Parishioner Requirements for Weddings at Saint Lucy’s

• Either the bride or the groom needs to be a parishioner of Saint Lucy’s Parish.  A parishioner is defined as an active, registered, member of the parish who either resides in the parish boundaries (zip code 02842) or who lives in a neighboring community but has chosen to register and participate in the life of the parish. 
• Note: If you grew up here and moved away, you are no longer a parishioner.  If your mom, dad, grandparents are life-long members but you don't live here, you are not a parishioner.
• Parishioners wishing to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage should make arrangements directly with Father Codega several months before the anticipated date of their wedding. 
• Church arrangements should be secured BEFORE the reception venue.
• Couples are also required to fulfill all obligations of the Diocese of Providence Marriage Preparation Program.
• It is expected that the couple be active members of the parish, taking their faith and sacramental life seriously, they will attend Mass weekly, as they prepare for this sacred occasion and a life together.
• Certificates of Baptism, (First Communion and Confirmation) are required of all Catholics and should be obtained from the Church where the you were baptized, requested within six months of the couples engagement to marry.  Start by contacting your parish of Baptism, since all other sacraments in other churches should be recorded at your baptismal parish.  If not located there, then contact the other parishes directly.
• The couple should make the calls themselves - this is not a job for your mom or grandmother (although they'll want to help).
• For mixed faith marriages, the non-Catholics parties will need a birth certificate and Baptismal certificate (when Baptism has occurred) should be presented.

• Non-Parishioner / destination weddings, are accepted only as a courtesy and a service to the practicing Catholic couple and should not be routinely expected.  Non-Catholic weddings are not permissible at St. Lucy's Church
• It should not be expected that the priest at St. Lucy's will be available.  Unless there is a strong tie to St. Lucy's parish (ie: you grew up as a parishioner and / or your family and friends are here),  couples will be required to secure the ministerial services of a Catholic Priest or Deacon, in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church, to witness their wedding at St. Lucy's.  He will need to send a letter to ST. Lucy's stating his  commitment to assist the couple on the day of the wedding.  
• The commitment letter from you priest/deacon needs to be received by St. Lucy's prior to any arrangements being confirmed at St. Lucy's.  No Priest - no wedding!
• If your chosen priest or deacon is not from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, he will need to submit a letter of good standing from his bishop.
• According to Canon Law, couples must work with their home pastor for Sacramental preparations, fulfilling any requirements of their home diocese. 
• Their parish priest, preparing the intended couple, will complete the Marriage Preparation Packet and forward all materials to the Diocese of Providence’s Chancery Office for Diocese of Providence approval, who in turn will forward materials to St. Lucy’s Church on behalf of the couple and priest preparer. 
• Because you paperwork has to go from your priest to your diocese, from your diocese to Providence diocese, to St. Lucy church, the sooner the process is started the better.  No paper work - no wedding.
• For non-parishioner weddings, the offering is $1,000 and does not include arrangements with your liturgical music ministry. This offering is for the Church, not for the priest. An additional offering to your priest or deacon is customary.

• The services of the organist and soloist are to be arranged directly by the bride and groom. (Separate guidelines regarding Wedding music are provided by the Church)
• All payments to the Church will be finalized two weeks prior to the wedding.