"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." (CCC 1601)
To those who have discerned the vocation of marriage - congratulations! St. John XXIII welcomes fully initiated Catholics (those who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation) to prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony, or marriage.
Getting Married at St. John XXIII
As Catholic Christians, we believe that God does more than bless the marriage. It is God who calls a man and a woman to each other in marriage. It is God, therefore, who makes the first move. He shares with us His love and life. It is because of God's unbounded love for us that we learn to share this love with one another. God calls couples to a special love for each other and they share this love in lasting fidelity. We call this special union of love Marriage.
We believe that Marriage is much more than a legal contract between a man and a woman. It entails more than rights and obligations; promises and commitment. Marriage is a sacrament! This means that God is made real and visible through marriage. The union of marriage reflects the union of Christ and the People of God, the Church. The love that Christ shares with all of us is thus reflected in and made visible through the union of husband and wife.
Our goal in offering preparation for marriage is to do whatever we can to help the engaged couple realize a wonderful, grace-filled, and loving marriage, which will endure no matter what the future brings.
All the guidelines and policies we set forth have been carefully developed to better ensure a truly beautiful and grace-filled wedding, and even more importantly, a blessed and happy marriage.
How and when can I choose my wedding date?
Marriage is a lifetime commitment and an indispensable vocation. Preparation is essential, and preparation, including careful discernment, takes time. We ask that couples contact the parish at least six (6) months prior to setting a wedding date. It is suggested that couples plan their wedding far enough ahead so that the date for the church is FIRST, and then reception hall plans are worked around that date. This is not a problem if plans are made far enough in advance.
With the initial filing of a Marriage file, a folder is created for the couple. While waiting for the required documents to be completed, the couple can, if they wish, choose and secure a date by paying a non-refundable deposit of $100. This amount will serve as part of the fee charged for preparing the marriage process. The chosen date will be confirmed after documents are received by the parish secretary and are confirmed by the priest.
How much is the fee?
Fees are given to the parish for the use of the facility and to professionals for their services rendered. The wedding Mass fee is $400.00 for registered parishioners and $500.00 for non-parishioners.
Checks must be made payable directly to St. John XXIII, and the Church fees must be paid in full 30 days prior to your Wedding Ceremony. The above fee ONLY covers the use of the Church facility. To reserve your wedding date, we will need a $100 deposit. This will be deducted from your total fee. Please keep all of your receipts.
For a convalidation, the fee is $150 for a weekday Mass and $400.00 for a Saturday Mass. Checks must be made payable directly to St. John XXIII, and the Church fees must be paid in full 30 days prior to the convalidation ceremony. The above fee ONLY covers the use of the Church facility. To reserve a convalidation date, we will need a deposit of $100. This will be deducted from your total fee. Please keep all of your receipts.
What if I need to postpone or cancel my wedding?
If, for any reason, the wedding or convalidation needs to be postponed or canceled, the fee will be reimbursed, with the exception of the initial deposit of $100. The wedding file can also be released if desired, with the exception of the prenuptial interview questionnaire. Should there be a change of date or of church location, please notify us so that we can assist in that process.
What documents do I need before my wedding?
In order for us to complete your marriage file, we will need the couple to obtain the following documents:
1. A current copy of your baptismal certificate. This means you will need to call the church where you were baptized and request that they send you an updated baptismal certificate dated within the past six months. For churches in Mexico, please click here for a list of churches, addresses, and phone numbers.
2. If Confirmation and Communion information is not noted on your baptismal certificate, you will need to request current copies of these as well. While the church of Baptism should have this information, it is not always forwarded or recorded. If this is the case, you will need to contact the church where you received Confirmation and First Communion and request the copies from them.
3. Any other documentation needed will be determined following the initial interview.
It is preferable to have all of the above documents in hand before making an appointment with the parish priest and setting a wedding date.
Contact Information
Mayra Tranquilino - Parish Secretary
(909) 822-4732