Congratulations! Star of the Sea Parish shares the joy of your engagement.

Our parish churches are truly beautiful buildings for you to celebrate your important day.

Marriages may be celebrated at any of the six Churches within the parish, dependent upon availability. Weddings may be celebrated on any day excepting Sundays, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, between Christmas and New Year and on days when the Church has been reserved for other parish functions.

Policy

Marriages celebrated within the Churches of Star of the Sea Parish are celebrated according to the Rites of the Catholic Church. 

At least one of the parties to the intended marriage must be Catholic.

Both parties must be free to marry.

The Church’s pastoral role emphasises the importance of preparation for marriage within a faith community and with assistance of the community. Therefore, couples are encouraged to marry within the local parish Church of either spouse, preferably with one of the priests of that parish as celebrant.

If you would like to utilise any of other facilities such as a parish hall for your reception, please contact the Parish Office.

Celebrant

Priests of the parish are available for the marriages of parishioners of Star of the Sea Parish according to the Rites of the Catholic Church.

Couples of whom no party is a parishioner of the parish must seek permission from their own parish priest before the booking can be made. A celebrant from outside the parish may be chosen with permission of the Parish Priest.

Pre-Marriage Education

A time of preparation is essential for couples to participate in this sacrament freely and with a full knowledge of the characteristics and expectations of a Christian marriage.

Programs usually involve a relationship self-assessment and an exploration of your relationship with experienced marriage educators and counsellors. 

The priest will discuss the particulars of pre-marriage preparation with you further. Some options for pre-marriage education are linked here below.

Please Produce the Following Documents when you meet your Celebrant

• BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR FOREIGN PASSPORT – The law requires Australian born persons to present an original birth certificate.
• BAPTISM CERTIFICATE – A recently issued certificate is required in the case of all baptised persons. This can be obtained by contacting the church where the baptism took place. It is normal procedure to ask for a recently issued baptism certificate for marriage purposes.
• A PHOTO ID – A driver’s licence, passport, proof or age card or any other identification card needs to be produced.
• CONFIRMATION – You need to inform the celebrant if you have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• PRE-NUPTIAL INQUIRY AND NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE – Please organise a meeting with your celebrant to fill in these papers at least three months before the wedding. Birth, baptism and any other certificates need to be presented at this time.
• PERMISSION TO MARRY OUTSIDE OF YOUR PARISH/FREEDOM TO MARRY – Please organise to obtain a permission letter from your Parish Priest if you reside outside of the St James Parish boundaries.