life of love and faith together.