Holy Matrimony

He answered, “Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one’? So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (MATTHEW 19:4-6)

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. (CODE OF CANON LAW, 1055)

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God.

Wedding Request

Congratulations on your engagement!  Please read the following paragraphs carefully.  The information below will help you to determine whether or not the Church of St. Anthony offers what you are hoping to experience at your wedding liturgy.  Catholics who desire to remain “in communion with” (that is, “in good standing with”) the Catholic Church must prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony with a priest of the Catholic Church. The clergy here will make sure that you receive this preparation.

Who Is Eligible to Celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage:

To be married in the Catholic Church either the bride or groom needs to be a Roman Catholic who practices his or her faith and both parties need to be free to marry within the Catholic Church. Freedom to marry will be established at the first meeting with the assigned clergy. No wedding dates are given until this is established, so please do not book your reception hall until after the priest has established this freedom. You can contact the parish office for more information 715-588-3148.

For Those Who Are Married:

Issues of divorce, annulment, and marriage are complicated.  Rather than sharing partial and imperfect information that may confuse someone facing these issues, the best thing you can do is get the person with questions about marriage, divorce, and annulment to talk directly to the priest.  You might offer to accompany your family member or friend to the meeting with the priest if that would make it easier for your friend or family member.

At the Church of St. Anthony, our Priest is responsible for helping individuals and couples with these issues.  If anyone, parishioner or otherwise, ever has any question about these issues, they are invited to call the Parish office at 715-588-3148 or Fr. Maria Joseph Kodiganti 715-614-8058.