Newly Engaged
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, we are thrilled to be walking alongside you as you prepare for The Sacrament of Marriage!
Marriage is a special blessing, a gift from God! Through marriage we are given the opportunity to form a loving family that can give birth to new life.
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Mark 10:7-9
Marriage Preparation Process – Newly engaged couples will prepare for their Sacrament of Marriage through an 8 month process.
Civilly Married
Convalidation is a rite within the Catholic Church allowing a civilly married couple to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. A convalidation is needed when one or two baptized Catholics enter a marriage that is invalid, and later decide that they would like to have a valid sacramental marriage recognized by the Catholic church.
Couples seeking this celebration will complete a marriage prep process adjusted to their circumstances. Please contact Kathy Reuter to schedule and appointment to meet with Fr. Jose Noriega to discuss your options, kathy.reuter@stmarylittleton.org.
Annulments or Decree of Nullity
A divorce is a legal recognition that there was an existing and valid legal marital contract, which the legal divorce now dissolves.
This is different from an annulment or “decree of nullity” from the Catholic Church, which certifies that despite the fact that there was a wedding, despite the fact that the parties believed that they were married, and due to various reasons, a valid bond never existed.
If you are divorced but want to be free to marry, you must begin the process.
For those that are divorced, but want to be free to marry, you must begin the annulment process. This process can seem overwhelming at times, but you will be supported throughout the process by your personal advocate, assigned by the parish. Upon completion of the paperwork, it will be submitted to the tribunal of the Church, who will evaluate your request. If you receive a positive judgement, it will confirm that each individual from the union is free to enter into a valid marriage.
An annulment is needed and must be granted to any individual — Catholic or non-Catholic — that has been previously married in a Church or by a civil authority, including common law marriage, and is wanting to celebrate the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church.
For further questions regarding the annulment process please contact Kathy Reuter, kathy.reuter@stmarylittleton.org or 720-283-4730.
St. Mary has a Divorce Recovery Ministry which is offered to anyone who has been through a divorce and desires an opportunity to understand their experience in the light of faith and to heal from the inevitable wounds that accompany the end of a marriage.
For more information on Divorce Recovery Ministry, please contact Cheryl Cummins cacummins@comcast.net or 303-721-7259
Marriage Preparation
Congratulations! St. Mary Catholic Parish is here to guide, teach, and support you on your journey through the sacramental preparation of your marriage.
Marriage Preparation is an 8-month process where you will explore the purpose of marriage, having Christ at the center of your relationship, the gift of sexuality, natural family planning, and prayer as a couple. We want to be sure you are equipped with a solid foundation that lasts a lifetime.
With Christ at the center of your relationship, you’re sure to have a marriage filled with joy, and one that sets an example for generations to come.
Marriage Preparation Process
Initial Meeting: Our Marriage Coordinator will set up a meeting with you and your future spouse to discuss the marriage preparation process, begin the necessary paperwork for your marriage file, and set your tentative wedding date. You and your spouse will also be assigned to a member of our clergy who will then contact you to meet with you.
FOCCUS Inventory: An inventory session will be set up for you as a couple. Upon completion you will have follow-up sessions with a mentor couple. These sessions aim to facilitate communication between you and your future spouse.
Marriage Preparation Program: St. Mary offers 5 Marriage Preparation Formation classes which are held once a month. Here you will meet other couples and be guided by the experience of other mentor couples on how to live a Christ centered marriage. Other marriage prep programs are available within our Archdiocese, for more information contact our Marriage Coordinator.
Natural Family Planning: You will need to complete one approved NFP course. Courses can be found at the Archdiocese of Denver https://archden.org/eflm/nfp/ website. Please note that you are required to do at least 3 months of charting.
Final Meeting: As a couple, you will meet with the priest who has been assigned to marry you to sign the final paperwork and plan the liturgy for your wedding.
Reconciliation: Catholics are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before their Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. This invaluable sacrament of grace and healing is a good way to start your marriage.
Contact our Marriage Coordinator at least 8 months before the wedding to schedule a meeting and to receive your Marriage Prep Packet. You can reach Richard Hamilton at evangelization@stmarylittleton.org or 720-283-4729.