Sacrament of Marriage
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You're engaged; congratulations!“The love of a man and a woman is made holy in the sacrament of marriage
and becomes the mirror of God’s everlasting love.” -Rite of Marriage
What a joyful and exciting time as you prepare to say "Yes" to each other forever before God in marriage. During this time of preparation, there is more to do than choosing an appropriate setting for the ceremony and photos. A Catholic wedding is a sacrament and the goal of the Church is to help couples form strong and lasting marriages. Preparation is required to help equip you in giving your life over to the other and to live happily together for the next 50, 60, however many years you are blessed to have together.To be married at St. John or St. Thomas Aquinas
The engaged couple should contact the parish at least NINE MONTHS prior to the desired date of the wedding (and before setting an exact date!). You must speak with the Marriage Preparation Coordinator to determine your eligibility to be married at St. Thomas Aquinas or St. John Church and Student Center and available dates. (You can not set a date until you meet with a priest or deacon). Any couple wishing to be married by a Catholic Priest or Deacon, must get married in a Catholic Church or location sanctioned by the Church (the Alumni Chapel).Wedding Preparation
Every couple is required to participate in a preparation program for the very solemn and everlasting promise that you two are making.
Just because you are getting married in East Lansing, doesn't mean you are required to do preparation in East Lansing.
There is a wedding prep fee to cover the cost of the material provided. $150 + 5.25 process fee (if paid online- the link is at the bottom of this page-after the form). To avoid a fee you may make a check payable to St. Thomas Aquinas and mail it to 955 Alton Rd East Lansing, MI 48894 or drop off payment during regular office hours.Once you register BELOW, Patrick Paddock will call you within 2 business days to connect you with a member of our clergy for the initial meeting and email you the pre-marriage inventory.
Marriage preparation is expected to last approximately one year. Timing will be determined after meeting with a member of our clergy. *Weddings can not be officially scheduled until after meeting with a member of our clergy.
You are expected to do your preparation at you current, local parish. It does not have to match the preparation here.
Once you know where you are going to prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony, please fill out the form below to get on the calendar for either St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Church & Student Center, or to have a Clergy for weddings at the MSU Alumni Chapel.
For general questions, please call Patrick Paddock at (517) 337-9778.Alumni Chapel Weddings
Alumni Chapel weddings will be wedding ceremonies only- we will not do full Mass at the chapel. A Clergy will be assigned, or you may use a clergy of your choice.
You can assure your parents and grandparents, this is still a sacramental marriage ceremony.If you would like to get married at the Alumni Chapel,
you must contact them directly at:
517.355.0155 or union.msu.edu/weddings/alumnichapel
Saturday ceremonies must begin by 3:00pm because there is 4:30pm Mass at St. Thomas and staff need to be able to be back there on time.
Weddings at the Alumni Chapel have the same 6 - 9 month preparation requirement that a church wedding has.
You DO NOT have to do your preparation in East Lansing.
You are expected to do your preparation at you current, local parish.
Once you know where you are going to prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony, please fill out the form below to get on the Presider Calendar for the MSU Alumni Chapel.
Scheduling of Deacons is done approximately 3-6 months
before the wedding date.