The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. –CCC1601
Are you considering getting married at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church? All interested parties must contact Tony Allen and schedule an information and introduction meeting to prepare for the sacrament of marriage.
Weddings require a six-month to one-year planning window in order to prepare properly for the sacrament. (The couple must be registered/participating in the parish for at least six months prior to requesting a wedding date, and completing a six-month preparation period.) All weddings are scheduled through the Parish Office.
Director of Faith Formation
(616) 935-8737
Email Tony
1. Meet with Tony
The first step is to contact Tony Allen to arrange marriage preparation and address any special circumstances. Once Tony has met with the couple, the date can be set with Pam Hill.
2. Meet with Fr. Dan to Schedule the Date & Reserve Church Facilities with Pam
3. Choose Music & Readings for Liturgy
Director of
Liturgy and Music Ministry
(616) 935-8744
Email Alex
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the general title for the scientific, natural, and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancy.
NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
Since the methods of NFP respect the love-giving (unitive) and life-giving (procreative) nature of the conjugal act, they support God’s design for married love!
Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with “the wedding feast of the Lamb” (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. Man and woman were created for each other.
By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ’s spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, “Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.”
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is an enrichment for married couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. It is also for priests and religious who want to strengthen their relationships with their church communities.
Retrouvaille Marriage Healing Weekend in September
Have you thought about separation or divorce? Do you feel lost, alone or bored in your marriage? Are you frustrated, hurt or angry with your spouse? Are you constantly fighting, or, do you simply shut down? Does talking only make it worse?
Find hope and rediscover healing and love with the help of Retrouvaille (pronounced re-tro-vi with a long i). This program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship.
The next Retrouvaille weekend is Sept. 17-19, 2021
For more information, to register, or to sponsor a couple, call 616-635-1046, email retrograndrapids@gmail.com, or visit retrouvaille.org.
