Presider
The normal presider at our wedding celebrations is a priest or deacon at Sacred Heart Parish.

Visiting Presider
Visiting clergy are most welcome. If you desire a visiting priest, you may arrange it with a pastoral staff member of Sacred Heart. It is presumed for non–parishioners that you are inviting a priest or deacon friend or relative as presider at your wedding. A letter from your proposed presider is required indicating his commitment to the date and time before your reservation is confirmed. The visiting priest of the archdiocese should then prepare you through normal archdiocesan marriage preparation programs. If he does not live in the diocese, the parish will be happy to prepare you for marriage.

While priests vary in their presidential style, guidelines for music, church decorations and photography are to be adhered to in all wedding celebrations at Sacred Heart Parish. We ask that you do not embarrass a visiting priest/deacon by asking him to make exceptions in these areas.

Altar Servers
Please make arrangements with the parish office if you wish to have altar servers. A monetary gift should be made directly to each altar server for their time. If you want a particular server from the parish, please contact the altar server and his/her family directly and then have them inform the parish office.

Lector
In Catholic liturgy, the lector does not just “read the Bible.” In this special role, the lector helps to make Christ present among the gathered community of faith. You may choose two lectors, one to proclaim the Old Testament passage, and one to proclaim the New Testament reading which you select. (The priest or deacon proclaims the gospel). Our parish liturgical guidelines suggest that the lectors you choose:
• be a practicing Catholic
• received the sacrament of Confirmation
• have the skills necessary to read and proclaim well
A third person (Catholic or non-Catholic) may be chosen to announce the intentions for the General Intercessions.

Gift Bearers
You may have two people bring forward the gifts of bread and wine during the preparation of the gifts if you celebrate mass at your wedding. Bread and wine are the primary physical elements of eucharist, and should not be obscured by trying to fit in “gifts” such as chalices, patens, purificators, etc. to meet a desire for more participants.

Ring Bearers And Flower Girls
In choosing ring bearers and flower girls, please be realistic in the age of the child(ren) you choose. Young children often are frightened easily. We strongly encourage you to choose children who are well-suited for the task.

Musicians
Parish musicians are required for sacramental liturgies at Sacred Heart. Please refer to the next page for more specific information.