It is very important to understand that the Sacrament of Matrimony, or Catholic Marriage, is very distinct from the view of marriage often presented today by society. Catholics believe that marriage is a call to service of one's spouse, where a man and a woman commit to bear each other's crosses as Christ did for each of us. They give themselves as a mutual gift: a man and a woman seeking to serve the needs of his or her spouse, by putting the spouse's good before his or her own.

"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 baptised persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (CCC 1601)

The Catholic Church teaches that a man or woman can only find meaning and purpose by offering a gift of himself or herself to other people, much as Jesus Christ gave Himself to each and every one of us when He died on the cross. Matrimony is one way to offer a gift of yourself, and in this way, a Catholic Marriage symbolizes God's relationship with us, the Church.

Because of the gravity of entering into marriage, completion of a marriage preparation course is required. Please contact Stacey Knepper at least 6 months in advance to begin planning your wedding.