Corpus Christi Parish Online Giving About Us Faith Formation Resources and Information Sacraments more Holy Matrimony Marriage is a Sacrament of Service which actively reflects the love of God "just as Christ loved the Church" Eph. 5:25. If you are interested in being married within the Church, contact the parish office to set up a meeting with the pastor. Weddings should be scheduled at least 6-12 months after the initial meeting with the priest. Please visit some of the helpful links at the bottom of the page. Marriage Preparation Because Christian marriage is a sacrament, the Catholic Church wants couples to be well-prepared. Dioceses and parishes offer marriage preparation to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life; and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. Marriage preparation programs take different forms. Some couples attend a weekend retreat; others are matched with a "sponsor couple"; and others participate in a series of marriage preparation classes offered by their parish or diocese. The important thing for engaged couples to keep in mind as they check numerous items off their pre-wedding "to-do" list is the well-known adage, "Your wedding lasts a day, but your marriage lasts a lifetime." The Church encourages couples to invest time and energy into the all-important work of preparing for their married life together. Marriage in the Church The Church has a rich tradition in its teaching on sacramental marriage and covenantal union. The Old Testament authors write of God making a covenant with the chosen people and promising them that they will never be forsaken. The New Testament authors write of Jesus as the new covenant and compare the relationship of Jesus with the Church to the relationship of a husband and wife. The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership for the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. Marriage License Information Online Catholic Wedding Help Diocese of Madison Marriage Prep Page USCCB- Marriage: Unique for a Reason © 2015 by Corpus Christi Parish. Proudly created with Wix.com