MArriage

Anyone who fits the criteria above and who resides within the territory of St. Stephen’s Parish – including the adult children of registered parishioners who may be living elsewhere. Those who live outside the parish boundaries but who are registered in the parish and regularly attend Sunday Mass here may also make wedding arrangements at St. Stephen’s A Catholic who lives in another community, province or country, who wishes to marry a non-Catholic resident of Cayuga must first contact his or her own pastor: he will be responsible for all the necessary documentation and preparations for marriage. Only upon agreement of the proper pastor, can a date for a wedding be arranged with St. Stephen’s Parish.

This is a situation which will have to be discussed with the priest in the initial interview. No date, however, can be set until it has been established that both parties (Catholic or non-Catholic) are free to marry according the ecclesiastical laws of the Catholic Church.

When the couple is ready to arrange a date for marriage, the bride or groom personally contacts our parish office to arrange an appointment with the priest. Our parish staff will not discuss the availability of dates by telephone, FAX, or email. Both bride and groom are expected to attend all appointments and marriage preparation sessions.

Weddings are usually done on Saturday. Marriages may be celebrated on weekdays at a time that is convenient for both the couple and the Parish. Sunday weddings are not permitted in the Diocese of St. Catharines, due to being the Lord’s day. The exact time will be discussed with the Pastor after the first meeting.

Parties who are baptized will be expected to provide a certificate of baptism.For Catholics the baptismal certificate must be recently issued from the parish of baptism. (This is because a recent certificate verifies not only baptism, but also the freedom to marry). A baptized non-Catholic Christian may bring a copy of their original certificate. If a party has been previously married, then the Decree of Nullity, Death certificate, or other appropriate documentation proving freedom to marry in the Catholic Church will also be needed. These documents are necessary before any arrangements for marriage can be finalized. A Civil Marriage License is required for every couple. This Civil License can be obtained at any City Hall in the Province of Ontario.