St Marys Catholic Parish Geelong

Sacraments

BAPTISM
Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at 12.00 noon, and also the 4th Sunday of the month at 1.30pm. To book a Baptism, please contact Sr Anne Lourey on 5222 1977.

Sr Anne is available Tuesday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Baptism Preparation Classes:
You will be required to attend this meeting which is held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at the Parish Centre, 150 Yarra St, Geelong.

Permission for Baptism:
If you live outside of the boundaries of St Mary's Parish, written permission MUST be provided by your local Parish Priest BEFORE a booking can be accepted. It is, of course, preferable that baptisms are held in the parish faith community where the child or adult baptismal candidate lives.

Candles and Stoles:
A small decorated candle and a stole are necessary items for the baptismal ceremony. These items can be purchased from the St Mary's Stall, at the front of the Basilica, or from the 'Wing and A Prayer' Bookshop, Malop Street, Ph:5221 4451.

Baptism Offering:
It is customary and appropriate, on the day of the Baptism, to offer a contribution to the priest following the ceremony. This offering is in support of the parish - an average offering is $50-$100.

Mass Attendance:
Baptism is the beginning of the faith development of your child. It is not "a little piece of magic". Therefore the practical example and support of parents is critical if the Sacrament is to be fruitful. If you are not attending Mass on a regular basis, the Baptism of your child creates a perfect opportunity for you to re-assess the value of the Catholic faith for you personally, and what you will be offering your child for their faith growth.

Godparents:
A Godparent is a "sponsor", therefore should be a member of the organisation which the child is joining. The Godparents' role is to support the child in the development of the Catholic faith. Therefore, one Godparent MUST be a Catholic who has been confirmed. It is most desirable and appropriate that Catholic Godparents be people who attend Mass regularly. All Godparents should be baptised in a Christian denomination. The child needs one, preferably two, Godparents - and in special circumstances three is acceptable.

CATECHETICS

Sunday Classes for children in Government Schools, 10.00 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.
Contact Sr Anne Lourey

WEDDINGS

If you are planning a Wedding at St. Mary of the Angels Basilica ...

When may Marriages Be Celebrated?
Marriages are normally celebrated on a Saturday, at 12noon, 2.00pm and 4.00pm

No Sunday weddings are held at St Mary's, but other days can be arranged, with the following exceptions: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and those occasions when the Basilica has been reserved for other Parish functions.

Documents Required:
Both Bride and Groom must obtain the following documents so that the marriage papers can be prepared by your Celebrant

Government Requirements:

1 - Notice of intended marriage - Usually the Celebrant for your wedding will help you complete this Form. In some circumstances it may be necessary to arrang efor another Celebrant do do this. The form is to be signed by both parties, at least one month prior to the wedding.

2 - Birth Certificate or current passport - Both parties require an official certificate showing the date and place of their birth and the registration number. If necessary, a Birth Certificate can be obtained from a Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Persons born in Australia require a birth certificate, persons born outside Australia may use their passport.

3 - Declaration of freedom to marry - This must be signed before the Celebrant prior to the wedding, normally fa few days before the marriage.

Church Requirements:

1 - Baptism certificates - If both parties are baptized they will both require a Baptism Certificate.

For a marriage to proceed at St Mary's Basilica, at least one of the parties must be a baptised (Roman) Catholic.

2 - Pre-nuptial enquirey form - This will be filled in with the priest who is preparing the couple for their marriage.

3 - Application for a dispensation - This will be required when one of the parties is not a Catholic. The priest preparing the couple for their wedding will prepare and handle the necessary application.

4 - Marriage preparation programme - Very suitable programmes are run by Catholic Care. The priest helping the couple plan their wedding will provide information about these.

Parish arrangements:

1 - Booking the Church - This should be done well ahead of the planned wedding. You have a better chance of securing your preferred ate and time if you make your booking early.

2 - Offering for use of the Church - $700, $350 needs to be made before the booking can be confirmed. The balance due three months before the wedding.

$100 of the above is not refundable in the event of a cancellation.

3 - Celebrant - You are very welcome to have a priest other than one from St Mary's officate at your marriage. If you would like a priest from St Mary's to be the celebrant please indicate on the Booking Form.

4 - Nuptial Mass Or Ceremony - The type of Church ceremony is decided upon by the Bride and Groom in consultation with the Celebrant. The Bride and Groom will be given the opportunity to choose Scripture Readings and Prayers as part of the ceremony.

R.C.I.A.
(Rite of Christian Initiation as an Adult) (becoming a Catholic)
Courses are run for people interested in joining or re-joining the Catholic Church
Contact: Lynne Creece

5 - Wedding Booklets:
St Mary's Parish does not offer a printing service but is happy to recommend "Confetti & Candles" for booklet preparation and printing. Contact Pam on 0414 839 611. Booklet covers are also available from The Word bookshop, 364 Pakington Street, Newtown Ph. 5222 2228.

6 - Rehearsal - Rehearsal day and time will be arranged with you to take place just prior to the Wedding.

7 - Flowers - Arrangements for flowers should be made through the Parish Office - Phone 5222 1977. $50 of your contribution will be directed towards the flowers. Because of the large number of weddings at St. Mary's, it is not always possible to meet the needs of each couple in this regard. When two or more weddings are booked on the same day, every effort will be made to arrange helpful compromise suitable for all.

8 - Music -The choice of music for your wedding should be in keeping with the sacred nature of ceremony. It is best to check your choice of music with the Celebrant before you have finalised your selection with your musicians.
The church has CD and tape player, and an excellent sound system.

Or you can arrange for the Church organist to play at your wedding. Frank De Rosso, (Parish Organist & Director of Music) 5243 6166. Check with the Celebrant if you wish to involve other musicians or singers. Payment for organists, singers and other musicians is arranged directly with them.

9 - Photographs, videos and Lighting - The taking of photographs and the use of a video camera is acceptable but it is requested that the photographers and camera operators are kept to the side of the sanctuary (raised, carpeted area) and do not interfere with the ceremony or distract the participants. Photographers should be discreet and speak to the celebrant before the ceremony.

10 - Confetti - Please advise your guests (when sending out invitations) that confetti, rice or anything similar, should not be thrown in or around the Basilica or in the grounds. We want you to have a clean and tidy Basilica, but we also want the same for other couples and the Sunday congregations whose support keeps the Basilica operating.

11 - Church Grounds - The parish gardeners endeavour to keep the Church grounds in good condition. We ask that you ensure that your guests do not park cars on the lawns.

12 - Consumption Of Alcohol - Consumption of alcohol in the Church grounds is not permitted. We ask that you advise your wedding party, photographers and car drivers of this matter before the wedding day.

If you would like any other information about weddings at St Mary's Basilica, the staff in the Parish Office (Telephone: (03) 5229 1977) will be happy to help you.