Welcome to the
Sacrament of Marriage
Welcome to the Marriage page of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grande Prairie, AB. We are honored that you have chosen to celebrate this special sacrament with us. Our goal is to provide a meaningful and faith enriching experience as you prepare for the sacrament of Marriage together.
Below you will find the steps and process that is usually taken to prepare for marriage in our parish.
Marriage in the Catholic Church requires a time of preparation, usually a minimum of eight months. As well as allowing for the collection of documents and the completion of certain requirements, this is also a time of discernment and reflection on the meaning of Christian Marriage.
Marriage preparation has three parts:
Hi, I’m Darlene
We will be working together to help you prepare for the sacrament of Marriage together as a couple.
1. Interviews
As a couple and individually you will meet with our Marriage Coordinator, Darlene Lemay as well as one of our parish priests. There are two interviews in which we gather all the documentation needed to proceed with the marriage celebration.
2. Mentorship
You will be assigned a mentor couple whom are parishioners from St. Joseph Parish. A resource book will be given to each of you to study and discuss with your mentor couple. Together, you will meet at a time that is convenient to both couples. Sessions are approximately 4 –5 meetings. You will be required to read the resource book that they receive before meeting with their mentor couple.
3. Marriage Prep Retreat Day
The third part of your preparation (which may be done before you meet with your mentor couple) is to attend a marriage retreat offered at St. Joseph, or participate in an Engaged Encounter Retreat (a weekend event held in Edmonton).
Marriage Preparation Resource
We will provide you with a resource manual called; “For Better and Forever”, Robert A. Ruhnke, C.Ss.R. It is designed to guide engaged couples through a deep, meaningful, and ongoing conversation about significant topics in which most successful married people engage.
Marriage Resources
For Better And Forever We will provide you with a resource manual called; “For Better and Forever”, Robert A. Ruhnke, C.Ss.R. It is designed to guide engaged couples through a
Marriage FAQ and Information
When it comes to getting married in the Catholic Church, it may seem confusing or you might be unsure of some of the things you can and cannot do. Below
Weddings At St. Joseph Parish: The Process
You may be wondering “what is involved in planning a wedding at the church?” Here you will find all of the information and step-by-step process in what you will need