Holy Matrimony

Congratulations on your Engagement! This is a special and unique time for you, your families, friends, and your entire parish community. This is a time of new beginnings, love, promises, and hope. We, the Kenosha-Racine County Line Catholic Parishes are blessed and encouraged by your willingness to make this permanent commitment of life and love to each other at the Alter of God. 


Your wedding celebration will be a grace-filled and special moment in your lives. The Church invites you to celebrate your wedding in the context of Christian Prayer. Indeed, so important is marriage in Christian Life that it has been instituted by Christ as a Sacrament.

Two gold wedding rings resting on an open book, one engraved “Love”

"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. (CCC1601)


Great care is taken to see that the prayer for this special moment is reverent, graceful, beautiful, and open to the moment of God's Spirit among us. As much care should be taken in planning and preparing for the liturgy as is taken for planning all the other aspects of your wedding. Our celebration of the Sacraments is always rooted in listening to the Sacred Scriptures so we can be nourished and strengthened by God's Word. 



THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROCESS


  • Step 1 - Initial meeting with the Director of Pastoral Ministries.  This will begin your marriage preparation.  He will meet with you to get to know you and learn what is needed for preparation.  You will receive our "K-R Catholics Wedding Guidelines", and the marriage preparation process will be explained.  You will also receive your liturgy planning booklet, "Together for Life".
  • Step 2 - Meet with the priest or deacon for the "Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire" to discuss your answers.  When your freedom to marry has been established, your Parish Expense Fee should be paid and a wedding date can be confirmed.
  • Step 3 - Meet with the K-R Catholics "Prepare Enrich" couple.  Take the "Prepare Enrich" Inventory.  This will involve several meetings.
  • Step 4 - Obtain baptismal certificates from your parish of baptism.  This must be done within the six months prior to the wedding date.
  • Step 5 - Attend the Archdiocesan "Joy-Filled Marriage" Program at least three months prior to the wedding date.  LINK TO REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE "JOY-FILLED MARRIAGE" PROGRAM
  • Step 6 - Meet with the Director of Pastoral Ministries to plan the Wedding/Ceremony in the "Together for Life" booklet, approximately three months prior to the wedding.
  • Step 7 - Meet with the Director of Liturgy and presider to plan your wedding liturgy, approximately 1-2 months before your wedding date.  Set the date and time for the wedding rehearsal.


May God Bless You during this special time of reflection and preparation.


For more information regarding the sacrament of Marriage, please get in touch with the Parish Office at (262) 878-3476.