Sacrament of Marriage

Dear Friends,

Congratulations! Our Lady of Ostrabrama Parish rejoices in your plans to enter into the Sacrament of Marriage. This following online booklets for a Full Mass or Marriage ceremony are designed to guide you in the proper celebration of the Sacrament. May God Bless you as you begin to plan your lives together. Full Mass Booklet / Marriage Ceremony Booklet

In order to prepare properly for the sacrament, your marriage should be scheduled at least six months in advance of the celebration. If you have a priest/deacon relative or friend whom you wish to perform the ceremony, he is most welcome to do so. I simply ask that he contact me for proper delegation.

WEDDING TIMES:

FRIDAY 4PM and 5:30PM

SATURDAY 12 NOON and 2PM

INTERFAITH MARRIAGE – In the cause of an interfaith marriage, proper dispensations must be obtained and the Catholic party must promise to do his/her best to maintain his/her faith and to share that faith with his/her children. If one of the parties is a non-Catholic Christian, that person should bring a copy of his/her original Baptismal certificate and obtain an affidavit signed by two witnesses (parents or close relatives) that he/she has never been married before. Such an affidavit should also be submitted by any non-baptized individual.

LETTER OF FREEDOM – If you are not registered to our Parish, a LETTER OF FREEDOM TO MARRY you in our Parish from your home Parish should be presented to Fr. Joe or other Priest.

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE – Catholics must obtain a recently dated Baptismal Certificate (i.e. dated within six months prior to the wedding date). This may be obtained from the Church of your baptism upon request.

PRE-CANA PROGRAM - Participation in a diocesan-approved marriage preparation program is required to help with your spiritual preparation for the sacrament of marriage. We will help arrange this with you. To view upcoming Diocesan programs to go www.drvc-faith.org and click on Marriage and follow the prompts.

Another option you might be interested in is the marriage preparation offered by the Engaged Encounter of Long Island. Please check out their website at www.engagedencounterli.org if you would like like to register.

You can also do Pre-Cana course at your home parish or any Roman Catholic parish at your convenience.

MARRIAGE LICENSE – A valid New York State Marriage License is necessary. This may be obtained from the office of any Town Clerk in New York State. Marriage licenses are valid from 24 hours after issuance to 60 days from the date the license is obtained.

CHURCH OFFERING – On the occasion of your wedding we ask for an offering of $700.00 if you are the registered members of our Parish, and $1,000.00 if you are not members of our Parish. Please. Have cash or check ready at the rehearsal. This offering will cover the maintenance cost of our Church building.

ORGANIST – we have our own organist. Her offering is $150.00. Please call to make a selection of music with her at 631-603-5799 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All musical selections must be cleared through our organist Mrs. Kelli Naugles. Music in Church is sacred music. Secular songs are not appropriate in Church during ceremony. If you choose to have your own organist – please pay $150.00 to our own organist because weddings are part of her salary. Absolutely no CD, tape or other recorded music during liturgy.

SINGERS – we have three singers (cantors) in our Parish. The offering for the singer at your wedding is $150.00. Please make a contact through our organist Mrs. Kelli Naugles. Please refer to the following link for song suggestions: Wedding Song Suggestions

All arrangements in other languages should be discussed with Fr. Joe or other Priest.

REHEARSALS – usually rehearsals are schedule day before wedding. Please be on time for the rehearsal and bring the following:

-Civil Marriage license

-Separate check or cash for Church, organist and singer at the rehearsal.

-Liturgy selection sheet from Together for Life book indicating your selections of prayers and readings with names of any readers and any other options (wedding candle, roses to mothers etc.).

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE – In order to enter into the Sacrament of Marriage with the proper disposition, it is strongly recommended that you will go to confession before wedding. This sacrament is celebrated in our Parish every

Saturday from 4pm to 5pm or you can go to any priest in the Roman Catholic Church.

PUNCTUALITY – IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOUR WEDDING BEGIN ON TIME. The groom, best men and ushers should be at the Church at least on-half hour before the scheduled wedding. The bride and her attendants should be at the Church at least fifteen minutes before the ceremony. Please inform your photographer: there will be no “re-staging” of the ceremony once it is over and photographers must stay out of the sanctuary area(on the steps and above).

FLOWERS – The Church does not provide flowers. Flowers and pew decorations may be arranged through the florist of your choice. Decoration should be done about 1 hours before wedding.

FLOWER PETALS, RICE, BIRDSEED AND RUNNERS - For safety reasons, there will be no throwing of rice, flower petals, birdseed, etc., and no runners are permitted down any of the aisles. This is to ensure the safety of those attending the wedding and to keep the Church clean and presentable. After the ceremony bubbles may be thrown outside the Church only.

If you have any questions, please discuss them with me at the time of the interview or call me at a later time.

GOD BLESS YOU

Fr. Michael Bartholomew - Administrator

Fr. Ryszard Ficek - Associate Pastor