WEDDING PREPARATION INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES:

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1.    REGISTER IN THE PARISH:    At least one individual of the couple must be catholic and a registered, active, contributing member of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish for at least three (3) months prior to initiating the process for matrimony.   An active member is one who becomes involved by favoring the parish with their prayers, regular mass attendance and active participation in parish activities, and shares their talents and financial assistance according to their means.  If neither party is a registered member of St. Robert Bellarmine and you wish to be married here, please contact Fr. Groner, 573-336-3662 or submit the form below, for information.

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2.   REQUIREMENTS:   Both individuals must be "free" to marry.  Neither can be currently married to another party.  If either of the parties intending to marry has been a part of a previous civil or religious marital union, no date can be set for a future wedding until the previous bond has been set aside through a process conducted by the Matrimonial Tribunal.  This process, ofter times referred to as the "annulment process" can take more than one year by itself.  Please let Fr. Groner know in the very first meeting if any previous marital bonds exist.

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3.   PREPARATIONS:  The couple must attend six (6) sessions with Fr. Groner in preparation for the marriage.  Marriage preparation will include completing a relationship assessment instrument, e.g. FOCCUS, which assesses the couple's communication skills in varying areas of their relationship, as well as surfacing attitudes about marriage and the Christian faith.  The results of the assessment are discussed with the couple. 

Couples are encouraged to attend an "Engaged Encounter" at the Diocese...for information please go to http://www.diojeffcity.org/Ministries/Communities/FamilyLife/EngagedEncounter.html.

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4.   SCHEDULING:  Upon completion of preparations with Fr. Groner, the date of marriage and details of the ceremony itself will be discussed.