Matrimony

Contact Parish Office (812) 477-5405 at least six months prior to anticipated wedding date.

For details concerning celebrating a wedding at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, visit the following link: http://gsparish.org/weddings/

In a combined effort, the diocesan Tribunal, the Office of Worship, and Catholic Charities have created two marriage ministry documents:
1) Getting Married in the Diocese of Evansville (one page)
2) Marriage in the Diocese of Evansville FAQs (several pages)

Marriage Preparation & Enrichment

Engaged couples are asked to consult with Father Zach Etienne at (812) 477-5405 for marriage preparation.  Part of the preparation requirements include:

  1. Completion of FOCCUS survey with Father Zach.
  2. Participation in either the Joy Filled Marriage Mentor Couple program https://shop.ascensionpress.com/collections/joy-filled-marriage sponsored by our Good Shepherd Catholic Parish or the Unveiled marriage prep weekend https://www.evdio.org/marriage-preparation.html sponsored by our Diocese of Evansville.
  3. March 2019 began a change in diocesan marriage prep. process.  All engaged couples in the diocese who do not attend an Unveiled marriage prep weekend are to attend an Intro to NFP class titled, The Truth about NFP.  Now all engaged couples are to be guided to the diocesan classes https://www.evdio.org/natural-family-planning.html, which are designed to be:
  • Convenient: They will be presented across the diocese, one class per month.  They are approximately 45 minutes in length, with the opportunity to ask questions of trained professionals.
  • Factual: They will be based on the latest NFP data; dispel myths and misinformation about NFP; provide a grounding in the Catholic tradition
  • Consistent:  One program format will be taught by trained professionals

Watch the parish newsletter and bulletin for announcements for other marriage preparation & Enrichment opportunities. Email Father Zach for more information or complete the following Wedding Information sheet and return to our Parish Office:

Wedding Guidelines

  • Before setting a date and paying a deposit,  please contact the parish office to discuss Marriage Preparation with Fr. Zach.  No wedding dates are final until completion of first wedding prep session and FOCCUS survey.  
  • The Catholic Church provides a series of guidelines by which we determine the suitability of music for worship.
  • To ensure your desired music selections will enhance the dignity of your Christian marriage ceremony, please contact Melanie Baker, Director of Worship, at (812) 477-5405, extension 255 for consultation and final approval. Cost of musicians and singers available upon request.
  • No alcohol in the church either the night before or day of the wedding.
  • Due to liability, you may not throw anything outside church (birdseed, rice, confetti, grass seed, flower petals, balloons, etc.)
  • Aisle runners are required if your flower girl plans to drop real flower petals on her way down the aisle.
  • Unity & Memorial candles, small floral arrangements, and mother’s candles can be placed on the table near God’s Treasure Box. Good Shepherd Church does not supply these candles or holders. The two altar candles must remain by the altar. All candles used for the ceremony must have glass chimneys.
  • All seasonal decorations/flowers, such as Christmas and Easter, must remain up throughout the liturgical season. The Christmas season is from Christmas until the Baptism of Jesus, the third Sunday after Christmas, and the Easter season is from Holy Saturday until Pentecost.
  • Greenery and flowers currently being used in the church must remain in place. Any changes must be approved through Father Zach.
  • Unless there is a scheduling problem (i.e. a funeral Saturday morning), you may arrange to set up any special decorations Friday afternoon. Please schedule a specific time with the parish office staff for entrance into the church on Saturday.
  • Any decorations used in church during your wedding must be put up by you and taken down by you before Good Shepherd’s Saturday evening Mass (4:30 pm).
  • The time of your wedding ceremony can be no earlier than 12:00 PM (noon) or later than 1:30 PM.
  • Smoking, eating, and drinking, especially alcoholic beverages, are NOT allowed anywhere inside the Church building.
  • To help initiate your first marriage preparation meeting, please print and return the following Wedding Information and Guidelines PDF to the Parish Office at your earliest convenience:  GSCS Wedding Information and Guidelines PDF

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