Marriage

All couples preparing for marriage at St. Lawrence Martyr Church are required to meet with one of our priests to assess your readiness for marriage, to set the date in the church calendar and to begin the process of Catholic marriage preparation. (In some circumstances it is also possible to have one of our deacons celebrate your wedding, particularly in cases where only one party is Catholic.)

In addition to meeting with your priest/celebrant, you will be required to participate in a Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend, and to complete a FOCCUS Premarital Inventory.

Who may be married here?

In order to be married in the Catholic Church, at least one of the parties must be a baptized Catholic; ideally one who has completed all sacraments of initiation.  Also, while we do have some availability to Catholics living outside the boundaries of St. Lawrence Martyr, please understand that preference will be given to active, registered parishioners of St. Lawrence Martyr and to those living within parish boundaries.

What times are available for weddings?

Weddings in the parish church are generally celebrated at 5:00pm on Fridays and at 1:00pm on Saturdays. It is not our practice to celebrate weddings on Sunday.

What is the cost?

Please refer to the wedding guidelines book linked above.  Donations and fees are outlined there. If you need more detail prior to your first meeting, please call Susan Roberts at 310-540-0329, ext. 223.

What is the availability of the Chapel for weddings?

The parish center chapel may be made available for very small weddings and wedding convalidations at the discretion of the priest or deacon celebrant.

For those planning a wedding outside the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:

We are available to assist you with your Catholic marriage preparation.  This will include completion of the required prenuptial inquiry form and collecting the required documents from you. There is no charge for this service, other than those charges normally associated with marriage preparation at St. Lawrence Martyr, such as the Engaged Encounter Weekend Retreat fee and the Archdiocesan paperwork processing fee. As with weddings celebrated at St. Lawrence Martyr, preference is given to active and registered parishioners and those living within parish boundaries.  We ask that you approach us at least six months prior to your planned wedding date.

Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend devoted to preparing couples to commit themselves to the sacrament of marriage. The weekend, presented by married couples and a priest, takes place at local retreat centers in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Completion of the weekend retreat fulfills the marriage preparation requirements of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Read more…

For more information, contact the Pastoral Center at 310-540-0329.

Catholics believe that marriage comes as a gift from the hand of God.

The Catholic vision of marriage is rooted in Sacred Scripture and is expressed in the teachings and practices of the Church. It has these main elements:

• Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love
• Marriage opens a couple to giving life
• Marriage is a way to respond to God’s call to holiness
• Marriage calls the couple to be a sign of Christ’s love in the world

If you need resources for your marriage please see below –

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

“For Your Marriage” http://www.foryourmarriage.org/

The Bishops launched the National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage in 2005 to call attention to the meaning and value of married life for the Church and for society. The crowning achievement of the Initiative was the Bishops’ 2009 pastoral letter, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.

Examples :Daily Marriage Tips; Blogs; Excerpts from Amoris Laetitia;  Natural Family Planning

“Marriage: Unique for a Reason” http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/

Marriage: Unique for a Reason offers resources to assist with the education and catechesis of Catholics on why marriage is unique and why it should be promoted and protected as the union of one man and one woman. 

FAQ’s; Blogs; Pope Francis Corner; Videos

World Wide Marriage Encounter – 

LA West Web Site:   http://www.ilovemyspouse.net/

Local Weekends : ♥ August 4-6, 2017; ♥ November 3-5, 2017

World Wide Marriage Encounter Web Site:   http://www.wwme.org/

The Marriage Encounter Weekend offers married couples a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It is an opportunity to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God.

For more information, contact Brian & Lindy Wynne at 310-483-1937.

RETROUVAILLE –

A program to Help Couples Heal and Renew their Marriages

http://retrouvaille.org/

CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENT:                

CFM “Program Books”

St. Lawrence Chapter of Christian Family Movement 

The Christian Family Movement (CFM) at St. Lawrence Martyr Parish is an organization of families growing together and helping each other recharge Christian family values. CFM has touched the lives of a great many of our parishioners over the years, fostered lifelong friendships and a mutual support system for the families here, and its fun! CFM activities consist of monthly small group adult meetings, large group family events and many opportunities for social outreach.

For more information, contact Mary and John Poprac at 310-375-9242,or by email.

Los Angeles Archdiocese Office of Family Life 

Marriage Preparation Engaged Encounter (CEE)
Marriage and Family Enrichment  Natural Family Planning (NFP)
Ministry to the Widowed (NAIM)   Ministry to Separated and Divorced

Other Social Media Resources

The Five Love Languages 
Dr. Gary Chapman:  How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate

Save your Marriage before it starts Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot
Devotions: Videos; On Line educational Materials

Thriving Families  –
Dr. John & Clare Yzaguirre- Marriage and Family Practice