Marriage
The Catholic Church distinguishes between a legal marriage and the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Marriage is regulated by the civil government that has certain rules that must be followed to make a marriage legal. On top of that, the Church views marriages not just as a legal contract, but as a sacred covenant. A covenant is a relationship that is permanent, and is only dissolved at death. Marriage is the sacrament that most closely imitates the love of Christ the bridegroom for His bride, the Catholic Church. For a man and a woman to come to this understanding and to learn to live this in their daily lives as a married couple is our goal for your marriage preparation process. And this process does take time.

Marriage Preparation
The marriage preparation process begins with a meeting with the priest where introductions are made and the wedding date can be confirmed. Law requires that you provide at least three months notice of your intention to marry with the Civil Registrar and the priest. It is strongly recommended that you take part in a Pre-Marriage programme. Accord, the Catholic Marriage Centre run several of these during the year.

The Church requires the following documents for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to be forward six months in advance of your wedding:

• Baptismal Cert (issued by the Church you were baptised)
• Confirmation Cert
• Letter of Freedom: If you have lived for more than six months outside of the parish you were born.

These are normally obtained from the parish in which you lived and simply states that there is no record of you having been married while living in that parish.

The following are the Civil Requirements for Marriage in Ireland:

• Make an appointment to meet with any Civil Registrar to give at least three months notice of your intention to marry in advance of your proposed date of marriage
• In preparation for the meeting with Registrar meet with your local priest, book the church and know the name of the priest who has agreed to celebrate your marriage.
• Make sure that the priest who has agreed to marry you is on the registered list held at the Registrar, if not ask the local priest to have him appointed as a Temporary Solemniser for your marriage.

You will need to following documentation for your meeting with the Registrar:

• Photo identity, (preferably a passport or driving licence)
• Names and dates of birth of two witnesses
• Name of the church where you wish to marry
• Date of marriage
• Name of priest who will officiate at your marriage

If either of you has been previously married you must provide the Civil Registrar with an original divorce decree or death certificate if widowed.

Fee €150

Make sure you receive the Marriage Registration Form (MRF) from the Registrar to show it to the priest.

You need to make a verbal declaration of no civil impediment before your priest and your two witnesses not more than two days before your marriage. This usually takes place just as you arrive in the sanctuary area on the day of your marriage.

You must return to any Civil Registrar's office the signed MRF/Form A, not later than 1 month after your marriage has been celebrated.  For more information on all requirements go to www.groireland.ie

Catholic Wedding Mass
The Wedding Mass is falls into five main sections:

1. The Introductory Rites
2. Liturgy of the Word Readings
3. The Rite of Marriage
4. The Liturgy of the Eucharist
5. Concluding Rite & Blessing

Each of these is divided into sub-sections, which are listed here. In each case you can select your favourite from 3 or more alternative forms or options. The full text of all your options and other aspects of the wedding ceremony can be found in The Complete Massbook Guide available at £1.99 (+50p p&p) from I.M.S., 62 Castle Byrne Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Tel: 01 2887578, or from IMS (H.O.), 3 Beaumont Place, Ballintemple, Cork, Tel: 021 295208.

Wedding Rehearsal
This is normally held during the week prior to the wedding. It is essential that the bride and groom, bridesmaid and best man, readers and all those saying the prayers of the faithful and those carrying up the gifts attend the rehearsal. Liaise with the priest for a suitable date and book the church for the rehearsal with the sacristan Mai Cass. Tel: 01 8160981 (9am-12 noon).

Church Offering
To cover expenses and running costs for the use of the Church there is a suggested offering/fee payable. The sacristan will inform you of this nearer the time.

Parish Office:
St. Paul's Church,
Ayrfield
Dublin 13
Tel: 01 8160984
Office Email:
parishofficeayrfield@gmail.com

Sacristy Tel: 01-8160981

Parish Priest:
Fr. Declan Blake
28 Glentworth Park
Ard na Gréine
Dublin 13, D13 C4A0
Tel: 01 8160 984