St Anthony's, Holy Spirit, St Joseph's, St Mary's

Weddings

Welcome

Welcome to our Parishes, and congratulations on your upcoming Nuptials.

The Sacrament of Marriage can be celebrated in any of our four Churches.


For availability inquiries and to book your wedding date in our church, kindly contact our parish office at (03) 94842907 during our office hours (Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM). Alternatively, you can reach us via email at adminant@cam.org.au.


Sacrament of Marriage

The sacrament of Catholic marriage involves the entire life of spouses as they journey together through the ups and downs of marriage and become more able to give to and receive from each other. Their life becomes sacramental to the extent that the couple cooperates with God’s action in their life.


Catholic teaching holds that the grace of this sacrament brings to the spouses the particular help they need to be faithful and to be good parents. It also helps a couple to serve others beyond their immediate family and to show the community that a loving and lasting marriage is both desirable and possible.


A Catholic wedding must include at least one partner who is a baptised and confirmed Catholic. Please always check with the Parish Priest as there may be other considerations.


Contact


All marriages need to be booked by appointment only after meeting with the our priest via the Parish Office.

Below are the guidelines for booking the Parish church.


Prior to the wedding day, ideally at least six months in advance, it would be beneficial to schedule a couple of meetings (if possible) to ensure all aspects of this wedding day are organized smoothly. We follow a structured process:

 

At the first meeting with your celebrant, Certificates required for each partner:

​


  • Copy of Birth Certificates - full Certificates with registration number
  • Any Deed-Poll for Change of Name (if applicable)
  • Naturalisation Certificate (if applicable)
  • Baptismal Certificates with confirmation date, and not older than 6 months prior to the Marriage date (not only Catholic but all other Christian Religions as well)
  • Photo identification: current drivers licence or passport.
  • All couples are required to give at least six months Notice of Intended Marriage and attend a Pre-Marriage Preparation Course.​


  1. Pre-marriage courses are strongly recommended. Your celebrant will guide you in your choice. These courses/workshop are an invitation to plan for your marriage, not just your wedding day. FOCCUS Program: this is a pre-marriage education program for individual couples. Please find the link: https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/workshops/foccus/
  2. Second Meeting: After completing the FOCUS program, we will have a second meeting to finalize details such as the order of service and the content of the wedding booklet. Your celebrant will assist you in choosing the prayers, readings, and music for your ceremony. A draft of your wedding booklet will need to be submitted to the Parish Office for approval prior to printing. Printing of the booklet is the couple’s responsibility. Our copyright licence must be quoted together with acknowledgement for all hymns used in the booklet. Please contact the Parish Office for these details.
  3. Rehearsal: Approximately one week before the wedding day, we will organize a rehearsal to walk through the ceremony with you.


The Church provides two forms of the Marriage Rite:

  • Marriage outside of Mass (Wedding Ceremony)
  • Marriage within Mass (Nuptial Mass)


To differentiate between a Wedding Ceremony and a Nuptial Mass, a ceremony contains similar components to a Nuptial Mass but does not have the Liturgy of the Eucharist or Communion.


The priest or deacon marrying you will assist you in choosing the right ceremony for you and planning the details of the ceremony.


Please note no confetti, flowers, rice or other such material is allowed to be thrown inside or outside the church.


For the booking fee for the church/priest- which includes the church and stipend for the priest. Please contact our Parish Administration for details: financeant@cam.org.au 




SACRAMENTAL OFFERING


  • ​For the Church is $800.
  • Support the Clergy $350.


If you transfer online, please put your name in the reference line.


The church account:


Parish of Holy Spirit and St Anthony’s Church Account

BSB: 083 347

Account: 573 502 200

 

St. Mary’s Church Account (Thornbury) 

BSB: 083 347

Account: 557 931 064

 

St. Joseph’s Church Account (Northcote) 

BSB: 083 347

Account: 663 182 650



Presbytery account (stipend for the priest):


St Mary’s Presbytery Account 

BSB: 083 347 

Account: 857 260 792


Note:


Dates when weddings cannot be booked in our parish:


  • Palm Sunday to Easter Monday - any year
  • 01 November - any year (Solemnity: All Saints)
  • 02 November - any year (All Souls Day)
  • 24 December to 26 December - any year


To ensure the sanctity and reverence of the liturgical seasons, please be aware of the following:

  • Lent:
    • Floral arrangements may be limited during Lent.
    • Some decorative elements may be removed or covered during this penitential season.
  • Advent/Christmas:
    • The church will likely retain its Advent/Christmas decorations, including the Nativity scene and Christmas tree, during this period.

We understand that your wedding is a special occasion. However, we kindly request your understanding and cooperation in respecting the liturgical significance of these seasons.


We wish you all the best with the planning of your marriage ceremony.