Frequently Asked Questions about Weddings
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We do not regularly attend a church or parish, and I cannot find a priest who will marry us. What can we do?
One of us is (or both of us are) divorced and we do not wish to use the annulment process. Our priest has told us that we cannot be married in the church. Can you help us?
If we choose you to witness our marriage, will it be legal in the eyes of the state?
If we choose you to witness our marriage, will it be recognized by the Roman Catholic Church?
We want to be married in an outdoor ceremony, but our priest will only perform a ceremony in a church building. Will you perform an outdoor ceremony?
Will you perform ecumenical, interfaith or non-denominational ceremonies?
Do either or both of the parties need to be Catholic?
Do you witness same sex weddings?
Do you witness union celebrations?
How far will you travel to celebrate our wedding?
Where have you officiated wedding ceremonies?
Most Roman Catholic parishes require that you have at least some connection to it before they will allow you to marry there. If you would like, you could find a parish where you feel comfortable and approach the parish priest and explain that you would like to join the parish and that you have plans to marry. If it isn’t the right time to join a parish, I would be happy and proud to assist you by providing the blessing of God’s people as you begin your journey together. I assure you that you will be treated with respect, kindness and acceptance.
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• One of us is (or both of us are) divorced and we do not wish to use the annulment process. Our priest has told us that we cannot be married in the church. Can you help us?
For many reasons, marriages sometimes fail. If God blesses you by sending love into your life again, I believe that love is a sign of hope and gives you another chance to journey through life with a beloved partner. I welcome people who have had this additional chance for happiness and want to marry again as loving members of our human family who deserve another chance for happiness. I will bless your new union in the name of God’s people.
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• If we choose you to witness our marriage, will it be legal in the eyes of the state?
I am an ordained, Catholic priest. I left the active ministry in 1991, but I have been called back to ministry by CITI Ministries, a lay organization. (www.rentapriest.com) Because of that call, I am a recognized minister in good standing with the International Council of Community Churches (ICCC). I am recognized by every state in the nation to officiate at weddings. Since I am a minister of religion, your marriage will be legal in the eyes of the state.
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• If we choose you to witness our marriage, will it be recognized by the Roman Catholic Church?
The International Council of Community Churches and all other Christian denominations will recognize your marriage. Because I am no longer ministering within the Roman Church, however, I lack jurisdiction from that organization to witness marriages on its behalf. Your ceremony may well utilize some of the traditions of the Catholic Church if you choose to use them; but since I do not act as a minister for the church, the church will not recognize the marriage as licit.
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• We want to be married in an outdoor ceremony, but our priest will only perform a ceremony in a church building. Will you perform an outdoor ceremony?
Yes! I will be happy to witness your vows at a reception hall, home or any setting you feel is appropriate inside or outside. Your priest is limited by Canon Law that limits the setting for the celebration. You do not have to share those limits!
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• Will you perform ecumenical, interfaith or non-denominational ceremonies?
Yes! I will be proud to be part of any ceremony that reflects your love for each other. The presence of ministers of other faiths adds a wonderful sense of beauty and peace to the day that marks the joining of two lives.
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• Do either or both of the parties need to be Catholic?
Neither person needs to be a member of any particular religious persuasion, or an active member of a church. As long as you want to acknowledge the gift of love comes to all of us from God, I would be honored to call the blessings of God’s people on your union.
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• Do you witness same sex weddings?
Yes! The union of two spirits calls out for the community’s affirmation. I look forward to sharing that opportunity with all loving couples, their families and their friends. Together, we can plan the celebration that you have dreamed of.
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• Do you witness union celebrations?
Yes! If you choose to celebrate your love in a union celebration, we can create a wonderful ceremony that will give voice to the love that you are proclaiming to your community.
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• How far will you travel to celebrate our wedding?
I usually travel to locales throughout the New England area. Long distance travelling can be discussed.
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• Where have you officiated wedding ceremonies?
Here is a list of recent wedding venues:
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, Sudbury, MA
Old South Meeting House, Boston, MA
Gibbett Hill, Groton, MA
Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA
Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Harbor Hotel, Boston, MA
Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA
Regatta Club, Newport, RI
Cloud Hill, Warwick, RI
Wheatliegh, Lenox, MA
Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA
Tupper Manor, Beverly, MA
Willowdale, Topsfield, MA
Cambridge Sonesta, Cambridge, MA
Hotel Marlowe, Cambridge, MA
Chapel at West Parish, Andover, MA
Codman Estate , Lincoln, MA
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA
Peabody Essex Museum
Harvard Club, Boston, MA
The Inn at Peak’s Island, Peaks Island, Maine
Nonantum Resort,Kennebunkport, Maine.
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