The Sacrament of Marriage is one of the sacraments of vocation. It is a profound statement of love between a man and a woman. It is also a reflection of the couple's commitment to God and their desire to celebrate this special day in the Catholic Church.
- Contact the Parish Center to begin planning a church wedding. No other plans should be made prior to contacting the church.
- Arrangements must be made at least six months in advance.
- Weddings are scheduled on the following days and times:
- Fridays - 3:00, 4:30, and 6:00 PM
- Saturdays - 11:00, 12:45, and 2:30
- Sundays - Limited Availability, please consult the priest or deacon.
Nuptial Masses are not available on Sunday.
Other days and times may also be available.
- Either the bride or the groom must have some connection to St. Sylvester's parish. One must either live within the geographic boundaries or have celebrated a sacrament at St. Sylvester's.
- Participation in a Pre-Cana program is necessary.
Requirements by the Church for permission to be married outside the church:
- Permission can only be granted if the marriage is between a Catholic and a non-Christian. (2 Catholics cannot be married in a catering hall.)
- Completion of all necessary paperwork, including dispensation (to be explained by priest or deacon).
- Successful completion of Pre-Cana or other marriage preparation program.
- Marriage ceremony must take place indoors. Outdoor Marriages are not permitted in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Tents, gazebos, or covered patios are not considered permanent buildings.
- There can only be one set of vows witnessed by either priest or the rabbi. The vows may not be shared between the two clergymen.
- A valid civil marriage license must be present at the time of the wedding.
Requirements for priest/deacon to be present at the ceremony:
- The day and hour of the wedding must be at a mutually convenient time for all involved. Priests and deacons are not available for Sunday morning or early afternoon weddings.
- The rabbi must be willing to work in cooperation with the priest or deacon in sharing the scripture reading, prayers, and blessings that are part of the ceremony. However, the vows may not be shared.
- The Catholic party must be demonstrated in a clear way; such as the Catholic serves as an usher at one of our Masses or through consistent use of contribution envelopes. If the Catholic party does not live in St. Sylvester's, a written statement from their home pastor/parish stating he or she actively and regularly participates in Sunday Mass. A "Freedom of Marriage" letter or verification or registration is not sufficient.
- The wedding ceremony must be the first event at the catering hall. The ceremony cannot take place after a cocktail hour.
- In addition to the church contribution, it is appropriate to offer a stipend to the priest or deacon. However, if there are financial difficulties please discuss this with the priest or deacon. No one is ever denied a church wedding because of finances.
The Catholic Church recognizes a marriage as long as the Diocese of Rockville Centre issues a dispensation. It is not necessary for a priest or deacon to be present for the marriage to be valid in the eyes of the Church. A rabbi can officiate with the proper permission.
The Pre-Cana program is an opportunity for the engaged couple to discuss some of the dynamics of a life-long commitment. Our program is lead by married couples. A typical Pre-Cana group is compromised of four or five engaged couples along with two of our team couples. They present different situations and issues from married life. The hope is that the engaged couple comes to a deeper appreciation of their intended spouse through reflection and conversation.
St. Sylvester's offers a Pre-Cana program twice a year. One session takes place in the fall, the other in late winter or early spring. There are six meetings in each program. The first session begins at the Parish Center on Sunday afternoon. The next four gatherings take place in the home of one of our team couples. These weekly session are on the same night of the week. For example, you may meet on the four Tuesday evenings following the opening session. The final session takes place at the parish on a Sunday morning. It begins with one of the parish Masses and is following by the concluding meeting in the Parish Center.
If our parish program is not convenient there are programs offered through the diocese. Many of these programs take place over a single weekend. Your priest or deacon can supply you with a schedule and registration form. The diocesan programs cost $250 - $350. You will need to book early as these programs often fill months ahead of time. There is no additional fee for our parish program.
Our program is open to couples that are not getting married here, on a space-available basis. You can register through the parish office. However, please understand that our first commitment is to couples that are getting married at St. Sylvester's. Any additional space will be opened approximately two weeks before the session begins. There is a fee of $75 if the wedding is not taking place at St. Sylvester's.